Painting Westport’s grass blue

Westport Mayo Bridge Street 2007 08 12Image via Wikipedia"With over 10 free gigs, one headline event and a whole lot of foot stompin’, who needs a tent when you have Irish pubs? Top-class local, national and international folk and bluegrass acts will be playing a plethora of free gigs in venues throughout the beautiful town of Westport over the last weekend in June. Musicians and singers near and far are tuning up their instruments and soaking their vocal cords in honey (or whiskey) in anticipation of the annual Westport Folk and Bluegrass Festival.

Now in its fifth year, the festival will once again treat music lovers to a host of free gigs, as well as a music workshop, a musical lunch and a great big dollop of fun. The Westport Folk and Bluegrass Festival began life as one man’s dream to create a unique festival in the town in which he lived. After running into a brick wall when trying to book singer/songwriter Jimmy McCarthy for a one-off gig in the town, Uri Kohen decided enough was enough. Westport needed to be seen as a live music destination, and he would make damn sure it would be seen that way. It might be a small place on the western edge of an island on the edge of Europe – but that didn’t stop Uri from thinking big."
Related articles

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Irish Music School of Chicago Announces 4th Annual Francis O'Neill Irish Arts Week Kids Day Camp

Image
Chicago Police Chief Francis O'Neill 1901–1905 (Photo credit: Wikipedia ) The Irish Music School of Chicago proudly announces its fourth annual Francis O'Neill Irish Arts Week Kids Day Camp from July 21-26, 2014. The week provides a unique learning opportunity by bringing master traditional Irish musicians to Chicago to teach the many facets of traditional Irish arts to children ages 6-14. The Kids Day Camp teaches a wide range of subjects including traditional Irish music, singing, dancing, language and Celtic arts and crafts to children with no experience necessary. The camp takes place at Chief O'Neill's at 3471 N. Elston Ave. in Chicago Monday, July 21 through Friday, July 25, 9am-3pm with a finale recital for friends and family on Saturday, July 26. Buffet lunch including many traditional Irish dishes is provided Monday-Friday for the campers and is included in the cost of camp ($300 early registration through May 15, $350 late registration begin...
Read more

'3' is the magic number

Image
By Sean P. Feeny This month a trio of three young Donegal fiddle players who are continuing to push the boundaries of Irish traditional music are releasing their first album together. Fidíl began as a duo with Aidan O'Donnell and Ciaran Ó Maonaigh taking the Irish music world by storm with their 2008 self-titled debut album. Having used modern technology to create a unique, multi-layered fiddle sound on their album, the two musicians soon brought in fellow Donegal fiddle player, Damien McGeehan, to recreate that sound in a live environment. Aidan, who is Limerick County Council's current Artist-In-Residence at lectures at the University of Limerick (UL), said it has been an eventful year since the Dunkineely native and Ciaran from Gaoth Dobhair launched their debut album last summer. "The core idea behind our first album was to record the sound of two fiddles as a duet playing the traditional Donegal music, but with a difference. "Rather than using conventional tradit...
Read more

Shannon’s Lovely Vale

Image
English: Listowel Bridge, Co Kerry. Bridge of the River Feale in Listowel, Co. Kerry (Photo credit: Wikipedia ) Debut Album set for release by the All–Ireland Champions Shannon Vale Céilí Band www.shannonvaleceiliband.com Following on from their St. Patrick’s Day performance at Áras an Uachtaráin, Kerry’s award winning Shannon Vale Céilí Band are preparing to launch their debut album in Listowel, Co. Kerry on June 7th. Shannon’s Lovely Vale takes it’s title from a newly composed tune by renowned musician and composer, Maurice Lennon, of Stockton’s Wing fame. Having composed this piece in honour of the band, Lennon also features as guest artist on the recording. The album includes music and song of North Kerry, much of which previously has been unrecorded. The band comprises an impressive line–up of musicians featuring Sheila Garry and Colm Kissane (Fiddles), Marianne Browne (Flute/ Whistles), Joe O’Sullivan (Flute/Vocals), Mike Collins (Banjo/Mandolin/Flute), John ...
Read more