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> Kavan Donohoe winner of John Dungan Cup at the Granard Harp Festival
> Caomhnú Literary Festival announces a reading by Prof. Germaine Greer
> A night of Music and literature from the North West
> Cootehill goes "on air" with lively Céilí House show (09 /11/06)
> Cootehill hosts recording of RTE Radio 1's "Céilí House" (02/11/ 06)
> Cootehill to honour Gerry Whelan with major trad weekend (28 /09/ 06)
> Cootehill looks forward to Gerry Whelan weekend of music (14/09/06)
> Monaghan launch of new Martin Donohoe CD in Corcaghan tomorrow night (15/06/06)
> Top rock and trad acts to headline Sligo Live festival (01 June 06)
> Top international flute player for Cootehill (06/04/06)
> Trad music event tonight at Brewery in support of Lifeboat Institution (23/03/06)
> Major "Nyah" traditional music festival in Cavan this weekend (09 March 06 )
> Cavan all set for huge "Nyah" festival of traditional music (02 March 06)
> Traditional Dancing Weekend ( 02 February 2006)
Kavan Donohoe winner of John Dungan Cup at the Granard Harp Festival
Competitions were held in the Sacred Heart School, Granard on Saturday Last .
Competion classes were held for Novice (U-2 years tuition)
U-12, U-15, U-18, 0-18, and Harp duet (harp and one other instrument) with many cups, trophies, crystal and a prize fund of over €2,500.
Kavan Started his harp lessons with Miss Kim Fleming in the Granard Harp School in 1999 ,he now studies Harp with Aongus Rooney Co Monaghan and Uilleann Pipes with Mr P J Flood Co Cavan .
1781 saw the first ever Harp Festival in Granard, County Longford. The premiums were generous in terms of money. The first prize was 10 Guineas, second prize 8 Guineas and third prize 5 Guineas. "The Market House" built some time before 1691 was the scene of the old Festivals which were initiated and funded by John Dungan, a native of Granard, a wealthy businessman living in Copenhagen. The aim of the festival was to revive public interest in the Irish Harp and Irish Harp Music.
Two hundred years later in 1981 the people of Granard hoted a commemorative bi-centennial Harp Festival. One of the ambitions of the committee responsible for the revival of the Granard Harp Festival was that Harp music be brought into the modern world and the ancient tradition would not only be preserved, but would become the basis for further development. Granard may once again rekindle a new flame of interest in the Irish Harp.
'The Canon's Cup' refers to the perpetual trophy and prize for the 1981 bi-centenary festival sponsored by the Very Reverend Canon Francis Gilfillan. In 1981 the first winner of the top prize was Ms Anne Heyman, USA and in 2006 the winner was Lynsey Moynagh from Dublin.
The present committee have re-established the Harp School, employing top class and well known teachers. The aims are the same as those of John Dungan back in 1781 - to promote the Irish Harp and Harp music.
O'Carolan
During his travels O'Carolan stayed as a guest with Lord and Lady Nugent at 'The Lodge', Castlenugent (now Smiths) from 1720 to 1721. While there he composed several tunes including one for the yougest daughter of the house (Grace) hence the Grace Nugent cup. Another tune composed by O'Carolan was 'Miss Fetherston' who was visiting in the Granard area at the same time. O'Carolan encountered Miss Fetherston while on his way to Mass in Granardkille. She was on her way to St Patrick's Church of Ireland service in Granard.
 
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Caomhnú Literary Festival announces a reading by Prof. Germaine Greer
Cavan Arts Office and Caomhnú Literary Festival are delighted to host a reading and discussion with Prof. Germaine Greer, whose thoughts on libraries grace the front of Cavan’s new Johnston Central Library and Farnham Centre.
Read press release
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A night of Music and literature from the North West
One of the best short story writers in Ireland, Eugene McCabe teams up with Derry writer Sean O’Reilly for an evening of readings and music in the Glens Centre, Manorhamilton on Sat 17th February. Considered by many to be one of the finest writers to emerge out of Ireland in the last 30 years, Eugene McCabe is the author of the novel Death and Nightingales and the collection of short stories Heaven Lies about Us. He is a master storyteller and dramatist and lives in Monaghan.
Eugene McCabe will be joined by the Derry writer Sean O’Reilly whose first book of short stories Curfew and Other Stories appeared in 2000 and was followed by a novel Love and Sleep in 2002. His most recent work was the novella Watermark, and all have been received to very high acclaim. He is described by Eoin McNamee as ‘a writer of massive range…he is a stylist and you find yourself beguiled, finessed, seduced and dazzled ‘
Both writers share in common the north of Ireland, sometimes in theme and sometimes in place. To add to the sense of a Northern Irish dimension, Cavan is bringing over some of its best musicians including the best lilter in Ireland, multiple All Ireland champion Seamus Fay and the well known accordion player Martin Donohoe. Trevor Bury on bones and the Fermanagh bouzouki player Fintan McManus will also take part.
This evening is part of an ongoing series of monthly readings hosted by the Glens Centre. To book tickets of for more information on this and upcoming readings, please call the Glens on 071 98 55833. Sat 17th Feb @ 8.30pm.
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Cootehill goes "on air" with lively Céilí House show (09 November 2006)
The recording of RTE Radio 1's Céilí House programme in Cootehill last Thursday was a resounding success, as was confirmed by the very positive reaction to the subsequent broadcast at 9pm on Saturday night.
Don Smith's Lounge was packed for the event, which featured Cavan accordion maestro Martin Donohoe, the Cootehill Ceili Crew (with Mickey McDonnell, Gerry McBreen, Milo Fitzgerald, Billy Murray and Gary Cosgrove), Hugh P Donohoe and Sean McEntee, Seamus Fay and Trevor Bury, the Donohoe kids Kavan, Savannah, Keenan and Zoran, the Cavan Set Dancers, and last but not least, local historian Patrick Cassidy -- who made a good case for local tourism when pressed by presenter Kieran Hanrahan to tell the listeners why people should visit the Cootehill and Cavan areas!
Any initial apprehensions for the musicians were quickly forgotten once the show got into the swing of things. The Ceili Crew, along with Martin's accordion and the guitar of Fintan McManus pumped out sparkling jigs and reels throughout, keeping the set dancers on their toes. Mickey McDonnell gave a debut rendition of the delicate "Bellamont Forest so Green",a song recorded by Patrick Cassidy from the singing of the late Mary Anne Drury.
The Donohoe family provided a great arrangement of Turlough O'Carolan's famous composition in honour of Farnham's Lady Judith Maxwell, followed by one of Martin's ownjigs with Geraldine Whelan-O'Meara on bodhran. The younger Donohoes had everyone in fits when Savannah led them with a hilarious version of "The Second Hand Trousers I Bought In Belcoo". Seamus Fay and trusty Trevor Bury on the bones lilted and rattled out a set of lively reels, as did Hugh P Donohoe and Sean McEntee on their banjo and box respectively.
Spontaneous cheers and applause were the order of the day, adding to the infectious merriment all the way through, and everyone involved was delighted with how the show went. Anyone who missed Saturday's broadcast from Smith's of Cootehill, and has their computer set up right, can still hear it for the remainder of this week at http://www.rte.ie/radio1/ceilihouse
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Cootehill hosts recording of RTE Radio 1's "Céilí House" (02 November 2006)
DON SMITH'S, 8pm TONIGHT, THURSDAY
Cootehill is holding an important traditional music event this evening
(Thursday 2nd November), in Don Smith's lounge, when it hosts a recording of RTE Radio1's popular Saturday-night "Céilí House" programme, with well-known presenter Kieran Hanrahan at the helm.
The show is a celebration of the music of Cavan's Martin Donohoe, both of whose late parents originated from the Cootehill area.
The artists featured will include the "Cootehill Ceili Crew": Mickey McDonnell (banjo), Gerry McBreen (fiddle), Billy Murray (flute), Gary Cosgrove (bouzouki), and Milo Fitzgerald (bodhran) with special guests Fintan McManus (guitar) and Martin Donohoe (accordion).
Also in action will be local duo Hugh P Donohoe (banjo) and Sean McEntee (accordion);the Donohoe family trio of Martin, Kavan (harp, pipes) and Savannah (tin-whistle), and Seamus Fay (lilter) with Trevor Bury (bodhran).
The Cavan Set Dancers will be taking the floor and talking about the upcoming Nyah"Dancing in the Drumlins" weekend (taking place 5th -7th January 2007 in Cavan Crystal Hotel). Local historian Patrick Cassidy will give a brief history of Cootehill and an introduction to Mickey McDonnell's version of the long-lost song, "Bellamont Forest so Green".
RTE's Céilí House is presented by Kieran Hanrahan, former banjo player with the acclaimed "Stockton's Wing" group, and produced by Peter Brown, renowned piper and lecturer.
Audience reaction is also part and parcel of the show, and a large turnout is expected at this event to showcase the talents of local singers, dancers and musicians. Seating is limited, so be sure to come early to Smith's Lounge, Bridge Street, Cootehill
(admission free, 8pm start).
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Cootehill to honour Gerry Whelan with major trad weekend (28 September 2006)
Cootehill is looking forward to a major programme of traditional music events this weekend to honour the memory of a locally-based businessman who devoted much of his life to promoting Irish music and song, and who was a major figure in Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann for over half a century.
The second annual "Gerry Whelan Remembered" event takes place from tonight, Thursday, to Sunday next, and will be officially launched by the Ardstiurthoir of Comhaltas Senator Labhras Ó Murchú at a special concert in the White Horse Hotel tomorrow night, Friday 29th.
Many top musicians and singers from around Ireland will join with talented locals of every age group in a full-programme of events that will include a marching bands parade and numerous "seisiúns" in which several top-class acts will launch their new CDs.
Mr Gerry Whelan (1918-2001) was actively involved with Comhaltas Ceoltoirí Eireann since the organisation was set up in 1951, and was President of the Ulster Council for a period of thirty years. With his beloved melodeon or bodhran in hand, Gerry liked nothing better than to settle down to a good seisiún.
Thursday: Things get going tonight with the popular weekly session in the Tír na nÓg bar, with Fintan McManus, Aoife Murray and the usual gang of local musicians.
Friday: Mass for deceased members of CCE will be celebrated at 8pm tomorrow, Friday in St Michael's Church. Large crowds are then expected in the White Horse for the launch concert, which will see a long list of top names in action on stage. Further sessions will take place afterwards in both the concert venue and the front lounge, with the likes of piper Padraig McGovern, singer Tadhg Maher and veteran accordionist Vincent Tighe all in action. A special award goes to Bunnoe accordionist Sean McEntee. Well-known festival-organiser and "Nyah" events promoter Martin Donohoe will be MC.
Saturday: Gerry Whelan's daughter Dolores will be launching her own book on Celtic mysticism, "Ever Ancient, Ever New" in the Library at 3pm on Saturday afternoon. The music continues on Saturday evening at Tír na nÓg with piper Padraig McGovern leading a host of players.
Saturday night will see sessions in the White Horse with renowned fiddler Seamus Creagh, in Mullen's with the Fay sisters Siobhan and Fionnuala and many talented friends from Dublin, and in Smith's where Leitrim flute player Dave Sheridan launches his new CD. True to its name, Sheridan's Guesthouse boasts many top-of-the-line guest musicians, some of whom will be in Cootehill for the launch. Yours truly Mickey McDonnell acts as MC. So Saturday's programme ends with no shortage of choice for session goers.
Sunday: Sunday morning is for younger people, starting of with a "Session for All" in the White Horse to highlight the talents of young musicians in particular, and continuing with the Marching Bands parade starting on Bridge Street at 2pm, and featuring some of the All-Ireland winning bands who received "Gerald Whelan Memorial" trophies at the recent All-Ireland Fleadh in Letterkenny.
Another big CD launch takes place in Don Smith's at 4pm, where concertina maestro Mícheál Ó Raghallaigh's new Inside Out album will be launched by RTE and RnaG broadcasters Kieran Hanrahan and Mattie Jo Ó Fatharta. The festival finishes in a slightly different vein on Sunday night in Bannon's Lounge with the "Joe-ED" Dolan/Orbison tribute show.
Sponsored by Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann and Wrangler Footwear/Drifters, the weekend is being promoted by the Nyah Group. More information is available from main organiser Martin Donohoe (086 234 2270), Seamus Smith, Comhaltas, and at <www.cavanmusic.com>. 14 September 2006
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Cootehill looks forward to Gerry Whelan Remembered weekend of trad-music
(14 September 2006)
FULL PROGRAMME TO HONOUR PATRON OF IRISH MUSIC AND CULTURE
Cootehill is looking forward to a major weekend of traditional music events at the end of September to honour the memory of a locally-based businessman who devoted much of his life to promoting Irish music and song, and who was a major figure in Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann for over half a century.
The second annual Gerry Whelan Remembered event takes place from Thursday 28th September to Sunday 1st October, and will be officially launched by Ardstiurthoir of Comhaltas, Senator Labhras Ó Murchú at a special concert in the White Horse Hotel on Friday 29th.
Many top musicians and singers from around Ireland will join with talented locals of every age group in a full-programme of events that will include a marching bands parade and numerous "seisiúns" in which several top-class acts will launch their new CDs.
Mr Gerry Whelan (1918-2001) was actively involved with Comhaltas Ceoltoirí Eireann since the organisation was set up in 1951, and was President of the Ulster Council for a period of thirty years. With his beloved melodeon or bodhran in hand, Gerry liked nothing better than to settle down to a good seisiún.
The full programme of events for the weekend will run as follows:
THURSDAY 28 SEPT
Tír na nÓg Seisiún 10pm: The Tír na nÓg bar, Market starts the Cootehill festivities on Thursday 28th, with Cavan's acclaimed traditional singer Aoife Murray leading the way in what has become a very popular weekly seisiún with Belturbet-based Fintan McManus on bouzouki and locals Mickey McDonnell (banjo), Gerry McBreen (fiddle, songs), Billy Murray (flute) and Joe McIntyre (songs, guitar).
FRIDAY 29 SEPT
Official Launch Concert, White Horse Hotel 9pm: The Gerry Whelan Remembered weekend will be officially launched by Senator Labhras Ó Murchú, Director-General of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann at a showcase traditional concert at 9pm in the White Horse Hotel, with the ever ebullient Martin Donohoe acting as MC. Among the top names taking to the stage will be singer Tadhg Maher, accordionist Vincent Tighe, (an old friend of Gerry Whelan's), piper Padraig Donlon, fiddlers Collete Beagon and Gary Lynch, fiddle and flute duo Felim and MacDara Raghalligh, Pat McCabe (piano accordion) and Fergal Mullen (banjo).
Offaly-born 20 times all-Ireland winning singer Tadhg Maher's new CD, Straight from the Heart will be launched at the concert. In recent years, Tadhg has made his name touring the world with the popular group Brú Ború, and he has frequently featured on RTE and TG4 traditional broadcasts as well as singing for President Mary McAleese on several occasions.
Another highlight of the night will be a special lifetime recognition award for accomplished box player John McEntee -- appropriately honouring the Bunnoe man for his great contribution to traditional sessions and events in Co Cavan over many years.
Also in action will be Cavan's own veteran lilter Seamus Fay, bodhran beater Richard Lyons and flute players Aisling McPhillips and Martin Gaffney. Cavan Town's CCE Youth Group will complete the line-up for this star-studded concert, which will be followed by what promises to be a memorable informal seisiún with lots of local musicians joined by players from around the county.
Expect to hear stalwarts like Peter Leddy, Philip Clarke, Gerry Donohoe, John Fox, Marion Crowe, Seamus Smith, Hugh P Donohoe, Fintan McManus, Andrew McCaul, Rodney Lancashire, Milo Fitzgerald, Gary Cosgrove, Noel Halton and members of Cootehill CCE all contributing to the occasion.
Lounge Seisiún, White Horse 10pm: This seisiún led by Padraig McGovern (pipes) and John Cartin (guitar) will ensure that the White Horse Hotel -- a stone's throw from where Gerry Whelan set up his first shoe factory in the old town hall back in the early '50s -- is awash with traditional sounds on the night, and the place to be for all enthusiasts.
SATURDAY 30 SEPT
Dolores Whelan Book Launch: Another full day's programme starts at 3pm in a slightly different vein with the launch at Cootehill Library, Bridge Street of a new book by Gerry's daughter, Dolores Whelan. "Ever Ancient Ever New" highlights the importance of recovering the ancient wisdom of the celtic tradition for use in today's world. Dolores has dedicated the book to her father, in recognition of his work over the decades in recovering traditional music, and through it, recovering aspects of the celtic soul.
Tír na nÓg Seisiún 5pm-7pm: The music gets going again with an evening seisiún at the Tír na nÓg from 5pm-7pm when uilleann piper Padraig McGovern leads what should be a large cast of musicians as they get warmed up for a trad-packed night in the town.
With three sessions taking place in different venues on Saturday night, there will be no shortage of choice as Cootehill takes on a fleadh-like atmosphere.
White Horse Seisiún 9.30pm: Music in the White Horse with renowned Cork-based fiddler Seamus Creagh starts at 9.30pm. Joining in will be Mattie Jo Shéamais Ó Fatharta, sean-nós singer and Raidió na Gaeltachta broadcaster, Rob Murphy (flute), Gerry and Hilda Brady (fiddles), John McEntee (accordion) and friends, Philip Hickey (accordion), Henry McDonald (guitar) and friends from Dundalk and the Ring of Gullion. Philip Clarke will be MC for this blast of music.
Mullen's Lounge Seisiún 10pm: Local talent will be showcased at a seisiún in Mullen's lounge, Market Street from 10pm onward, with the Fay sisters, Siobhan (banjo) and Fionnuala (fiddle) belting out the tunes along with Ray Lawlor on accordion.
Smith's Lounge CD Launch Seisiún 10.30pm: Another big event on Saturday night takes place in Don Smith's lounge, where a seisiún to mark the launch of a great new flute-music CD cranks up at 10.30pm. Sheridan's Guesthouse is the wonderful debut album by Dave Sheridan of Leitrim, whose early promise natural flair has truly come of age in the recording. With 16 of his friends appearing on the 15-track offering, including Seamie O'Dowd and Brian "The Godfather" Rooney, the end result highlights Dave's masterful performance, mainly on concert flute but also on accordion and other instruments.
For the gig in Smith's Dave Sheridan will be joined by three other fantastic Leitrim musicians, namely Oliver Loughlin (piano accordion), Damien O'Brien (fiddle) and John McCartin (guitar and fiddle). MC for the night will be Mickey McDonnell.
SUNDAY 1st OCT
The busy schedule of events for the weekend gets rounded up on Sunday October 1st, with morning and afternoon events including a marching bands parade.
"Session for All", White Horse 1pm-3pm: The budding talents of children and younger musicians in particular will be at the centre of the "Session for All" from 1pm-3pm in the White Horse Hotel, featuring Cavan Town CCE with Eimer O'Reilly (fiddle), Aoife and Katie Flynn (accordion and banjo), and Comhaltas branch musicians from Cavan and Cootehill. This is one for the kids and the talent of tomorrow, and well worth dropping in to.
Marching Bands, 2pm-4pm: The celebrations take to the street from 2pm-4pm on Sunday afternoon when some of the all-Ireland winning bands who received their "Gerald Whelan Memorial" trophies at the Fleadh in Letterkenny this year strut their stuff, sponsored by Cootehill Chamber and Cootehill Vintners Association.
Gerry himself was passionate about the music being passed on to future generations, and was instrumental in setting up St Michael's Marching Band in Cootehill in 1967. The band won many major competitions, but his proudest moment came when they won the All-Ireland Marching Band competition in 1972. Gerry went on to play a key role in restructuring and popularising the bands competitions at all fleadhs, which his company sponsored from 1985 onwards.
Fittingly, his legacy continues, not least through the new set of memorial trophies in his name. These were presented to the all-Ireland winning bands in Letterkenny last month, and organisers including Geraldine Whelan consider it a great honour to have some of these bands join the festivities in Cootehill.
Smith's Lounge CD Launch Seisiún 4pm:Another big CD launch takes place in Don Smith's at 4pm. This time it's Inside Out, the new album by Mícheál Ó Raghallaigh on concertina, which also features Monaghan's harp wizard Michael Rooney.
The launch will be carried out by banjo-king Kieran Hanrahan (of RTE's "Ceili House"), and the big event will feature lilting from Seamus Fay, Fintan McManus on bouzouki and the Kavan, Savannah and Martin Donohoe family trio. Compering this final event will be Raidió na Gaeltachta's Mattie Jo Ó Fatharta.
Bannon's show: The weekend's events close on Sunday night at Gene Bannon's, Cootehill's home of jazz music, with a slight variation in the musical style as the popular "JOE.E.D." delivers his inimitable JoeDolan / Roy Orbison tribute show
Sponsored by Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann and Wrangler Footwear/Drifters, the weekend is being promoted by the Nyah Group.
More information is available from main organiser Martin Donohoe (086 234 2270), Seamus Smith, Comhaltas, and at <www.cavanmusic.com>.
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Monaghan launch of new Martin Donohoe CD in Corcaghan tomorrow night (15/06/06)
LOCALS TO JOIN CAVAN ACCORDIONIST IN "TASTY TOUCHES" TRAD CELEBRATION
POPULAR Cavan-based traditional accordionist Martin Donohoe will be leading his band of troubadours back to this county tomorrow night (Friday 16th) for the official Monaghan launch of his acclaimed new CD Tasty Touches -- Blúiríní Blasta, which takes place at 9pm in Corcaghan Community Centre.
Martin's 41-track double-CD (one for every year of his age) has been hailed by the critics as a wonderfully inspiring mixture of tunes and songs, with a strong emphasis on his native Cavan. Recorded in the Belturbet studios of bouzouki and guitar master Fintan McManus, the recording features forty-six singers, dancers and musicians. Among the most well-known are singers Charlie McGettigan and Séan Ó Sé, Fintan and Pat McManus, fiddler Brian Conway and Monaghan's harp maestro Michael Rooney.
Many of those featured on the new album will be at tomorrow night's launch, to be hosted by Tiarnán Ó Duinnchinn, Monaghan piper and member of Armagh Pipers Club. Corcaghan's strong local branch of Comhaltas will also be well represented, and the show will feature younger musicians from the locality with their grupai cheoil, duets, trios and céili bands. Fresh from their recent successes at the Co Monaghan Fleadh in Carrickmacross, the youngsters should be in top form, and no-one will be better pleased than Martin Donohoe, who is famed for the tireless work he puts into organising events in Cavan and promoting awareness of the music, especially among younger people.
The wealth of local musical talent will hopefully have the Corcaghan centre well warmed up by the time Martin and his Cavan crew take to the stage. Among those performing with the man himself will be up-and-coming traditional singer Aoife Murray, well-known lilter Seamus Fay, Fintan McManus with his bouzouki and Mickey McDonnell on banjo.
THUMBS UP
The new Tasty Touches CD has been given a well-deserved thumbs-up by the music media. "Donohoe brings a lightness of touch to an incorrigible mix of tunes, songs and poems, luring a remarkable gathering of musicians to join him as he winds his way along a circuitous path, glorying in every step," was the verdict delivered by Siobhán Long of The Irish Times, while legendary box-player Joe Derrane said, "Martin Donohoe's fleet-fingered and distinctive stylings makes his command of the accordion readily apparent."
Aidan O'Hara of Irish Music magazine commends the "multi-talented" Donohoe for the way in which he transforms into "musician, comedian, and chief rounder-upper" at events, and adds: "Martin's enthusiasm for traditional music and the people who play it and enjoy it is infectious."
Needless to say, copies of Tasty Touches will be on sale on the night, and with admission free and everyone rarin' to go, the concert looks set to go down as yet another memorable occasion on the local trad calender.
Martin told the Northern Standard this week that he's hoping the launch will surpass even the hugely successful "Wild Night of Cavan Trad" organised by Club Ceoil Mhuineacháin in the Market House, Monaghan just before Christmas of last year. The affable box player told the capacity crowd at that event that he would come back to Monaghan after the CD was recorded. Everyone is now looking forward to what will effectively be "Wild Cavan Trad, Part II" in Corcaghan.
All are welcome, admission is free, show starts 9pm, Corcaghan Community Centre, Friday 16th June.
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Top rock and trad acts to headline Sligo Live festival (01 June 2006)
THERE'S no shortage of big events lined up for anyone looking out for top-class entertainment this bank holiday weekend, and none better than the major "Sligo Live 2006" festival for those who fancy a trip to the west.
With Sinead O'Connor, The Proclaimers, Midnight Well (specially reformed) and Dervish all announced as headline acts, the Sligo bash is being hailed as one of the most impressive gatherings of rock/folk/roots/trad musicians in Ireland since the 1970's
A giant marquee and festival village will be set up on Sligo Racecourse, a beautiful setting near Lough Gill. In the town itself, many of the country's leading traditional musicians will be firing out the tunes in the "Sligo Sessions" in pubs and hotels. More than fifty sessions have been set up, involving top acts from all over the country and the US including Dervish, Solas, Teada, Danu, Cavan's accordion king Martin Donohoe, and the unique Martin Hayes (fiddle) with Denis Cahill (guitar).
Sligo Live 2006 also includes a mix of hotly-tipped Irish contemporary acts like Declan O'Rourke and Guggenheim Grotto. Add in other classy visitors such as English folk queen Kate Rusby or the highly-rated Canadian Ron Sexsmith and it's looking like a memorable weekend in the marquee.
The event coincides with the regular Sligo Fleadh, taking place in Strandhill, so there should be many other unplanned seisiuns to throw in the mix.
Shane Mitchell, the Dervish accordion player who's credited with the idea behind the whole enterprise, said the plan is that there won't be anything like it.
"It's all about marrying the festival with the fleadh, the buzz of the big performances and the thrill of finding music sessions round every corner," he said.
One of the highlights of the festival will undoubtedly be the re-union of Midnight Well, happening specially for the occasion. It's a unique opportunity to see why the band - Thom Moore, Janie Cribbs, Gerry O'Beirne and Mairtin O'Connor - were one of the top folk festival acts in the 1970s.The only Midnight Well album, produced in the late 70s, is a cult classic. It got a four star review in Q Magazine when it was re-issued on CD.
Tickets for Sligo Live are expected to sell quickly as there's a maximum of 2,000 seats in the festival marquee. The weekend price for Sligo Live is €100. Tickets are now available from <www.ticketmaster.ie> and at ticketmaster outlets in the Republic of Ireland, tel 0818 719300. For more details on the festival, check out <www.sligolive.ie>.
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Top international flute player for Cootehill (06 April 2006)
DON SMITH'S TOMORROW, FRIDAY 7 th
TRADITIONAL MUSIC fans in Cootehill and the wider area are in for a treat tomorrow night (Friday 7th April) when world-renowned flute player Laurence Nugent plays in Don Smith's bar, Bridge Street. Appearing with Laurence will be a fellow Fermanagh man, the equally well-known bouzouki and guitar specialist Fintan McManus.
Based in Chicago for the past 14 years, Laurence comes from a family background steeped in music. He first came to prominence in his own right as a three-times junior and two-times senior all-Ireland championship-winning whistle and flute player between the late 'eighties and mid-nineties.
His traditional but versatile style has featured at numerous festivals in the eastern and mid-western United States over the last decade, and he has also produced three highly-rated CDs, Traditional Irish Music on Flute and Tin-Whistle, Two for Two and The Windy Gap.
Laurence is known for his unmistakable ornamentation and rhythmic and melodic variation on dance tunes, as well as his soulful and moving interpretation of slow airs.
Trad enthusiasts, and indeed anyone interested in a rare chance to enjoy true talent up close should drop into Smiths', Cootehill tomorrow night, where Laurence plays as part of his whistle-stop tour of the home territory. With local musicians on hand, it promises to be a show not to be missed -- and free of charge on top of all that!
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Trad music event tonight at Brewery in support of Lifeboat Institution (23 March 2006)
A NIGHT of traditional music and craic is to be had tonight (Thursday 23rd) at Shamie McKenna's Brewery Bar, Dublin Street Monaghan, with Cavan's jolly giant Martin Donohoe being joined by friends from Cavan and Monaghan in an event to raise funds for the RNLI lifeboat association.
The Monaghan fundraising branch was set up in recent years to support the Royal National Lifeboat Institution and raise public awareness about its services all around the Irish coast following the 1999 drowning tragedy where four people including two children lost their lives off Dunany Point, Co Louth.
Well-known members of Club Ceoil Mhuineacháin will also be playing at tonight's event.
Branch secretary Ciaran Redmond said a great show was expected at the Brewery, and he hoped there would be a good turn out to support this worthy cause. He also expressed appreciation to Martin Donohoe and the other musicians, all of whom are giving their services free of charge.
Tickets for the event are €5; doors open 8.30pm; show starts at 9pm.
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Major "Nyah" traditional music festival in Cavan this weekend (09/03/06 )
CAVAN is all set for the main events of its ongoing "Nyah 2006" Festival this weekend, which features an action packed programme of events in Cavan town and more throughout the county.
The main events will include the launch this Friday night (March 10th) at Cavan Crystal Hotel of accordionist Martin Donohoe's eagerly awaited 41-track double-CD "Tasty Touches", funded by the Arts Council and featuring lots of top musicians and singers from all over the country. Aine Hensy of RTE Radio 1/Raidió na Gaeltachta and Donagh McKeown of Northern Sound will be MCs on the night.
But big as it is, this event is only a warm-up for Nyah Awards Night at the Farnham Arms Hotel on Saturday 11th, when fiddle-wielding maestro Frankie Gavin of De Danann fame will lead a sizzling line-up of both established and emerging talent.
Monaghan's Michael Rooney and his wife June McCormack of Sligo will be launching their new Draíocht CD, "Land's End" at the concert, with RTE's Ceili House presenter Kieran Hanrahan in charge of proceedings.
Others taking part in the showcase Saturday concert include fiddlers Brendan Larrisey and Seamus Creagh, banjoist Angela Carberry, vocalist Sandra Joyce and flute player Niall Keegan, the McGovern family, Leitrim and Martin Donohoe's Tasty Touches band.
The event will also see the Nyah Awards 2006 presented to local players who kept the music alive in Cavan over the years. Well-known players now deceased will be named in the "Gone but not Forgotten" award.
One-to-one workshops in singing, accordion, concertina, banjo, fiddle, flute, harp, whistle, guitar, bodhran and bones will take place earlier on Saturday (bookings 086 234 2270).
MAUDABAWN'S ED REAVY TO BE HONOURED
The festive atmosphere will be kept smouldering through the week, leading to a historic night at the Maudabawn Arts Centre, Cootehill on Thursday 16th (8.30pm) to honour famous locally-born composer of Irish music Ed Reavy (1898-1988), and featuring music from Martin Donohoe and friends. This is followed later on with a traditional session by Martin and the gang in Smiths' Bar, Bridge Street, Cootehill.
The next day, St Patrick's Day will see traditional seisiuns all over Cavan under the Nyah banner, including an evening of trad in Smiths' of Cootehill and a night-time seisiun in Donoghue's pub, Cootehill.
The last big event in the March round of the 2006 Nyah is the Hall of Fame 2006 Award, which goes to well-known and highly respected Cavan fiddler Antoin Mac Gabhann, in the Ramor Theatre, Virginia, Co Cavan on Saturday 18th at 8.30pm.
LOTS OF EVENTS
The Nyah Festival will feature no end of extra trad sessions and "fringe events". Acts will include the Pressed for Time band, Fuschia Band and Belturbet Samba Band. A feature by Cavan Youth Theatre takes place at the town's Market Square on Saturday afternoon. Cavan Multi-Cultural Network's worldwide foods event to mark the International Day Against Racism will take place at the Farnham on Sunday.
A Traditional Singers' Session, and open air concerts, street theatre, lectures and music and song workshops are all part of the festival.
Musicians for the weekend's events will hail from all over the country, not least from Monaghan, whose participants will include pipers Tiarnan Ó Duinnchinn, Martin McCormack and Eamonn Curran and banjo player Fergal Mullen.
All the Nyah details can be found on <www.cavanmusic.com>. The word "Nyah" captures the very lift, soul and feeling of the tradition, and anyone with an interest in music or in just having great time is encouraged to get to Cavan for at least some of the events.
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Cavan all set for huge "Nyah" festival of traditional music (02 March 2006)
CAVAN is all set to once again launch into the main weekend of its ongoing "Nyah 2006" Festival from Friday 10th to Sunday 12th March. This year's list of events and artists participating is as long as would do any All-Ireland Fleadh proud -- and its all in a wonderfully central location for trad enthusiasts in this region.
The main events will include the launch of accordionist Martin Donohoe's eagerly awaited 41-track (celebrating his age, you know) double-CD "Tasty Touches" featuring great musicians and singers from all over the country. Aine Hensy of RTE Radio 1 and RTE Raidió na Gaeltachta will be MC.
Sure to become one of the landmark recordings in traditional music for years to come, the bumper CD will get its Nyah launch on Friday 10th in the Cavan Crystal Hotel, with a list of guest artists that goes on forever and promises an unforgettable night. Just the tonic for Martin, the main man behind all that's happening in Cavan.
FRANKIE GAVIN
But this is only a warm-up for the big night on Saturday 11th in the Farnham Arms Hotel, when fiddle-wielding maestro Frankie Gavin of De Danann fame will lead a sizzling line-up of both established and emerging talent. Its seems fair enough that the festival's Saturday-night prime slot should be handed over to one of the big names, and there's surely none bigger than that of the four-string bowman from Galway.
Monaghan's Michael Rooney and his wife June McCormack of Sligo will be launching their new Draíocht CD "Land's End" at the concert, with RTE's Ceili House presenter Kieran Hanrahan in charge of proceedings for this part of night.
Others taking part in the showcase Saturday concert include fiddlers Brendan Larrisey and Seamus Creagh, banjoist Angela Carberry, vocalist Sandra Joyce and flute player Niall Keegan, the McGovern family, Leitrim and Martin Donohoe's Tasty Touches band.
MCs will be Antoin Mac Gabhann, Kieran Hanrahan and Martin Donohoe, and the event will also see the Nyah Awards 2006 presented to local players who kept the music alive in Cavan over the years. Well-known players now deceased will be named in the "Gone but not Forgotten" award.
EVENTS THROUGH AND AFTER ST PATRICK'S DAY
The festive atmosphere will be kept smouldering through the week, leading to a historic night at the Maudabawn Arts Centre, Cootehill on Thursday 16th (8.30pm), with a lecture to honour famous locally-born composer of Irish music, Ed Reavy (1898-1988), and featuring music from Martin Donohoe and friends. This is followed later on with a traditional session by Martin and the gang in Smiths' Bar, Bridge Street, Cootehill.
The next day, St Patrick's Day will see traditional seisiuns all over Cavan under the Nyah banner, including an evening of trad in Smiths' of Cootehill starting after the parades.
The last big event in the March round of the 2006 Nyah (that's right, it goes on into April and beyond) is the Hall of Fame 2006 Award to well-known and highly respected Cavan fiddler Antoin Mac Gabhann, happening in the Ramor Theatre, Virginia, Co Cavan on Saturday 18th at 8.30pm, and featuring the all-Ireland winning Naomh Padraig Ceili Band from Co Meath and other top musicians in concert.
LOTS OF EVENTS
The Nyah Festival will feature no end of extra trad sessions and "fringe events". Acts and events will include the Pressed for Time band, Fuschia Band, Belturbet Samba Band, Cavan Multi-Cultural Network's celebration of foods from around the world and music to mark the International Day Against Racism, a Traditional Singers' Session, and open air concerts, street theatre, lectures and music and song workshops.
Musicians from will hail from all over the country including Shane McAleer (fiddle, ex-Dervish), Seamus Creagh (fiddle) Tiarnan Dinkin, (pipes, Monaghan), Fintan McManus (bouzouki), Martin Gaffney (flute), Martin McCormack (pipes, Monaghan), Fergal Mullen (banjo, Monaghan), Pat McCabe (accordion), Eamonn Curran (piper, Monaghan), Aoife Murray (singer), Mairead Hurley (concertina), Jacqui Martin (fiddle), Loraine Sweeney (flute), Richard Lyons (bodhran), Barry McGee (concertina), Art Ó Dufaigh (guitar, songs), Seamus Fay (lilter), Mattie-Jó Shéamuis Ó Flatharta (singer)........it goes on for quite a while!
Best to look for the detailed timetable of events on <www.cavanmusic.com>!
The bottom line is that Cavan is the place to be over the March 8th to 18th period, so if you're rich and free you can book in for a fortnight. For the rest of us, it's a case of be there for as much as you can take in.
The "Nyah", to sum it up, is about people participating in music, song, dance and all art forms in the Breifni county inviting others from everywhere else to join them in a hooley of cultural celebration.
The word Nyah captures the very lift, soul and feeling of the tradition. So put some Nyah in your life and get to at least some of the events.
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Dancing in the Drumlins Cavan's "Nyah" season kicks off with traditional Irish dancing weekend (02 February 2006)
FOR everyone with an interest in Irish dancing, all roads in this region lead to Cavan next weekend, where a packed three-day programme of workshops and ceilis is taking place at the Cavan Crystal Hotel.
Cavan Set Dancers invite you to "Dancing in the Drumlins 2006" on Friday, 10th, Saturday 11th and Sunday 12th February, the first of this year's swiftly growing "Nyah" (Co Cavan Traditional Arts Festival) programme of events. The Cavan Set Dancers are together for many years, and aside from organising workshops and ceilis they regularly help out at charity events, adding greatly to the visual enjoyment of our traditional music.
"Dancing in the Drumlins 2006" will see the their most ambitious project to date take place in the Cavan Crystal Hotel, Dublin Road, Cavan Town.
Last year's one-day and night of Irish dancing has expanded into a three-day celebration of good music, good dancing and great craic. It will feature a fantastic line up in Ceili Bands from Clare, Cork and Meath, with tutors from Longford, Louth, Tyrone and Cavan. There will be day workshops, lunchtime recitals from Cavan's lilter Seamus Fay and Cavan Town Comhaltas Group, evening music by button accordionist Martin Donohoe and Euro Ceol, and dancing every night to good music till the wee small hours.
PROGRAMME
The Programme is as follows: Friday night 10th -- Ceili 10pm-1am with Michael Sexton and Pat Walsh; Saturday night 11th -- Ceili 10pm-1am with Tim Joe and Anne O'Riordan; Sunday afternoon 12th -- Ceili 3.30pm-6.30pm with the Davey Ceili Band.
Saturday Set dancing workshops 10.30am-4.30pm with Gerard Butler, plus Sean Nos Dancing with Kathleen McGlynn; Sunday workshop 11am-1pm, Two Hand Dances with Marie Garrity, plus the Cavan Set with Marian Crowe.
Weekend tickets are €30. For further details contact Marian Crowe 087 4169266, Terry Crowe 049 43 31092 or 086 1591354; Cavan Town CCE Brid Flynn 087 8167373 or Paul Cooney 087 2855105; or email <martindonohoe@iolfree.ie>.
"NYAH" 2006
An exciting programme is being finalised for Cavan's "Nyah" Traditional Arts Festival this year over the months of February, March and April (updates can be found on the <www.cavanmusic.com> website).
The flagship Nyah weekend of events takes place from March 10th-12th, and its highlights will include the launch of accordionist Martin Donohoe's eagerly awaited "Tasty Touches" CD at the Cavan Crystal Hotel on Friday 10th, with an all-star concert including the legendary fiddler Frankie Gavin (to be broadcast on RTE Radio 1 and Raidió na Gaeltachta), and the launch of Monaghan harpist Michael Rooney and Sligo flute player June McCormack's "Land's End" CD on Saturday 11th in the Farnham Arms Hotel, also featuring Frankie Gavin and a host of top musicians and singers. Events on the Sunday will include a Traditional Singers' Session at the Abbey Bar, Cavan.
Needless to day, a long list of "seisiuns" and other activities will be taking place all over the town throughout! Now in its third year, the Cavan's Nyah festival tips the hat to the traditional music, song and dance of the county, and is indeed committed to celebrating all forms of art. The title "Nyah" comes from Martin Donohoe, the main driving force behind all the events. No other word quite captures the lift, soul and very essence of great traditional playing and singing.
Be sure to be there for some of it!
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