Siamsa to welcome trad musicians

IT’S exciting times again at Tralee’s Siamsa Tíre after they last week announced a new and exciting undertaking in support of traditional Irish music.

Organisers of the event are hoping that ‘The Trad Connections’ concert, taking place on Sunday November 19 at 8pm, will showcase a number of Ireland’s finest emerging traditional music groups from Kerry and beyond and that it will It will give them an opportunity to gain some professional guidance and perform their music to new audiences.

“Traditional music is alive and well in Kerry and Munster and it is important that these very talented musicians get the supports they need to help them take their music to bigger audiences and on to the next level,” said Jonathan Kelliher, Artistic Director of the National Folk Theatre of Ireland.

There is a great opportunity for traditional musicians at an international level but they need exposure to working in professional settings with large audiences to give them the experiences they need to become professional musicians,” he said.

Taking to the stage on the night will include Fuinneamh, Léarscáil, Trad Waves and Rèaltaì Nua.

Fuinneamh is a newly formed traditional Irish band consisting of 5 young musicians from west Limerick and North Kerry region that plays regularly in Browne’s Bar Castleisland. Band members include: Maura O’ Connor (concertina), Pádraig Enright (flute), Mícheál Broderick (banjo), Ian Sheehy (guitar) and James O’ Connor (bodhrán). The band stay true to their Sliabh Luachra roots while incorporating a modern twist into their music and their main influences are Lúnasa , 4 Men And A Dog, Flook and Socks In The Frying Pan.

Léarscáil is a three piece band from west and north Kerry. Alannah Kissane and Proinnsias and Máirtín Ó Cathasaigh are champion singers and musicians as well as Irish and Sean nÓs Dancers. They play a variety of instruments including harp, fiddle, concertina, whistle, flute, guitar, bodhran, piano etc. They perform at concerts and gigs of all descriptions as well as church and civil ceremonies and drinks receptions.

Trad Waves is a three piece group from Valentia Island consisting of Aoife Murphy (Guitar), Abbie Daly (Concertina) and Maeve Daly (Fiddle). They play traditional instruments and sing. These girls have been playing together for at least 10 years and have competed in many competitions such as ‘Scór na Nóg’, ‘Scór na bPáistí’ and the ‘Fleadh Cheoil’. They started gigging in the summer of 2016, and have been performing since. They have weekly traditional sessions in local establishments in South Mid Kerry.

Rèaltaì Nua is an all female group of five Comhaltas musicians from North Kerry including Aideen Quinlin, Clodagh Murphy, Caoimhe Scannell, Saoirse Cahill and Ali Cahill.

These talented musicians and singers confirm that the future is very bright for traditional Irish music in the south west.

Tickets are only €12/10 and an enjoyable evening of traditional Irish music and song is guaranteed; they are available to purchase by calling Siamsa Tíre Box Office on 066 7123055 or online at www.siamsatire.com