| Echoes of Erin tour THE
annual event celebrates its 33rd year with a line-up of some of the most
accomplished musicians, singers and dancers on the Irish traditional music
scene.
The 2006 concert tour of Britain artistes are the same as the party which
toured Ireland last year — with the exception of Vincent Jordan
who has been replaced by Damian Mullane from London.
And Vincent is certain they are set to thrill audiences across the country.
The chairman of the Provincial Council of Britainhas this run-down of
the artists involved:
Seana Agnew: A brilliant flute player from Crosskeys
in Co. Antrim. I was delighted to see her as a member of this group.
Phádraig McGovern: A piper from Ballymcgovern
who gives a truly masterful playing of two reels on the pipes. I have
listened to piping for many years but this level of mature piping from
such a young man is exceptional.
Daire McGeown: Has a light, well-ornamented and very
accurate style of playing banjo. He is the only man I know who can play
banjo whilst completing one of the broadsheet crosswords and listening
to Siobhan Ni Chonarain playing at the same time.
Nora Butler: What can we say about this singer? She
has performed all over the world and to me she is just getting better
and better.
Ronan Green: A young Galway man who is already playing
fiddle to a very high standard.
Phádraig King: A very talented button accordion
player from Limerick. As well being a live-wire character Phádraig
is a highly-skilled musician.
Eimear Buckley: Eimear’s concertina playing of
the reel Feeding the Birds is simply beautiful. Full of rhythm and style.
Geraldine O’Callaghan: Plays fiddle with a level
of talent I have seldom experienced and I am sure she will go on to be
one of the all time greats.
Donnie Lyons: From Glynn in Co. Limerick, Donnie Lyons,
is the present All-Ireland senior male singing champion. Donnie has a
lovely, lilting style of singing with a very clear diction. Donnie is
also a lovely concert flute player and I was privileged, to share some
tunes with him at post concert sessions.
 Sabina
McCague: The Bees Wing hornpipe was her selection for her solo
piece harp piece. This tune is a very difficult piece. To play the melody
on a harp just shows the talent of this young lady. This is harp playing
at its very best.
Patricia Ward, Katie Flannery, Carly Adams, and Ciara Gill:
Four dancers who regularly represent West London Comhaltas at events.
Talented dancing, energy, and skilled interpretation shows in their step-dancing,
set, cÈilÌ and progressive routines.
Tour venues and dates:
Saturday, February 25: St. Kentigern’s Social Club, Hart Road, Fallownfield,
Manchester. Tickets contact Maureen Martin 0161 866 9604 or Sarah Williams
0794755244, e-mail: m100kev@hotmail.com
Sunday, February 26: Tyneside Irish Centre, Gallowgate, Newcastle upon
Tyne. Tickets contact Sarah Masterson 0191 261 0384, John Limer 0191 487
7542, e-mail: Tyneirishcentre@btconnect.com.
Monday, February 27: Couper Institute, Clarkston Road, Glasgow. Tickets
contact Stephen Murphy 0141 777 8449, Moira Callaghan 0141 586 2862, Allison
Cullen 01698 834325.
Tuesday, February 28: YMCA Theatre, East Street, Leicester. Tickets are
now available for the concert; and cost £6 for the stalls and £7
for the balcony. Doors open at 7pm with the concert commencing at 8pm.
For Tickets contact Mary O’Neill 0116 282 5126, or Rosaleen Duddy
on 07720 499314.
Wednesday, March 1: Mumford Theatre, Anglia Polytechnic University, Uni
East Road, Cambridge. Tickets contact Kathleen Collins. 01223 363682,
e-mail: enquiries@warkworthhouse.co.uk. Box Office 01223 352932.
Thursday, March 2: St Albans, Shamrock Centre, Welling Garden City. Tickets
contact SÈamus Brogan 01375380355, Oliver OíReilly 01727839522,
or Ivan Anderson 01727761870.
Friday, March 3: Haringey Irish Centre, Haringey, London. Tickets contact
Joan Burke 01582 529945, Pat Connolly 02089047967, Jim Myers 02072639366.
Saturday, March 4: Newport South Wales, Ebbw Bridge Club, Maesglas, Newport.
Tickets contact Graham Johnstone 01633 276349 or Willie Cowan 01291 425880.
A farewell concert takes place in Cultórlann na hÉireann,
Monkstown, Dublin on Sun 12th Feb at 8.30pm Tel: (00353 1) 280 0295 Fax:
(00353 1) 280 3759, e-mail: enquiries@comhaltas.com. Website: www.comhaltas.com.
Sponsored by www.enjoytravel.co.uk.
|
