What's On › In Our Area

    21 Apr

    Coleman Junior Music Feis

    Competitions

    Coleman Junior Music Feis on Saturday, April 21st, at 12 noon. Age Groups are U8, 8-10, 10-12, 12-15. Age reckoned from 1st January, 2012. N.B. Minimum of three competitors in each category Entries taken from 11.00am Entry Fee: €3 Entries in advance to James McCarrick, Ceoláras Coleman. Under 8 play one tune - Others two tunes.

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    26 May

    Eleanor Shanley, Paul Kelly, Mick Hanly, Frankie Lane & Seamus Begley

    Concerts

    Musiclee.ie presents ‘Folk The Recession’ bringing together five of Ireland’s top folk acts for an exceptional evening of music, story and song. Eleanor Shanley. As well as her solo career and her time as lead vocalist with De Danann, Eleanor has recorded with Eddi Reader, Tommy Fleming, Desi O’Halloran, Dolores Keane, The Dubliners, Frankie Lane & Paul Kelly, Christy Hennessy, Sharon Shannon and Christy Moore. Accordion player and singer Séamus Begley is one of the most popular Irish traditional musicians, coming as he does from one of the most musically acclaimed Irish families. He plays with an energy that is alarming, bringing a frisky spontaneity to his box-playing, belting out jigs, slides and polkas with rapid sprays of reckless ornamentation before making a sudden key change into a bitter-sweet air, sung or played on the accordion. Frankie Lane. Original front man of the legendary Fleadh Cowboys, is one of Ireland’s best-known performers of country rock, western swing music and a traditional musician of international renown. Mick Hanly. Best known for ?Past the Point of Rescue?. Mick is one of Ireland’s finest singer/songwriters, and a lead singer with Moving Hearts in the ’70s. Paul Kelly. Experienced multi instrumentalist, has performed with The Fleadh Cowboys, The Sharon Shannon Band and Jerry Fish and The Mudbug Club amongst others.

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    23 Mar

    Gerry McCann Traditional Music Weekend

    Classes, Concerts, Festivals, Sessions, Dancing

    Friday 23rd March 8.00pm Junior Session in Mahon’s Hotel Saturday 24th March WORKSHOPS Registration at 9.30 -10.00 10am - 4pm in Bawnacre Centre, Irvinestown Lunch Break 12.30 - 2.00 (Hot food on Sale in Bawnacre) Fees per person £5, Family of three £12, Family of four £15 Tutors Fiddle - Paddy Ryan Whistle and Flute - Kay Webster Button Accordion - Annette Owens Singing - Brendan Nugent Bodhrán - Junior Davey Irish Language - Fr. McGourty MASS 7pm - Sacred Heart, Irvinestown for deceased members of CCÉ 9.30pm Session in Mahon’s Hotel, Irvinestown Musicians Young and Old are welcome to a great evening’s music with All Ireland Champions Kay Webster, Annette Owens, Brenda McCann and local musicians. Sunday 4pm - 7pm Singing Session in Mahon’s Hotel, Irvinestown with Catherine McLaughlin, Gabriel McArdle and Brendan Nugent.

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    26 Apr

    Leitrim Fleadh 2012

    Competitions, Concerts, Festivals, Sessions, Dancing

    Fleadh Cheoil Liatroma - Druimseanbhoth Thursday 26th April 9.30 pm Singers Night in Monica’s Pub, with Fionnuala Maxwell and friends. All Singers Welcome Friday 27th April Launch of Fleadh Liatroma 2012 - Lough Allen Hotel. Followed by Seisiún Mór in Bar with Drumshanbo Comhaltas and friends. Saturday 28th April 1.30 pm Under 10 Competitions in the Community Centre. 5.00 pm All Dancing Competitions in the Community Centre. 7.30 pm Youth Session in the Education Centre, Lough Allen. 9.00 pm Beer Garden Session in The Mill Race Pub. All Welcome Sunday 29th April 11.30 am Aifreann Tráidisiúnta, St. Patrick’s Church. 12.30 pm Boxty Brunch and Session in Henry’s Haven. 1.30 pm ALL COMPETITONS including Comhrá Gaeilge in The Vocational School. 3.00 pm Official Opening of Fleadh Liatroma 2012 by Senator Pascal Mooney in The High Street. 6.30pm - 9.00 pm Open Air Busking Competition throughout the Town. 9.30 pm Tribute to Padraig McManus in Berry’s Tavern Impromptu Sessions through Week-End in Conways, Olivia D’s and Welcome Inn Bígí linn agus bain aoibhneas as an gCeol agus Craic

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    03 Mar

    A Night of Music, Song & Dance

    Concerts, Sessions, Dancing

    This concert will feature musicians from all over Co. Sligo who will be representing the various Comhaltas branches. Groups from West Sligo (Dromore West), South Sligo (Tubbercurry) Sligo town branch and the ‘Fred Finn branch (Ballintogher) will present their former all Ireland winners and impressive new performers. Michael Hurley, Ballymote, will present his 12-15 Céilí Band (all Ireland winners) and a group of Sean Nós Dancers, under the tutorship of Edwina Guckian will also be featured. This is the first concert in Ceoláras Coleman for 2012 and is being eagerly looked forward to by its many loyal patrons. No doubt, they will be joined by traditional music lovers from Co. Sligo and beyond.

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    08 Jun

    Fermanagh County Fleadh 2012

    Competitions, Concerts, Sessions, Dancing

    Fermanagh County Fleadh wiil take place in Irvinestown from 8th - 10th June 2012 Exponents of traditional music should be getting their entries in to take part in the Fermanagh Fleadh next month. Irvinestown branch of Comhaltas will be hosting this year’s Fermanagh Fleadh and preparations are well under way to ensure it is a great feast of Irish traditional music, song and dance which will bring a great atmosphere to the town. The weekend will feature many events including competitions, concerts, sessions, fleadh mass and a band parade. The Fleadh takes place on June 8, 9 and 10. One of the biggest events at the fleadh are the competitions, which can be enjoyed by members of the public, provide competitors with a platform for public performance and the opportunity to qualify for the Ulster Fleadh. Irvinestown is expecting large numbers of competitors from the nine branches of Comhaltas in Fermanagh this year reflecting the immense interest in Irish traditional music, song and dance in the county. All competitions are being held in St. Mary’s College. Ensemble competitions, duets, trios, ceili bands and grupai cheoil take place on Saturday, June 9 starting at 10am and solo competitions are on Sunday, June 10 starting at 10am. Throughout the weekend musicians and listeners alike will be treated to performances and sessions with leading musicians from all over Ireland including Jim Mc Killop, fiddle, well known performer and fiddle maker. Grainne Hambly from Mayo on harp and concertina, Edel Connolly from Monaghan on banjo and piano accordion, Mary Murray from Galway on flute and whistle, Kay Webster from Tipperary on flute, Philip Clarke from Cavan on piano and piano accordion, Martin Donohue also from Cavan on button accordion and Pauline Sweeney, singer from Donegal. Closing date for entries is Friday, May 18 to Ann Mc Cann, The Commons, Irvinestown, telephone 02868621178

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    28 Sep

    Frank Finn Traditional Singing Weekend

    Festivals, Sessions

    The Frank Finn Traditional Singing Weekend takes place on the 28th to 30th September 2012, in the Yeats Country Hotel, Rosses Point, Co. Sligo. The weekend will include Singing Sessions, Music Sessions, Lectures, a Tour, Workshops. Contact: Special Accommodation rates in hotel - +353 71 9177211. info@yeatscountryhotel.com

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    28 Sep

    Frank Finn Traditional Singing Weekend

    Festivals, Sessions

    The Frank Finn Traditional Singing Weekend takes place on the 28th to 30th September 2012, in the Yeats Country Hotel, Rosses Point, Co. Sligo. The weekend will include Singing Sessions, Music Sessions, Lectures, a Tour, Workshops. Contact: 0876935909 or 0872632437 Special Accommodation rates in hotel - +353 71 9177211. info@yeatscountryhotel.com

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    09 Dec

    5th Annual John-Joe Gordon Festival

    Concerts, Festivals, Sessions, Dancing

    Friday 9th December 9.00pm Wark Hall Mixed Ceilí with The Lough Erne Ceilí Band, refreshments served Saturday 10th December 2.00pm Fiddlestone Pub Singing with RITA GALLAGHER Followed by Singing Session at 4pm 2.00pm Wark Hall Sean Nós Dancing with BRENDA O’CALLAGHAN 4.00pm Wark Hall Fiddle with TOMMY PEOPLES (Intermediate Upwards) 8.30pm The Gillaroo Centre Garrison Concert Featuring Maaireád Ní Mhaonaigh Ben Lennon Gabriel McArdle Rita Gallagher Tommy Peoples Ronan Regan Irene Guckian Fermanagh Youth Group Sunday 11th December Sessions in Village 6pm Fiddlestone Finale Session Sessions Throughout Village over the Week-End

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    09 Dec

    Session Nollaig

    Sessions

    Our Christmas Session will be held in Monica’s, High Street, Drumshanbo on Friday 9th December 2011 at 9pm All Welcome

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    01 Jan

    Fiddle with Clare Bohan

    Classes

    Each class will last for 40 minutes. Please collect your child from the room at the end of the class. Each class costs €8 per child and €10 per adult. Children/Unwaged €80 Adults : €100 for 10 lessons

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    01 Jan

    Button Accordion with Brian Mostyn

    Classes

    Each class will last for 40 minutes. Please collect your child from the room at the end of class. Each class costs €8 per child and €10 per adult. Children/Unwaged: €80 Adults: €100 for 10 lessons

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    29 Oct

    Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann 1961 50th Anniversary

    Concerts, Festivals, Sessions, Dancing

    Saturday 29th October 11.30am - 1pm Junior Singing Club - Bolands Bar 3.00pm Official Opening by Seamus Mac Mathuna - O’Connors Bar followed by, Down Memory Lane, talk and reflection of 1961 Fleadh. Traditional Music throughout the evening. 8.30pm Singers Singing Club - Melletts Emporium Sunday 30th October Aifreann na Gaeilge - Our Lady Help of Christian’s Church 12.45pm Marching Bands Exhibition - Main Street 3.30 - 5.30pm Seisiun na nÓg with Rob Thornburg - Horkans Lounge 8.00pm Gala Concert featuring participants from 1961 Fleadh and prize winners from current Fleadhanna - Gateway Hotel Presentation of medals to members of original committee by An Seanadóir, Labhrás Ó Murchú, Árd Stiúrthóir CCÉ Monday 31st October 11.30am Historical walk with Michael Comer - Streets of Swinford 9.30pm CÉilí Mór by Neilly O’Connor - Jullians of Midfield Traditional Music and Singing Sessions through out the Weekend

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    19 Oct

    Comhaltas Concert Tour of Ireland 2011

    Concerts

    Macalla na hÉireann, the 2011 Comhaltas Concert Tour of Ireland will perform in Fermanagh on Wednesday 19th October in Brollagh School, Belleek. The annual Tour features the best of traditional talent drawn from all four Provinces of Ireland.

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    01 Nov

    14th Annual Festival Commemorating John Egan (Flute Player)

    Concerts, Festivals, Sessions, Dancing

    Tuesday 1st November 9.00pm SET DANCING NIGHT - Community Centre Wednesday 2nd November 8.00pm TALK ON TRADITIONS by Joe McGowan/ Musice, Song & Story - Moran’s Lounge Thursday 3rd November BILINGUAL TABLE QUIZ - Donegan’s Lounge - Oíche Gaelach, Caint & Craic Friday 4th November 8.00pm OFFICIAL OPENING by Mr. Hubert Kearns, Sligo Co. Manager TRADITIONAL CONCERT including Special Guest Artists - Mick Foster Group & Local C.C.E members Saturday 5th November 11.00am GAEILGE AR MAIDIN - Talk on Place Names by Seosamh MacMuirí & Bingo - Gaelach 2.00pm CHARITY FUN RUN/WALK from Community Centre (In aid of Trocaire) 4.30pm SINGING SESSION - Donegan’s Lounge 5.00pm CONNACHT & ALL IRELAND, Fleadh Winners 2011 - Celebration (From Sligo) Guest - Mr. Michael Fleming, Cathaorleach, Sligo Co. Council - Community Centre 9.30pm Ceili - Dartry Ceili Band (All Ireland Fleadh Winners 2009) Sunday 6th November 11.30am Áifreann na Féile - Church of St. Therese & Commemoration at John Egan Memorial 2.30pm Unveiling of Monument to Musicians, Singers & Dancers of Lavally Area - by Senator Labhrás Ó Murchú, Árd Stiúthóir C.C.E, followed by session in Community Centre 9.30pm Slán Abhaile Session

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    23 Sep

    Féile an Fhómhair

    Concerts, Festivals, Sessions, Dancing, Music Schools

    Friday 23rd September 8.00pm Official Launch - An Chéibh - Open Invitation Taste of Erris - Local food showcase 9.30pm Pub Sessions - Seisiún Ceoil Saturday 24th September 10.00am Registration for Workshops - Áras Inis Gluaire 10.30 - 3.30pm Music & Dance Workshops €10 Fiddle - John McHugh Accordion - Tommy Doherty Whistle - Colm O’Donnell Singing - Rosie Stewart Damhsa Sean Nós - Micheal ÓDubháuin Harvest Knot Workshops (€Free) 11.30am - 12.30pm, 1.00pm - 2.00pm, 2.30pm - 3.30pm 1 Hour Workshops Lisa Fahey, Museum of Country Life Suitable for ages - 7 upwards Introduction to Uilleann Pipes (Free) John Butler 12.30pm - 1.30pm Demonstration, questions & answers, try them yourself! 3pm - 7pm - Pub Sessions Pub sa Chúine, O’D’s, Clann Lír 3pm Singing Session; An Chéibh 7.30pm Paddy Mills Tribute Concert - Áras Inis Gluaire (€10/€5 con.) 9.30pm Pub Sessions - McDonnell’s, An Chéibh, Western Strands Sunday 25th September 12.30pm Ceol ar an tStráid le Grúpa Muintearas

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    25 Aug

    Coleman Traditional Festival 2011

    Competitions, Concerts, Festivals, Sessions, Dancing

    The Coleman Traditional Festival 2011 will be the 13th Festival to be held in Ceoláras Coleman, Gurteen from Friday 25th to Sunday 28th August. This great traditional music week-end, dedicated to the memory of the legendary Michael Coleman, is held in Gurteen Village with some events at Mountirwin Centre close to Coleman’s ancestoral home. This 2011 Festival promises a traditional music week-end to equal if not surpass anything that has gone before. Organised by Craobh Coleman C.C.E. the events take place in the excellent venue at Ceoláras Coleman which feature a New Exhibition Area and Coffee Shop. Thursday, August 25th 9pm Official Opening Rambling House with John Duggan as ‘fear an tí’ with local and visiting musicians, singers & dancers Friday, August 26th 10pm Céilí - Annaly Céilí Band Saturday, August 26th 10am - 12noon Music Workshop with Tony de Marco 2pm - Coleman Fiddle Competitions in Ceoláras Coleman Age Groups: U12, 12-16 & 16+ Valuable cash prizes 9pm Traditional Concert featuring ‘The Coleman Connection’ - The Davey Family (Swinford) (Great grand nephews & nieces of Michael Coleman) Sunday, August 28th 3pm Memorial Mass at Mountirwin followed by refreshments & Music Session 8pm Coleman Country Queen Competition Pub Sessions Nightly

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    30 Sep

    Frank Finn Traditional Singing Weekend

    Sessions

    Venue: Yeats Country Hotel, Spa & Leisure Club, Rosses Point, Co. Sligo Friday 30th September - 8.00pm : Official Opening followed by Singing Sessions. Saturday 1st October - 10.00am - 12.00noon : Singing workshops with special guests ; 12.00noon - 5.30pm : Tour to Dromahaire and boat trip on Lough Gill; Dinner available in Hotel; 8.30pm : “A Tribute to Michael Davitt” by Dónal Maguire; 9.30pm : Singing Session Sunday 2nd October - 12.00noon : Tea / Coffee followed by Recital with special guests ; 1.00pm : Farewell Singing Session Special Guests: Dónal Maguire, Micheál Quinn, Nan Tom Teaimín. Plus local and visiting singers. Contact - 086 3097596 / 086 3467071. Special Accommodation Rates Hotel contact details: Phone +353(0) 71 9177211 / Email: info@yeatscountryhotel.com Reference “tradsing”

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    10 Nov

    Ceol na Samhna 2011

    Classes, Concerts, Festivals, Sessions, Dancing

    Thursday 10th November Bi- Lingual Quiz Friday 11th November 8.00 pm Official opening by C.C.É Seamus Mac Cormaic and a tribute concert to Michael Loftus, in St. Brigid’s Hall, special guests FRANCIS KENNEDY & EMMA O’SULLIVAN. Saturday 12th November Music Workshops from 11.00am Step dancing workshop with MICHAEL TURBIDY 10am - 11.30am Set dancing workshop with BETTY McCOY 11.30am - 1pm in Cawley’s Hotel Humorous verse and Storytelling from 2pm - 5pm with special guest FRANCIS KENNEDY IN Cawley’s Hotel Singing session in MURPHY’S HOTEL at 8pm. Ceilí in St. Brigid’s Hall with Swallow’s Tail 10.00pm - 1am Sunday 13th November Sean Nos Dancing with EMMA O’SULLIVAN in Killoran’s from 12pm - 5pm. Youth session in the May Queen 3pm - 5pm There will be music and singing sessions throughout the town all weekend. SPECIAL ACCOMMODATION rates for the weekend

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    03 Aug

    The James Morrison Traditional Music Festival 2012

    Concerts, Festivals, Sessions, Dancing

    Friday 3rd August 2012 8.00pm Official Opening Reception in Riverstown Community Hall _Official Opening - TBA 9.00pm The James Morrison Commemorative Concert Saturday 4th August 11.00 - 12.30pm An Art Workshop in The Morrison Teach Ceoil with Gordon Darcy, Wildlife Artist 3.00pm James Morrison Festival Parade featuring Brookeborough Pipe Band, Morley Silver Band, Sligo Pipe Band also local and visiting musicians and dancers. 3.00 - 5.00pm Workshops Button Accordion Fiddle Sean Nós Dancing Flute & Tin Whistle Banjo 6.00pm Musical Tribute at James Morrison Memorial, Drumfin Commemorative address There will be a modest charge for refreshments at the reception 8.00pm - 9.30pm Singing Session Saturday Night 10.00 - 12.00pm Céilí on The Diamond Sunday 5th August 12.30pm Aifreann na Féile in Riverstown 3.00pm to 5.00pm Sunday Afternoon on The Diamond 7.00pm _ 9.00 - 11.00pm SUNDAY night Céilí on The Diamond Pub Sessions throughout the Village during the Weekend

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    31 May

    Sligo County Fleadh 2011

    Competitions, Concerts, Festivals, Sessions, Dancing

    Friday June 3rd Official Opening by Labhras Ó Murchu, árd Stiurthóir, CCÉ followed by a Traditional Concert in the Strand Bar. Saturday June 4th 10.30am COMPETITIONS - All Solo events - Comhrá, Music, Singing, Street entertainment - Pub Sessions. 9.30pm Céilí - Innisfree Céilí Band in The Rugby Club Sunday June 5th 9.30am Aifreann Traidisiunta, Strandhill 11.00am COMPETITIONS- Dancing, Duets, Trios, Groups, Bands Street Entertainment Failte roimh gach einne

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    29 Oct

    Fiddler of Dooney Competition and Festival 2011

    Competitions, Festivals, Sessions

    The Fiddler of Dooney Festival Hosted by The Sligo Town Branch of Comhaltas in association with Sligo Live, this years competition will take place in Sligo Town on Saturday 29th October (Junior) and Sunday 30th October (Senior). Full Programme Sat. 29th October Junior Fiddler of Dooney Competition - 11.00am - The Methodist Hall, Wine Street, Sligo Sun 30th October Senior Fiddler of Dooney Competition - 2.00pm - The Methodist Hall, Wine Street, Sligo Sligo Town Branch of CCÉ in association with Sligo Live Festival are hosting the Fiddler of Dooney Competition over the October Bank Holiday weekend. The Competition, inaugurated in 1965, is one of the oldest and most prestigious instrumental competitions in the tradition and is inspired by the W B Yeats poem of the same name. The roll of previous winners reads like a who’s who of traditional fiddling and includes Matt Cranitch, Cathal Hayden, Brid Harper, Liz Kane, Paddy Glacken, Seamus and Manus McGuire. Coincidentally, since Sligo Live and CCÉ first hosted the competition, all the winners have been women. Tara Breen 2006, Laura Beagan 2007, Bronwyn Power 2008 Aoife Ní Bhrion 2009 and last year’s winner was Rhona Lynch from Offaly. Contestants have come from all over the country and from traditional musicians based overseas. Competitors need not be tied to any rigid formula or to play in a Sligo style, although Sligo Live celebrates the Sligo style with its infectious lift. For more than a century there have been strong links between traditional music in Sligo and the U.S.A. To recognise and strengthen this bond The Fiddler of Dooney brings an adjudicator over from America each year. Brian Conway, Liz Carroll, Tony De Marco and Kevin Burke have all filled the role and this year we are privileged to have Maurice Lennon, our Leitrim neighbour, now based in Chicago, who together with former winner, Brid Harper, will judge the competition. Music lovers, competitors and their families are promised a brilliant weekend of music and hospitality for in Sligo. The timing is excellent as the school mid-term break follows the bank holiday weekend. The main competition is open to all traditional fiddle players over the age of 16 and there is a junior competition for under-16s. The competition is second to the All-Ireland in its prestige and a substantial prize fund is on offer to the winners and runners up of both the senior and junior competitions. Click on the website link above for entry form and latest information

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Programmes

Traditional Music Seminars for Leaving / Junior Cert Students

The Coleman School of Music is continuing its programme for Leaving/Junior Cert Students with a one day course that can be arranged on a date to suit your school. This…

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Check out Ceoláras Coleman Live Sound Recordings in the Comhaltas Archive