April 17th – 21st, 2013
The Big NYAH 10th Birthday Co Cavan Traditional Music Festival
www.cavantowncomhaltas.ie

The NYAH festival is an event of international standing. Held over two months, it presents more than 600 performers and 100 events with concerts, artists in conversations, sessions, dances, workshops, forums, late sessions, acoustic jams, social dialogue and debate, an entire children’s session, Sean nós workshops, late night cabarets and special events. They have a brilliant Traditional music and Song music scene here in Cavan with events generally marked by a relaxed family friendly atmosphere, fine musicians and singers a plenty. If you have never been to a traditional music festival they highly recommend it as feast for the ears and good for the soul.
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April 5th – 7th, 2013

www.kenmareirishmusicfestival.com

The town of Kenmare is gearing itself up for the first ever Féile Neidín, Kenmare’s new annual Irish Music Festival. The weekend is taking shape nicely and we can all look forward a really exciting weekend both this year and for many more years to come. Events during the weekend include Concert performances, frequent sessions from lunch–time every day, workshops, instrument– making demonstrations, “Seafari session” boat trips, Céilís and other activities.
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March 22nd – 25th, 2013
www.inishowensinging.ie

In 2012 the Inishowen Traditional Singers’ Circle launched The Inishowen Song Project, a partnership with the Irish Traditional Music Archive funded under the Rural Development Programme (LEADER).
Now freely available online are recordings, videos, words & photographs of Inishowen traditional singers and songs – a treasure house for Inishowen families, and for singers, teachers, and researchers both locally & internationally. Over the weekend March 22nd–25th, 2013, From Granny to Google will celebrate the expansion of the project to host 500 songs from the Peninsula. They will gather organisations from Scotland, Ireland, and the USA to present similar digital projects and to highlight the growth of such resources now freely available online.
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March 21st – April 24th & 7th, 2013 www.comhaltas.ie/events

Since 2007 Comhaltas have organised a weekend of traditional music workshops, sessions and concerts in honour of the 19th century harper Patrick Byrne. This community festival is held annually on the weekend before Easter in Carrickmacross, Co. Monaghan.
Topping the bill this year is Brian Finnegan, one of the true pioneers of Irish music. Front man with the legendary Flook for over 13 years, he is “without doubt one of the World’s finest whistle players.” Brian will be joined by his band for the main festival concert on Saturday 23rd March, with full support, including Fermanagh’s dynamic box sensation Darren Breslin.
On Sunday March 24th the Salamanca Céilí Band will play for the sets from 3–6pm. Consisting of Gerard Butler, Stephen Doherty, Brona Graham and David Doocey, the Salamanca’s lift and driving rhythm are sure to have everyone up on their feet.
In a separate event to the main festival, Reel It In will play a special gig to mark the 150th anniversary of Patrick Byrne’s passing on Sunday April 7th. “Progressive and talented beyond their years” this special group features Fiddler of Oriel and Fiddler of Dooney winner Niall Murphy.
Finally, central to the Féile Patrick Byrne each year are the music workshops organised by CCÉ. Tutors so far confirmed include Brian Finnegan, Darren Breslin and Gerard Butler. Details for all events, including the annual Patrick Byrne lecture, sessions, workshops, art exhibition, heritage walk, céilí and harp recital, are available at www.comhaltas.ie/events, Facebook and Myspace.
For more information visit www.comhaltas.ie/events

Ceol na mBan is a new series starting on RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta on 9 February which explores the topic of women and traditional Irish music.

Presenter Méabh Ní Thuathaláin, a young fiddler from Belfast, spoke to a range of female musicians about their own experiences as women players in the tradition for the series of six programmes.
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www.gael-linn.ie
- musical gatherings hosted by GAEL LINN
Bewley’s Café Theatre, Grafton Street
6p.m. – 8p.m.
(Doors open from 5.45p.m)
TUESDAY, 19 FEBUARY 2013
Coming east along the road to us from counties Galway and Clare are BREDA ( fiddle, songs ) &
CLAIRE (Concertina) KEVILLE, with TERENCE O’REILLY (guitar) – great music from fantastic musicians !
ADMISSION: €15 (includes complimentary finger food)
Bar open/tea and coffee available
BOOKING ESSENTIAL ( LIMITED SPACE ! )
087/2547574/niamh@gael-linn.ie

Evening of Entertainment to Help Preserve Irish Music

www.irishfest.com

Milwaukee Irish Fest presents its 14th annual Green Tie Event, an evening of entertainment benefitting the Ward Irish Music Archives, on Saturday, March 2, 2013 at the Wisconsin Country Club, located at 6200 West Good Hope Road in Milwaukee, Wis. Proceeds from the event will support the largest public collection of Irish and Irish American music in North America.
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www.raglanroadirishpub.com

Guests can embrace their inner Irish and celebrate the most authentic St. Patrick’s Day festivities in town March 14-17 at Raglan Road Irish Pub & Restaurant.  Live Irish music, dance and authentic cuisine by Irish celebrity chef Kevin Dundon headline a spirited long weekend dubbed the Mighty St. Patrick’s Week Festival.
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www.thewillisclan.com

Bryan Kelso Crow, host of the nationally-distributed public radio series Celtic Connections, produced and distributed by WSIU Public Broadcasting in Carbondale, Illinois, has announced his selection of Album of the Year for 2012. This year’s honor goes to the Nashville, Tennessee family band The Willis Clan for their album entitled Chapter One: Roots.

“This CD is an amazing debut effort.” says Crow. “The six oldest children of the Willis family created and recorded this music in their home, showing a masterful understanding of Irish musical traditions while adding new songs and tunes to the tradition. Congratulations to Jessica, Jeremiah, Jennifer, Jeanette, Jackson, and Jedi for their top-notch professional work on this all-original album. And congratulations to their mother, Brenda, and their father, Toby, who played keyboard and produced and engineered the album along with cousin Chris Wright, who played percussion. I hope there will be many more chapters to come, especially knowing that there are 6 more younger children in the family who are also growing up with this music.”
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Intimate show in Club Chonradh na Gaeilge on Wednesday, 30th Jan 2013. This is a great chance to here one of Ireland’s most interesting voices and percussionists shine in a solo live gig. The surroundings of Club Chonradh na Gaeilge provide the perfect setting for Rónán. Stories and anecdotes about the songs, how they were inspired and written, whether sad humorous quixotic or crazy, add another layer to the experience for the audience. A chance to hear some eclectic new material for the first time along with the old favourites. Be sure not to miss out as very special guests pop in to Rónán’s gigs regularly. Anything can and will happen!
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