Saturday 23rd
Scoil Cheoil An Earraigh
Various venues, Ballyferriter until Sunday 24th, scoilcheoil.com
The whole gamut of the tradition is there to be savoured at this year’s spring school. Today kicks off with early morning Irish language conversation classes followed by sean nós dance workshops and a lunchtime concert from music students. Breanndán Begley will lead a session of Na Caipíní in the mid-afternoon, and later, Steve Cooney will host a masterclass on harmony and syncopation. Tonight’s concert in Halla na Feothanaí will feature the sublime Time Edey with Steve Cooney, Dermot McLaughlin, Nell Ní Chróinín and others. Tomorrow will wrap up with a noon singing session, with Ballyferriter’s every nook and cranny hosting a song or a tune, or a dance step.
Saturday 23rd
Maya Youssef
The Dock, Carrick on Shannon 8pm €18, thedock.ie
Syrian composer and player of the qanun, a large, trapezoidal 78 stringed Middle Eastern plucked zither. It's the only musical instrument in the oriental takht (traditional Arabic ensemble) that can play all the notes of Arabic scales on open strings. Maya released her solo debut album, Syrian Dreams, in response to the outbreak of war in Syria. With a strong belief in the healing power of music, Maya is one of the very few women players of this instrument, which is long associated with male players only, in Arab musical traditions.
Saturday 23rd
An Góilín Singers' Club
The Teachers' Club, 36 Parnell Square 9pm €3, goilin.com
Máire Ní Chróinín, Eilish Kennedy, Jerry O’Reilly, Fergus Russell, Frank Nugent, Mick Keeley, Antaine Ó Faracháin and a raft of other club regulars gather to listen and sing traditional songs in any language. This is an open, welcoming singing session where singers can replenish their songbooks and listeners can relish in the robust state of health of our singing tradition.
Wednesday 27th
The Gathering
Gleneagle Hotel, Killarney until Monday, March 3rd, thegathering.ie
Altan, Mike McGoldrick, John McCusker and John Doyle, Paddy Keenan, Frankie Gavin, Paddy Glackin, Dermot Byrne and The Bonny Men are just some of the musicians who are being lured to this year’s Gathering. A sure highlight will be a special tribute concert to the music of Clare and Sliabh Luachra includes performances by the Lawnhawns featuring Andrew McNamara, The Conifers and The Sliabh Luachra Band with Paudie O’Connor, Gatehouse, Jackie Daly, Matt Cranitch and Paul De Grae.
