Sligo’s musical families celebrated in Hawk’s Well’s streaming event
FROM Our Home To Yours is an online music show that celebrates musical talent from the creative bubbles in Sligo.
Families who are featured in the Hawk’s Well Theatre’s unique celebration include Seamie, Rory and Stephen O’Dowd; Niamh Crowley and family; and Michael Rooney and June McCormack. The show will be available to view for one week from tomorrow, Friday, April 23, until Friday next, April 30.
In addition to the treat it is to watch these talented families perform, the streamed event also includes Nichola MacEvilly interviewing the artists on the central role music plays in their lives. Seamie, Rory and Stephen O’Dowd are well-known faces around the Sligo and Irish music scene. Although usually active in their own musical pursuits, Seamie and his sons have been playing more frequently as an acoustic trio in recent times, successfully bringing their music beyond the lively pub jams around Sligo into a theatre setting on a number of occasions, as well as appearing on TV. This performance captures the synergy of their individual influences and demonstrates why the O’Dowds are held in such high esteem at home and abroad. An experienced recitalist, Niamh Crowley has worked with many renowned performers including Dervish, Stephen Rea, Brian Kennedy, Mary Black, Matt Molloy, Eddi Reader and Liam O’Flynn.
She now adds her two girls Róisín and Meabhdh and son
Eddie to that impressive list of collaborators.
Niamh’s husband Robert Fitzpatrick also loves to perform and makes a welcome cameo appearance in this uplifting family concert.
Michael Rooney and June McCormack complete the show with a special performance.
This husband and wife duo, also known as Draíocht, are veterans of the traditional Irish music scene and have substantial musical credentials.
They have already achieved great things individually, including major awards and two acclaimed recordings.They have toured extensively as Draíocht, having performed throughout the States, Europe, Australia and New Zealand.
Together as Draíocht, Michael Rooney and June McCormack have recorded two CDs: ‘Draíocht’ and ‘Land’s End’. They are currently recording their third studio album.
June Mc Cormack comes from Ballintogher and was recipient of the TG4 Young Traditional Musician of the Year Award in 1998. A primary school teacher by profession, she has published two Irish flute tutorials ‘Fliuit’, ‘Fliuit 2’ and most recently, ‘The Book of Sligo Tunes’.
Originally from Scotstown, Co. Monaghan and now resident in
Sligo, Michael’s output as a composer is impressive and includes four publications of recent suites, as well as 13 major suites for harp and ensemble or orchestra. Among the highlights of his recent orchestral and ensemble compositions are ‘Constance’ (Feb 2020), The Famine Suite (2019), The De Cuellar Suite (2011), The Reconciliation Suite (2015) and The Macalla Suite (2016). Bringing these performances together under one banner, ‘From Our Home to Yours’ is the perfect way to show off the talented families we have in Sligo.
Tickets are free with €1 booking charge and are available now from www.hawkswell.com.