Friday 29
TRADITIONAL
Nollaig Casey, Máire Ní Chathasaigh and Mairéad Ní Chathasaigh
An Spailpín Fánach, Cork Folk Festival, 9.30pm, €15 corkfolkfestival.com Also Sat O’Carolan Festival, Nobber, Co Meath nobberharpfestival.com
This trio of siblings have a particular way of rendering old tunes anew, with fiddle, harp and voice. After the release of their cannily-titled album, Sibling Revelry, this Casey/Ní Chathasaigh axis of traditional music is the living embodiment of what it means to dive deep beneath the surface to unearth something fresh.
Siobhán Long
Friday 29th
TRADITIONAL
Cork Folk Festival
Various venues corkfolkfestival.com
Workshops, masterclasses, art exhibitions, storytelling, sessions and concerts all jostle for space in this year’s packed programme at the Cork Folk Festival. Highlights abound, including a tribute concert to the late, great fiddle player, Seamus Creagh, featuring Jackie Daly (Creagh’s old playing compadre), Matt Cranitch, Na Mooneys, Alec Finn and a host of others. Andy Irvine and Donovan will also headline, as well as Cathy Jordan, Jarlath Henderson and Mick Daly. The eclecticism of this year’s programme underscores the organic essence of folk music and folk tradition in all their multi-coloured glory. SL
Saturday 30th
TRADITIONAL
The Ace and Deuce of Piping
Liberty Hall, Dublin, 8pm, €25/€20/€60 (family) pipers.ie
Broadcaster, Áine Hensey MCs this year’s gala gathering of musicians, hosted by Na Píobairí Uilleann, to celebrate the grand sweep of the uilleann pipes. This year’s programme features Brian McNamara, The Dublin Lasses, Pipers Union, Edwina Guckian, John Tuohy, Seán Ó Sé, Bryan O’Leary & Colm Guilfoyle. SL
Wednesday 4
TRADITIONAL
Beoga with the RTÉ Concert Orchestra and Conductor David Brophy
National Concert Hall, Dublin 8pm €30/€25/€20 nch.ie
Whatever some might make of their recent collaboration with Ed Sheeran (either a crossover triumph or a slice of utter paddywhackery), Beoga’s penchant for high octane, highly sculpted tune sets is unquenchable. Damien McKee and Seán Óg Graham’s duelling accordions are the perfect foil to Niamh Dunne’s fiddle and vocals, Liam Bradley’s piano and Eamon Murray’s bodhrán. How their music will evolve in the context of a full orchestra? Well tonight’s the night to find out. With the effervescent conductor, David Brophy, at the helm, the money’s on a high flying, no holds barred set, punctuated by more than a few unexpected hairpin bends. SL
