Various venues, Donegal Dec 27th – Jan 1st
Finesse and character are the hallmarks of Donegal’s Frankie Kennedy Winter School, now in its 18th year. A celebration of the life and music of the late Belfast flute player, Frankie Kennedy, this gathering has steadfastly been cleaving to quality music, song and dance, with this year’s programme promising to ramp it up further.
Peadar Ó Riada will receive Gradam Francie Mooney, in recognition of his remarkable and prolific compositional work, as well as his work with Cór Cúl Aodha, Triúr and others. Guests over the coming days include Leitrim fiddler, the Lee Marvin of trad, Ben Lennon, Martin Hayes, Tim O’Brien, Steve Cooney, Fidil and Winter School founders, Altan.
Unsurprisingly, music classes are a hallmark of the winter school, and tutors include Neil Martin and Triona Ní Dhomhnaill. Gweedore in Donegal has a tendency to become a winter wonderland at this time of year, and Ionad Cois Locha is one of the most romantic locations for a concert, so reasons to be cheerful abound.
Can't see that? Catch this:Andy Irvine plays two concerts in Dublin over the coming week, fresh from his Argentinean tour. Tonight he's in the National Concert Hall and next Thursday he plays the Helix.
