Top trio bring a Gaelic treat for music-lovers

MUSICIANS Tiarnán Ó Duinnchinn, Laoise Kelly and Kathleen MacInnes begin a Highland and Islands spring tour of Gaelic song, uilleann pipes and Irish harp this weekend.

Monaghan-born Tiarnán, described as being one of the most influential pipers of his generation, has played Ireland’s national bagpipe, the uilleann pipes, since he was around nine years of age in the Armagh Pipers Club, so he has served his 21-year apprenticeship.

Harpist Laoise, from Westport, County Mayo, has three solo albums under her belt, Just Harp (1999), Ceis (2010), Fáilte Uí Cheallaigh (2015) and The Wishing Well (2010), and has recorded on more than 60 albums with many of Ireland’s foremost artists. The Scots Trad Music Awards' Gaidhlig Singer of the Year, Kathleen MacInnes of South Uist, joins this duo with her 'robust, sassy and soulful' voice like 'peat smoke and good whisky'.

All three have toured and performed in all corners of the globe, and are coming to Skye at the Sabhal Mòr Ostaig at 8pm on May 3, followed by Mallaig’s West Highland Hotel on May 4 at 8.30pm, then Uig Community Centre on Lewis on May 5 at 8pm, Carinish Hall on North Uist on May 6 at 7.30pm and, lastly, at Caol Community Centre, Fort William, on May 12 at 8pm.