IrishMusicInfo
The Sunday Tribune Weekly Traditional Music Column by Fintan Vallely
991017
Scoil ShŽamuis Ennis has been running a packed programme at Naul, Co. Dublin since its opening by Mick Moloney on Wednesday last. Its three days of recitals and workshops by such as Robbie Hannan, Noel Hill, Jackie Daly, Marcas î Murchœ, Paul Dooley, Billy McComiskey, Mary Bergin and Kathleen Loughnane conclude tonight with music at Killians of the Naul and set dance with PJ Hernon's Swallow's Tail in Ballyboughal Hall. One wonders if the PR-driven box-office stints anything in such local/educational scenes, or is goodwill and satisfaction big enough (as in other musics) to accommodate the voluntary labours that produce and hone the upcoming generation of top, professional players? On the crest of their wave at the moment are Lœnasa, just back from a highly-successful month-long, coast-to-coast promotional tour of the US. Formed in 1997, the band is in unique in not bothering with the formality of a singer - often the weak link in Traditional groups - putting their money on the Chieftains' formula of tight arrangements from top-class instrumentalists. Named - as are the Friel play, Gerry O'Connor and the late Eithne N’ Uallach‡in's group L‡ Lugh - after "an ancient Celtic harvest festival in honour of the Irish god Lugh, patron of the arts", they began in 1997 with ex-Waterboys' bassist Trevor Hutchinson, he born in Cookstown, Tyrone, and like Dublin/Galway guitarist Donogh Hennessy a member of Sharon Shannon's last band. Mayoman Sean Smyth is the melodic centre on fiddle with Birmingham/Clare flute player Kevin Crawford, Belfast piper John McSherry and Manchester flute player Mike McGoldrick. Cillian Vallely of Armagh joins them now on uilleann pipes on the Irish tour as McGoldrick has stretched from Flook to Scots group Capercaillie. This evening West Cork fiddler Connie O'Connell's launches his long-awaited album 'Ceol Chill na Martra' at the Riverisland Hotel, Castleisland, Co. Kerry. It marks the latest in a spree that includes recordings by Martin Hayes, Desi Donnelly and Liz Doherty. Next Wednesday Boston/Cape Breton Jerry Holland takes his brand of fiddling to the Lobby, Cork, and thence to Dolans of Limerick on Sunday next. But this month is exceptionally rich in touring Irish performers - all, for once - like 'Rangy Ribs' in the song - at home. Tonight Moher play in Lisdoonvarna, singer Sean Keane is at the R—is’n Dubh, Galway on Tuesday and Wednesday, Karan Casey at The Glen theatre, Cork on Saturday, and HQ, Dublin on Sunday next. The week's biggest concert is Liam O'Flynn, impressively at the NCH, Dublin, with Arty McGlynn, 'the band' and guests Carlos Nunez and fiddler Sean Keane. They also play on Sunday next at St. Iberius' church, Wexford. But it is Lœnasa who dominate the week on tour - playing tonight at Siamsa T’re, Tralee, at McCarthy's, Baltimore on Monday, R—is’n Dubh on Wednesday, Vicar St., Dublin on Thursday and The Menagerie, Belfast, on Saturday next.
©Fintan Vallely, IrishMusicInfo.com
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