Last night’s fun was to catch Comhaltas‘s Macalla na hÉireann tour in Kilteel, sponsored by Bus Eireann & Foras na Gaeilge. This tour features a selection of extremely talented musicians identified through the Fleadh circuit showcasing traditional music, song & dance around the country, intertwined with a bit of craic and an Ghaeilge. The music was top drawer from start to finish, and the musicians, singers and dancers were great performers (particularly, for me, on the night, Róisín Ryan’s singing, Audrey Murphy on flute & tin whistle and Fionn Morrison’s uilleann piping).
There wasn’t a lot of emphasis on fiddle playing, for some reason; the presentation was a bit backward-focussed, assuming young people are a key target market; but my main issue was with the garb: the lads all in black was one thing (why not allow SOME individuality into the clothes considering there is so much individuality in the music?), but the poor, poor girls have to put up with a tour of the country wearing Bunratty Castle-type velvet dresses, complete with flared mesh sleeve extensions. Whatever about that being about right for the tourists (although it’s about as authentic as ringlet curls), and whatever about dancers, for musicians on a tour of their own country it seem “wrong” for the target audience of locals out just to hear some great music. I couldn’t help wondering who persuaded the women to wear the gear, how much resistance they put up against the idea, whether or not one or two of them could have threatened to walk out if they didn’t get to wear their own clothes, and how patronising and almost sexist the whole thing looks. Am I alone in that reaction?
Anyway, costume aside, for the music alone it’s a tour worth catching:
SCHEDULE
| Date |
Location |
Contact |
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| Tuesday, October 12th |
Oriel Centre, Old Gaol Dundalk |
Kay Webster 042 932 8887 orinfo@orielcentre.ie |
| Wednesday, October 13th |
Cavan Town Hall, Town Hall St. Cavan |
Martin Donohoe 086 234 2270 |
| Thursday, October 14th |
Glenfarne, Co. Leitrim |
Gerry Finneran 071 985 3084/087 894 1797 |
| Friday, October 15th |
“The Factory” The Wild Duck Inn, Portglenone, Antrim |
Eamon Graham 028 258 21025/ Geraldine Donnelly 028 258 21734 |
| Saturday, October 16th |
Dún Uladh, Omagh, Co. Tyrone |
Brendan McAleer 028 822 42777info@dunuladh.ie |
| Sunday, October 17th |
Ceoláras Coleman, Gurteen, Co. Sligo |
Box Office 071 918 2599meitheal.gurteen@comhaltas.com |
| Monday, October 18th |
Station House Theatre, Clifden, Co. Galway |
Marie Walsh 086 401 5342clifdencce@yahoo.ie |
| Tuesday, October 19th |
Cois na hAbhna, Ennis, Co. Clare |
Doreen Norris 065 682 4276coisnahabhna@comhaltas.net |
| Wednesday, October 20th |
Brú na Sí, Youghal, Co. Cork |
Micheál de Buitléar 087 164 2373 |
| Thursday, October 21st |
Ceolann Cultural Centre, Lixnaw, Co. Kerry |
Bridie Stack 086 164 2373 |
| Friday, October 22nd |
Brú Ború, Cashel, Co. Tipperary |
Box Office 062 61122info@bruboru.ie Donnchadh Ó Cinnéide 087 254 7412 |
| Saturday, October 23rd |
Clasac, Clontarf, Dublin 3 |
01 836 3060 info@clasac.ie |
ARTISTES
The 2010 Tour will include the following talented traditional performers:
| Name |
From |
Instrument |
| Róisín Ryan |
Ciarraí |
Bean a’Tí/Amhránaí |
| Ros Casserly |
Cill Mhantáin |
Rinceoir |
| Michael Curran |
Tír Eoghain |
Bosca Ceoil |
| Séamus Fay |
An Cabhán |
Amhránaí/Portaireacht |
| Fionn Morrison |
Baile Átha Cliath |
Píb Uilleann |
| Bernadette Nic Aoidh |
Muineachán |
Cruit |
| Audrey Murphy |
An Iarmhí |
Rinceoir |
| Avril Murphy |
An Iarmhí |
Rinceoir |
| Breda Shannon |
Ros Comáin |
Consairtín |
| Shauna Sweeney |
Muineachán |
Fidil |
| Killian Shannon |
An Clár |
Bainseó |
| Marie Walsh |
Gaillimh |
Bosca Ceoil |
| Maura Walsh |
Ciarraí |
Consairtín/Fidil |
| McElligotts |
Ciarraí |
Fuaim |
