Homecoming concert of trad
ENJOY a night of ceol agus craic with fiddler Gerry O’Connor and singer/flute player Nuala Kennedy at their home coming concert of traditional music which takes place in An Tain Arts Centre on Thursday night at 8pm.
Gerry and Nuala have been organising this annual get together featuring some of the town’s top trad musicians who are home for Christmas for a number of years,
Having previously been held in The Spirit Store, the concert has found a new home in An Táin Arts Centre and gives local audiences a great opportunity to hear some of the area’s leading traditional musicians and artists who are busy touring the rest of the year.
Gerry is one of Ireland’s best known fiddle players, and currently tours with the Canadian Irish legends The Irish Rovers and is a founder of the band Oirialla (playing music of the local area) alongside Nuala Kennedy and accordionist Martin Quinn, having previously been a member of Skylark and La Lugh.
Gerry started the year touring Germany, Switzerland and France, with Breton guitarist Giles le Bigot. This was followed by a six week tour of North America with the Irish Rovers, playing to over 10,000 people in Ontario Canada on St Patrick’s Day.
He was joined by flute player Dave Sheridan and local harpist Deirdre Ni Bhuachalla for the Create Louth event Crinnniu na Casca at Old Melifont Abbey.
Gerry also organised the musicians for the second Dublin Choral festival when members from eight American choirs came together, rehearsed and performed at Christ Church Cathedral in July.
He also completed a solo tour of West to East Coast concerts in the United States in LA, San Francisco Bay area and then the Boston area for a total of 14 concerts.
November saw Gerry making his drama debut with the Newpoint Players when he played Thomas D’Arcy McGee when the group brought their play The Trial of the Orange Order” by Anthony Russell. to Ottawa, Montreal and Toronto for a most successful run of the play. It is planned to perform the play in Counties Louth , Monaghan and Down over the months of January and February.
Dundalk native Nuala Kennedy is a traditional singer and flute player of world renown who has four solo records to her credit. Known for her engaging live performances, she has played at festivals and concerts around the globe with her own band and as a member of several international touring ensembles.
Nuala, who became part of the Scottish folk and trad scene when she lived in Edinburgh, has recently relocated to Ennis, County Clare from California.
Joining Gerry and Nuala will be they young fiddler Áine McGeeney, who learned her music from Gerry’s mother, Rose. Áine has completed a very busy year her with her band Goitse
Monaghan piper Tiarnán O’ Duinnchinn, who used to play alongside Nuala in the local Ceili band Ceoltoiri Oga Oirialla has recently launched a new record launched called ‘Reggish Paddy’.
Frank Boyle, who performed in a number of local drama productions before moving to Finland many years ago will recite some of the beloved Kavanagh poetry on the night
This is always a great showcase of the talented local musicians and performers who spend much of the year touring at home and abroad, so go along and let them see that they are appreciated in their own town.