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FAMILY AT THE HEART OF THE EVENTS DURING THIS YEAR’S CELEBRATION OF MUSIC AND SONG
At the heart of Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann 2018 is family and there will be no shortage of events for young musicians to get involved in this year.
Orla Brannigan, Cathaoirleach of the Fleadh Youth Committee has been working tirelessly since even before it was announced that her hometown would host the festival and is ensuring that young people of all ages will find something to do during the week.
“It’s brilliant to see so many events organised where young people can get join in and we hope children and young adults of all ages will make the most of what’s available,” says Orla, who also teaches weekly lessons with the Drogheda branch of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Eireann.
“One of the main highlights will be the Children’s Mid-Morning Sessions in the Barbican, which are hosted by some wonderful musicians from both Ireland and Scotland. Held every day from Monday to Thursday, they are on between 11am and 12pm, and the aim of the sessions is to cater for children who are not attending Scoil Éigse.”
Children should have a good basic knowledge of their instruments, and beginner tunes like Terry Teehan’s, The Kerry Polka and Roddy McCorley will be played.
“We are lucky enough to have four dif- ferent All-Ireland champions on board – Damian McGuinness on drums and accordion, Kathryn Browne on fiddle and flute, Anthony Kavanagh on banjo and Paddy Callaghan on accordion,” explains Orla, whose parents Lolo Robinson and Paddy Brannigan were two of the driving forces behind the successful Fleadh bid.
Trad fans will already know Paddy ‘ Trad with Pad’ Callaghan, because not only did he win BBC Radio Scotland Young Traditional Musician of the Year 2013 but is known as one of the foremost DJ’s in the world of the Trisco. (Trad Disco)!
From Glasgow, Scotland, he blends his love of Irish and Scottish Traditional Music, with dance beats and tunes from around the world to create a unique and thrilling experience.
“For the slightly older young people DJ Paddy will hold a Trisco in Electric Ballroom on the Friday night August 17th, and anyone over 18 is invited to go along from 11.30pm onwards,” says Orla, who like her sister Ciara, is an award-winning Irish dancer.
“If you like trad music and going for a boogie then this really is the perfect mix and it really has to be seen to be believed!”
Orla started Irish dancing as soon as she could walk and has been playing numerous instruments since she was about eight.
“My mum Lolo runs the Robinson School of Irish Dance and is Cathaoirleach Drogheda Comhaltas so I really didn’t have a choice,” says Orla with a laugh.
“But I love it, and it’s great to see local children taking part on events like the ‘ Cas Amhrán’ we held in June, with over 1,000 children turning up to O’Raghallaigh’s GFC, which epitomised that spirit of community.
‘Cas Amhrán’ will be featured on the Gig Rig on Wednesday 15thAugust when parents are invited to bring along their children as part of an exciting and varied programme of events tailored for families and young people.