A stage show of Irish music, song and dance, Seisiún features the authentic traditional entertainment as enjoyed by generations of Irish people. One of the longest-running Summer shows of its kind ? over 30 years. Seisiún still gets comments from its visitors that this is what we really came to Ireland to experience.

This Comhaltas show entertains its audiences with a variety of Irish traditional music, song and dance which is followed by light refreshments ? tea and scones. The Seisiún concludes with an informal traditional session where the visitors are encouraged to participate if they so wish during this part of the night audiences join in dances such as the Siege of Ennis and the Walls of Limerick and a song or two. Visiting artists are also welcome to perform.

Seisiún is not just a concert but also a unique traditional cultural experience enabling visitors from both Ireland and overseas to enjoy a taste of the real Ireland.

I hope to see you very soon!

Kay Webster
Reachtaire
Oriel Centre, Dundalk Gaol
Carrickmacross Rd
Dundalk
Co. Louth
Ph  042 9328887  Fax 042 9328873
www.orielcentre.ie

The Heritage Centre, Carlingford

Zoë Conway and John Mc Intyre have announced a series of six concert dates for July and August after the overwhelming success of the series last year.  Carlingford Heritage Centre, located in the breathtaking Holy Trinity Heritage Centre at the heart of the medieval town has proved to be a wonderful setting for these concerts, with the ambience of the church complimenting the acoustic fiddle and guitar performances beautifully. The Sunday concerts are one hour long, from 4-5pm, allowing people the freedom to explore the villages many other attractions.  Tickets (€10 / €6 concessions) are available from The Holy Trinity Centre on 042 9373454.  Many local restaurants are offering a pre-theatre menu with concession price ticket; Ghan House, McKevitts Hotel, The Bay Tree, The Four Seasons and The Kingfisher – please book in advance.

The summer concert series has been made possible by the generous support of Louth County Councils Arts Agency, Create Louth.

With an exciting blend of eclectic fiddle and guitar music, Zoë and John bring to the stage sympathetic arrangements of traditional Irish music, compositions and songs, old and new.  The duo possesses a rare facility to draw pieces into their repertoire from other genres such as classical, jazz and world music and express this material in way which not only displays the sheer range and knowledge of both instrumentalists but also exhibits the wonderful versatility of their instruments.
This year they are also excited to introduce a special guest at each concert:

10th July Gerry O’Connor, renowned traditional fiddle player.

17th July Jim Mc Killop, a virtuoso of the fiddle embracing many styles.

24th July Lynn Hilary, successful vocalist with Riverdance and US hit show, Celtic Women.

31st July Siobhan Manson, lead dancer with Riverdance and Women Of Ireland.

7th August Mick Quinn, renowned storyteller and ‘national treasure’ from Mullabawn, Armagh.

14th August Stewart Agnew, local hero and superb singer/songwriter.

Their summer series allows audiences to also preview music which is being currently recorded for a new album due for release in early 2012 featuring contemporary Irish music.  Thirteen leading Irish composers have been commissioned to each create a piece specifically for Zoë and John, for fiddle and guitar.  Bill Whelan, Mícheál O Suilleabhan, Tommy Peoples, Andy Irvine and Donal Lunny among others, are involved in this exciting project.

Zoë, no stranger to the stage, has performed with an impressive list of international artists including Riverdance, Damien Rice, Lou Reed, Nick Cave, Rodrigo y Gabriella to mention but a few.  In contrast to this, Zoe has been an important figure within more serious music circles in Ireland, as her discipline has allowed her the pleasure of appearing as soloist with acclaimed orchestras such as The Irish Chamber Orchestra and the BBC Symphony Orchestra; pieces recited include works composed for her by world renowned Irish composer, Bill Whelan.

John began his career on a very different course, as electric guitarist with indie band, The Revs. Through this he has also known the privilege of performing on many famous stages and festivals across the globe. John studied classical guitar as a teenager, and has a strong background in traditional music, having spent many summers in south west Donegal.

Together, Zoë Conway and John Mc Intyre are a musical force to be reckoned with, and audiences in Ireland and beyond keep coming back for more.  They were awarded ‘Best Show’ from popular YouTube channel, Balcony TV for their lightening arrangement of jazz standard, Tiger Rag, receiving over 75,000 views online.  Don’t miss an opportunity to see them perform an intimate, acoustic set on 10th, 17th, 24th, 31st July and 7th, 14th August.

This celebration of our national instrument incorporates a wonderful series of public evening concerts comprising world class traditional musicians and ensembles.

The festival is funded by the Arts Council/An Chomhairle Ealaíon and sponsored by RTÉ Lyric FM.

In its 26th year, the festival continues to attract harpers from all over the world and offers an opportunity to gain a full appreciation of Irish music, song and dance while developing the skills and repertoire of harpers through total immersion in all aspects of Irish harp playing, singing in Irish, dancing through collaborative workshops, sessions and public concerts.  The festival incorporates a residency programme for harpers, ranging in age from 7 years 70 to and a series of public concerts and open rehearsals /sessions held on a daily basis at An Grianan.

The Evening Concert Series for this year’s festival runs from Monday 27th June through to Thursday 30th June. These concerts provide the public with an unrivaled opportunity to explore the cross cutting relationships between Irish harp, its positioning within Irish traditional music and its place within the wider tradition of harping in Ireland, Scotland and Wales.

Festival Concert Programme 2011

Sunday June 26th
Fáilte Isteach

Poet and Aos Dána member Moya Cannon, Seán Ryan, whistle and Rick Epping concertina with Kathleen Loughnane, harp.

Venue: An Grianán, Termonfeckin, Co. Louth
Time:    8.00pm

Monday June 27th
‘A Window on The Neal Collection’ (1724)

Nicholas Carolan, Siobhán Armstrong, early Irish harp, singer Áine Uí Cheallaigh, Paul O’Shaughnessy and Paul McGrattan. This will be followed by a late night traditional session.

Venue: An Grianán, Termonfeckin, Co. Louth
Time:     8.30pm

Tuesday June 28th
A Family Affair

The Mulcahy Family and Michelle Mulcahy, harp with Scottish singer Alyth McCormack and Triona Marshall, harp explore and forge new musical connections with a riveting presentation of Scottish and Irish music.

Venue: An Grianán, Termonfeckin, Co. Louth
Time:    8.30pm

Wednesday June 29th
As I see it

Spanning the worlds of trad and jazz, Anne Marie O’Farrell, harp and Scottish harper Maeve Gilchrist share their unique approach in ‘Súil Eile’

Venue: An Grianán, Termonfeckin, Co. Louth
Time:     8.30pm

Thursday June 30th
Gala Festival Concert

Harper Cormac de Barra and Eamon de Barra, flute with special guests, T and the 3 Maggies – Tríona ní Dhomhnaill, Moya Brennan, Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh and Maighréad Ní Dhomhnaill.

Venue: An Grianán, Termonfeckin, Co. Louth
Time:    8.30pm

A series of public afternoon workshops presented by tutors and performers will also take place throughout the Festival.

All concerts and workshops are open to the public.

Admission €15, Concessions, OAP and unwaged €10

Booking: info@communique.ie or 01-6768998 or 087 2800390

Tickets also available at Droichead Arts Centre at www.droichead.ie
For further information contact:

Aibhlin McCrann: 087 2800390

Karan Thompson 086 2550291

Communiqué International

26 Herbert Place,

Dublin 2,

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Pfg6JrQ4_4

Click the image below to read the Programme

This is an exciting new project at Droichead Arts Centre. We are inviting young people from 14 years upwards to join us for four introductory sessions in traditional singing.

If you have an interest in singing in general, and want to know a little bit more about the extensive repertory of traditional songs that cover a range of themes and human experience as portrayed in the old ballads, local songs, folk songs, songs on politics, murder, love, emigration and more. Then join us and see if this is something for you.

Dates: 12th, 19th & 26th May, 2nd June.
Time: 7pm – 9pm
Fee: €20 for four weeks.

Droichead Arts Centre
Barlow House
Narrow West Street
Drogheda
Co.Louth
Ireland
Tel: + 353 041 9875140
Fax: + 353 041 9842055
www.droichead.com

On Saturday April 16th next the Oriel Centre, Dundalk Gaol will continue in it’s quest to bring the best of musicial talent to the discerning audiences of Dundalk with it’s upcoming concert event featuring renouned Donegal accordionist Dermot Byrne, and French harpist Floriane Blancke .

Since 2009 Byrne and Blancke have performed in select venues around Ireland and so was born a unique level in the experience of subtlety, intimacy, mutual understanding and musicial finesse.

From childhood, Floriane Blancke was raised on her grandfather’s hungarian gypsy-music background.   Holding a repertoire of stylistic elements from established classical repertoire to varied improvised music, her contact with Irish traditional music sparked a deep resonance which resulted in a move to Ireland, immersion within its complex stylistic tapestry and swift rise as one of the significant new contributors to Irish harp style and repertoire.

Almost an echo of Floriane’s story is that of Dermot Byrne. Raised on an unbroken line of old knowledge from the past masters of traditional style, stories have become woven into local lore of the young accordionist and older master fiddlers playing in perfect connection.  The collaboration of an accordionist internationally renowned for delicacy of touch with the soft brilliance of Floriane’s harp, further intermingled with an understated elegance leads to this most intimate and breathtakingly artistic experience.

More musicial talent abounds at the Oriel Centre on Easter Saturday night with the staging  of Rulya (pronounced Rull-yah) with ‘Songs Around Ulster’ .  Ruyla is a locally based  4 piece outfit from South Armagh with Garrett Doran (vocals), Padraig Carragher (guitars), Chris Mc Mullan (uileann pipes and low whistles) and Pearse Mc Mahon (vocals, bouzouki, mandolin and mouth organ). I

Rulya’s fine performances have been the subject of much praise following a guest appearance with Beoga in Belfast last Dec where BBC Ulster TV presenter and radio DJ Lynette Fay gave the audience sound advice and insisted “Take care to watch out for these boys in 2011, they’re gonna be special!” The group are set to release the CD and companion book of ‘Songs around Ulster’  in Autumn of this year.

For further information on our upcoming activities check out our website www.orielcentre.ie  or contact us directly Ph 042 9328887.

Please contact us directly for enrolement on 042 9328887 / info@orielcentre.ie.