Irish Trad Music Blog

http://www.tradschool.com/en/tunes/farewell-to-connaught-sheet-music-mp3-downloads

Image by Getty Images via @daylife Satisfying a thirst for traditional music ... and Guinness : "Two nights, two days and a mandate to fill our short time in Dublin with music, a Guinness or two, and more music. These were the guidelines by which my husband Jeff and I played tour guide to our dear friends and Dublin newbies, Mo and Tim. Seasoned travellers to Dublin, Jeff and I were confident we could offer our travelling companions a memorable and traditional taste of this wonderful city that captured our hearts and imaginations on our very first visit. One of the first stops on our Dublin tour was the Guinness Storehouse . Guinness has been an Irish tradition since 1759. The current storehouse is home to seven floors of exhibits related to the history, production and advertising of the 'black stuff.'"

"MUSIC:�Joe Holmes: Here I Am Amongst You�By Len Graham Four Courts Press, 328pp. €55/€25 ‘THE SUB-CULTURE of the c�il�-house,” Len Graham writes in this spirited study, “was that of ordinary people with extraordinary skills and imaginations.” A vernacular culture was in safe keeping while musical families in Ireland went about maintaining and handing on a wealth of indigenous songs and tunes, with variations from district to district only adding a touch of localised esprit. Graham’s subject is the Co Antrim singer and fiddle- player Joe Holmes (1906-1978), and all the songs he includes in Here I Am Amongst You�come from Holmes’s repertoire." Songs to raise the roof - The Irish Times - Sat, Aug 21, 2010 :

"A new festival took the peasant poetry of the graves at Romania’s Merry Cemetery and put them to the music of Shaun Davey AS THE WIND whipped up and lightning crackled over the mountains of Maramures, Rita Connolly feared a pioneering Irish performance was about to end in disaster. “We looked at each other on stage as the storm strengthened and whispered that, if nothing else, this will make a great story for the memoirs,” Connolly said after the elements abated and allowed her and five other Irish soloists to finish playing in this remote corner of Romania. Though the stage wasn’t blown down, struck by lightning or flooded by rain, the inaugural La Sapanta festival will not quickly be forgotten by the Irish and Romanian musicians who performed there, or by those who witnessed their remarkable collaboration." Merry Cemetery set to music by Irish composer - The Irish Times - Sat, Aug 21, 2010 :

Irish Fest celebrates 30 years with tribute to N. Ireland - JSOnline : "Go green this weekend - for Ireland, that is. Thursday through Sunday, Irish Fest is back at Maier Festival Park with a slew of activities to celebrate the festival's 30th year. 'Whether you're there for the music, or you're there for the tug-of-war, or you're there for the currach races, there seems to be something for everybody,' said Jane Anderson, executive director of Irish Fest. Of the many things to see and do at Irish Fest, Anderson suggested starting at the Voyager Tent. There you'll find displays recounting the rich history of Irish Fest with storyboards, photos and memorabilia from past years. You'll see how the festival grew over the years, and who performed at each festival."

"Eileen Ivers & Immigrant Soul headline the inaugural Sterling Celtic Rock Festival They say as one festival closes, another opens. For the town of Sterling, the completion of the annual Renaissance Festival last weekend makes way for a rousing celebration of Celtic music and dance Saturday, Aug. 21, and Sunday, Aug. 22. The Sterling Celtic Rock Festival, pairing international touring bands and traditional Irish and Celtic dance, is a new venture presented by Empire Attractions. Six bands and several dance troupes will be featured on four stages." Syracuse New Times - The Central New York Alternative, Local Bands & Events Calendar - Fiddle Faddle

Image by TheLizardQueen via Flickr New series of Classes Announced at Roscommon Arts Centre 2010/08/16 : "Roscommon Arts Centre, who recently launched their new September - December Autumn programme, have just announced a new season of workshops and classes for both children and adults. These range from dance and music to theatre and visual art. More details of all classes are included in the new brochure which is available at the box office, by calling 090 6625824 or by checking the website www.roscommonartscentre.ie"

Image via Wikipedia Irish Band Dervish To Broadcast Pub Session 10/8 2010/08/17 : "Imagine the west of Ireland and the warmth of an Irish pub . In the corner, the hypnotic pulse of a traditional Irish music session, drawing you in as the turf fires crackle and the pints are downed late into the night. The music, constantly surging and moving, until at last, the entire pub is enveloped, moving and toe tapping to every note. For many, that image is but a fond memory of a visit toIreland, one which you'd love to revive, but which gradually fades, and will be fuelled again only by your next visit to Irish shores. But now, you can again get a taste for the best in traditional Irish music, this time, without leaving the comfort of your own home. Dervish, one of Ireland's greatest traditional Irish music bands, will play material from their extensive back catalogue, compiled over the past 21 years, popular session tunes Reels and Jigs played in their own unique way."

Image via Wikipedia The Irish Emigrant : "Bennington, Vermont hosts an impressive list of top international Irish performers this Labor Day weekend as the first annual Bennington Irish Music Festival takes place on Saturday and Sunday, September 4th and 5th at Colgate Park (1545 West Road) on Route 9. The festival runs from 11 am to 9 pm both days, with a Mass and ceremonial pipe band procession kicking off Sunday’s schedule. Families with children will find a full slate of festival fun, with activities including a dedicated Celtic Kids Zone. Irish step dancers, pipe bands , instrumental and dance workshops, face painting and magic are all included in the festival’s roster."

Image via Wikipedia "'Where's the craic ?' is a common Irish phrase, roughly translated as 'Where's the fun and good conversation?'� Minnesotans found it this weekend at the 32nd Annual Irish Fair of Minnesota. Located on Harriet Island, the fair overflowed with entertainment and good times. Large crowds flocked to watch Irish dancers such as the Saint Paul -based Rince na Chroi (Rink-a na Cree) dancers (equipped with the massive curly wigs), accompanied by the Two Tap Trio. Eager to dance themselves, some fairgoers tried their feet at set dancing and ceili (kay-lee) dancing." St. Paul has "the Craic" at Irish Fest | Twin Cities Daily Planet :

"Musicians Shane MacGowan and Damien Dempsey were the star attractions at the first Ceili Culture festival that took place over the weekend. The series of events -- aimed at celebrating the roots and future of Irish music, arts and culture -- took place in the Meeting House of Dublin's Temple Bar. Among the performers were Irish band Kila and singer Paddy Casey, who appeared on Saturday. Accordion player Sharon Shannon, meanwhile, was joined by Pogues lead singer MacGowan, soloist Dempsey and flute player Conor Byrne yesterday." Shane MacGowan star attraction at festival of ceili culture - Republic of Ireland, Local & National - Belfasttelegraph.co.uk :

"Music is in the air (and in all the hotels, libraries, parks, squares, halls, pubs and clubs) of Cavan Town (population 17,750) this week (August 16-22) as the town hosts the 60th Fleadh Cheoil na h�ireann (All-Ireland Fleadh) – a competition for the best practitioners of traditional Irish music , song and dance. The Fleadh is being held in Cavan for the first time since 1954, and the excitement is building. More than 250,000 people including 10,000 competitors from all over the world are expected to be in Cavan for this annual event." Music, Music, & More Music Converging on Cavan Town | Ireland Vacations | IrishCentral :

"Music is in the air (and in all the hotels, libraries, parks, squares, halls, pubs and clubs) of Cavan Town (population 17,750) this week (August 16-22) as the town hosts the 60th Fleadh Cheoil na h�ireann (All-Ireland Fleadh) – a competition for the best practitioners of traditional Irish music, song and dance. The Fleadh is being held in Cavan for the first time since 1954, and the excitement is building. More than 250,000 people including 10,000 competitors from all over the world are expected to be in Cavan for this annual event." Music, Music, & More Music Converging on Cavan Town | Ireland Vacations | IrishCentral :

Image via Wikipedia "THE SOUND of traffic on Cavan ’s narrow streets was replaced by music yesterday as the 60th annual Fleadh Cheoil na h�ireann got under way. An anticipated quarter of a million lovers of traditional music and song have begun flocking to the town for the event, which runs for the rest of the week. The fleadh, last held in Cavan in 1954, is an internationally recognised traditional Irish cultural event which also showcases traditional music, concerts, c�ilithe, parades, pageants, pub and street music sessions. Apart from the event itself, 800 participants are attending Scoil �igse, a major summer college of Irish traditional music and dance which is also being hosted in Cavan by the fleadh organisers, Comhaltas Ceolt�ir� �ireann."