Comhaltas Tour of Ireland Concert 2015 - "Macalla na hÉireann"

This year’s line up is as follows;

Sean Ó Sé (Cork) - Fear a’Tí / Singer / Narrator, 

Alice Fitzgerald (Waterford) –Singer / Narrator,

Tim Doyle (Dublin) – Uileann Pipes, Gráinne Nic Ghiobúin (Limerick) – Harp,

Vincent Murphy (Wexford) – Accordion, Paul Clesham (Mayo) – Concertina,

George McAdam (Monaghan) – Banjo, Fióna Nic Conmara (Dublin)  – Fiddle,

Sarah O’ Gorman (Waterford) – Fiddle, Séamus Tierney (Cavan) – Flute,

Jana McCarthy-Kent (Waterford) – Tin Whistle / Flute,

Séamus Ó Flathartha (Galway) – Dancer / Harp

Darragh Hurley (Kerry) – Dancer, Carla Ní hAiniféin (Kerry) – Dancer,

Eddie Murphy (Limerick) – Manager


Macalla na hÉireann Comhaltas Concert Tour of Ireland presents Echoes of 1916

Le Fear A’ Tí Seán Ó Sé Togha Ceoil le Rogha Amhránaíochta agus Rince Traidisiúnta na hÉireann in Omós do Éirí Amach na Cásca 1916 Macalla na hÉireann brings over two hours of the best of traditional entertainment to a wide range of venues and a wider range of audiences. These concerts illustrate the scope of the various traditional art forms- all aspects of solo and group virtuoso  instrumental music, songs as Gaeilge and traditional ballads, various forms of traditional
dancing and the art of storytelling and recitation.  Fear A’ Tí  for  Macallla na hEireann 2015 is the legendary singer and raconteur Seán Ó Sé who  needs no introduction to audiences throughout Ireland and the world over. Alice Fitzgerald , singer and narrator is a tour veteran who hails from Dungarvan. The line up of musicians includes many reigning All Ireland Champions and previous  All- Ireland prize-winners are as follows:  Séamus Tierney (flute/whistle) from Cavan, Vincent Murphy, Wexford (button accordion), Paul Clesham from Mayo (concertina and piano), Sarah O’ Gorman, Waterford, and Fiona Mc Namara, Dublin, on fiddles, George Mc Adams from Monaghan (banjo), Tim Doyle (Uilleann Pipes) from Dublin, Gráinne Nic Ghiobúin (Harp) from Limerick, Jana Mc Carthy Kent )whistle and flute) from Waterford, Séamus Ó Flatharta, harp and dancer from Galway and champion dancers Darragh Hurley and Carla Hanafin from Tralee. This year’s Comhaltas  tour includes a presentation which commemorates through our Irish song, music and dance, with narration, the long sequence of events that led to the 1916 Rising. Comhaltas, a recipient of the Eurpean Citizen’s Prize has been a powerful  force in bringing people of different politics and creeds together. It has been a bridge between communities and has 420 branches  worldwide promoting the music, song, dance and language of Ireland.  Comhaltas has 18 cultural centres, including 7 Regional Centres throughout Ireland complementing the voluntary CCÉ structures, involving upwards on 50,000 volunteers. Macalla na hÉireann 2015 is sponsored by Bus Éireann

Irish Tour 2015 Artists

Seán Ó Sé (Fear a’ Tí, Amhránaí, Reacaire)

Amhránaí atá clú agus cáil air in Éirinn agus thar lear is ea Seán Ó Sé. Seán, from Bantry in West Cork, first achieved fame with his hit version of An Poc ar Buile which he recorded with Seán Ó Riada and which, fifty years later, is still in demand. With Ceoltóirí Chualann he was part of the exciting Ó Riada years in the sixties, which blazed a new trail for Irish music and song. Other major recordings from that period include The Banks of My own Lovely Lee (with the RTESO) and Bhí Bean Uasal (Carrigfergus). Since Ó Riada’s death in 1971 Seán has appeared regularly on RTÉ on such programmes as The Late Late Show, The Gay Byrne Hour, Saturday Live, Ceilí House and Live at Three. He has recorded several albums, including Songs of Cork and Kerry, Babaró, Bantry on Song, and Heritage with Donal Lunny. There followed The Green Road with the Turloughmore Céilí Band and more recently two albums with Peadar Ó Riada – Idir Chúm Thóla agus Cúil Aodha and the highly acclaimed Through Banks of Mist. In 2010 a CCÉ tribute CD, Idir Shean agus Nua, was launched at Fleadh Cheoil na Éireann in Cavan.

Since 2005 Seán has toured frequently with Comhaltas’ Macalla na hÉireann in Ireland, Britain, the USA and Moscow. He has also performed with the Cashel based Brú Ború Group at World Expo 2010 in Shanghai and at World Expo 2015 in Milan. In 2011 as part of a Comhaltas Group he performed in Havana, Cuba, which included a memorable concert in the National Theatre of Cuba. Also in 2015 he represented Ireland at The Celtic Colours International Folk Festival in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia.

On Thursday 1 October 2015, Seán’s autobiography An Poc ar Buile – The Life and Times of Seán Ó Sé, co-written with Cork author Patricia Ahern, will be launched by Peadar Ó Riada at The Cork Opera House on the opening Night of the Cork Folk Festival.

Alice Fitzgerald (Amhránaí, Reacaire)

Is ’sna Déise atá cónaí ar Alice Fitzgerald, atá sáite sa cheol agus Comhaltas sa dúiche sin le fada. Alice, from Dungarvan, Co. Waterford, and originally from Co. Tipperary, comes from a musical family. She has been a prizewinner many times with KCK (Kilgobnet, Colligan and Kilbrien) Drama Group on the Festival Circuit. A member of Dungarvan Comhaltas, she has produced Seisiún in Lawlor's Hotel, Dungarvan for many years and is well-known in Comhaltas circles and Singers' Clubs around the country.

Paul Clesham (Consairtín, Pianó)

Ceoltóir atá an-chuid dúiseanna bainte amach aige is ea Paul Clesham. Paul, from Hollymount, Claremorris, Co. Mayo, plays fiddle, accordion, melodeon, concertina and piano. He has won six All-Ireland Fleadh Cheoil titles in melodeon, concertina, accompaniment and grúpaí ceoil, the Seán Ó Ríada and Mary V. Hart memorial prizes in UCC, a scholarship to the Wesleyan University, Connecticut, USA, and gold and silver medals for piano at the World Championships of Performing Arts, Los Angeles. Paul performs with Celtic Steps and Officially Tapped, has played in the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Greece, and Sweden, and with the grúpa ceoil and céilí band in his local Comhaltas branch in Mayo.

Tim Doyle (Píob Uileann)

Thosaigh an píobaire Tim Doyle ag seinnt ar an bfheadóg nuair a bhí sé fós ina ghasúr. Tim Doyle is an uilleann piper from Shankill, Co. Dublin. Growing up in musical family, he started playing the tin whistle at a young age and then progressed to the uilleann pipes; he also plays the fiddle and concertina. He has won prizes at Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann on both tin whistle and uilleann pipes, including first place in the 15-18 uilleann pipes dance tunes and slow airs in 2009. He was part of the Comhaltas group that toured Cuba in 2011, and has played in numerous venues/music festivals across Ireland and abroad.

Carla Hanafin (Rinceoir)

Is rinceoir as Condae Chiarraí í Clara Hanafin, a ghlacann páirt in an-chuid taispeántaisí in Éirinn agus i bhfad ó bhaile. Clara, from Tralee, has danced since she was four with Rinceoirí na Ríochta, performing in England, Scotland, Portugal and the USA, and competing at National, European and World levels. Taught by Jimmy Smith, Honor Flynn, Tríona Breen and Miriam O’ Sullivan is a member of Síamsa Tíre, the National Folk Theatre of Ireland, and has performed in various shows including San Am Fadó, Oileán and Clann Lir. She most recently danced as part of the opening act for the Rose Ball 2015 at the festival of Kerry.

Darragh Hurley (Rinceoir)

Is rinceoir  óg é Darragh Hurley, atá an-taithí aige ar bheith páirteach i gcomórtaisí agus taispeantaisí. Darragh, from Co. Kerry, is a student at Gaelcholáiste Chiarraí. He is a member of Siamsa Tíre, the National Folk Theatre of Ireland, and of Rinceoirí na Ríochta where he is taught by Triona Breen. He was in the top ten at the World Championships in 2011 where he received a world medal. In 2014 he travelled to Lorient, France and performed at the Festival Inter-Celtique.

George McAdam (Bainseó, Maindilín)

Is as teaghlach atá sáite sa cheol a thagann George McAdam, agus an-bhaint aige le ceol traidisiúnta i Muineachán agus Ulaidh. From Co. Monaghan, George plays banjo, mandolin and céilí drums. He has won many All Ireland titles at Fleadhanna, most recently in Senior Banjo and Mandolin competitions in Sligo in 2015. His two sisters, Claire and Ursula, are also accomplished musicians. He tutors céilí bands representing Monaghan at county, provincial and All-Ireland levels, taught banjo at the 2015 Willie Clancy Summer School, and teaches music in several centres in Monaghan, Armagh and Dublin. He plays drums with the Blackwater Céilí Band representing Ulster for the first time at the 2015 All-Ireland Fleadh in Sligo.

Jana McCarthy-Kent (Feadóg, Feadóg Mhór)

Déiseach í Jana, a sheinneann ceol clasaiceach agus traidisiúnta ar roinnt úirlisí. Jana is from Tramore in Co. Waterford and plays flute, tin whistle, uilleann pipes and saxophone in classical, traditional and jazz music. She has won several competitions including Feis Cheoil in classical flute and Fleadh Cheoil, flute airs and whistle; a duet performance prize in Meitheal 2015 to perform at the 2016 Fleadh Nua in Ennis; and classical and traditional competitions at Cork’s Feis Maitiú. Jana’s musical influences include Michael McGoldrick, Paddy Keenan, Brian Finnegan, Alan Doherty and Catherine McEvoy.

Vincent Murphy (Bosca Ceoil, Mileoideon)

D’fhoghlaim Vincent Murphy a chuid ceoil in a theaghlach féin, go mór-mhór ón a sheanathair. Vincent comes from Annagh near Gorey, a stronghold of Irish traditional music in north Wexford. From an early age his parents Vinny and Liz Murphy (neé Bass) encouraged him to start playing music. Vincent learnt his early music from his grandfather Johnny Bass, a well-known box/melodeon player, and he is also strongly influenced by his uncles, John Bass (box) and Pat Bass (banjo). He has done numerous recordings for Raidio na Gaeltachta and RTÉ1 Céilí House, playing in a traditional north Wexford box style. Vincent has won many awards at Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann, including U12 melodeon (2008), All-Ireland button accordion (2009 and 2011) and 15-18 in 2014.

Fíona Nic Conmara (Fidil)

As Seanchill, Baile átha Cliath í Fíona Nic Conmara, a seinneann ceol traidisiúnta agus clasaiceach, agus atá an-ghníomhach i Craobh Chualann CCÉ. A multi-instrumentalist in traditional and classical music, she plays tin whistle, flute and fiddle and has won awards including U-18 All-Ireland Whistle Slow Airs (2009), and other All-Ireland awards in Fiddle, Flute, Whistle, Trio, Senior Duet, Grúpaí eoil and Céilí Band competitions. Fíona has performed at national and international events in Wales, Bordeaux and Alicante, organised and hosted Céilí House in Coláiste Phádraig, Droim Conrach, and her local Seisiún summer group. Fíona teaches fiddle and grúpa ceoil to members of Craobh Chualann CCÉ branch and is head of music in her school.

Gráinne Nic Ghiobúin (Cruit)

As Condae Luimní í Gráinne Nic Ghiobúin, agus is ceoltoir í a chumann a ceol féinig anois is arís. Gráinne, from Banogue, Co. Limerick, is the current All-Ireland Senior Harp Champion and was the 15-18 All-Ireland Champion 2013. She is a very active member of Castleconnell-Ahane-Herbertstown CCÉ and is a member of Grúpa Ceoil Knockfennel, runners-up in Senior Grúpa Ceoil competition in Sligo 2015. She enjoys composing: Knockfennel played one of her slip-jigs as part of their performance at the All-Ireland and she played her own jig as part of her solo performance in Sligo. She has also won numerous county Scór na nÓg titles as part of music and ballad groups.

Séamus Ó Flatharta (Cruit, Bodhrán, Rinceoir)

Is as Connemara é Séamus Ó Flatharta, amhránaí, rinceoir agus ceoltóir ó chlann atá an-suim acu sa cheol. Séamus is from Ardmore in Connemara: he followed his older brothers into traditional music, taking up tin whistle, sean-nós singing and harp and winning All Ireland titles for Irish and English singing, whistle, harp, slow airs and team dancing. A member of West Coast Grupaí Ceoil – Trad in the West, Renvyle Seisiún, Roundstone Irish Nights, and Ceoltóirí an Iarthair – he attends Galway’s McBride School of Irish Dancing, competing at National and World levels. He has been involved in the production of two CDs, The Mermaid's Purse and Connemara Magic. Séamus is particularly influenced by his current teachers, Holly Geraghty (harp), Eileen O'Malley (whistle), Micheál Ó Cuaig (Sean nós) and Marie Walsh (group).

Sarah O’Gorman (Fidil)

Is fidléir Déiseach í Sarah O’Gorman, atá n-chuid dúiseanna bainte amach aici. Sarah, from Waterford, has won the Junior Fiddler of Dooney Competition (2013), first place in U18 All-Ireland Fiddle (2014), and 2nd place in the U18 Slow Airs Fiddle (2015). She toured Sweden and Scotland in 2012 with a group of Clare musicians, and in 2013 was one of a group winning the overall award in Meitheal Summer School, performing in the National Concert Hall, the Irish World Academy, and Derry’s Guild Hall. A support act for We Banjo 3 and Danú in 2014, Sarah teaches fiddle and helps to run the Sunday session in her local Comhaltas branch, performing with Cúl Cheoil for Comhaltas Summer shows in Dungarvan’s Park Hotel. Sarah is the Meitheal Summer School nominee for this tour.

Séamus Tierney (Feadóg Mhór, Feadóg)

As Chondae an Chabháin é Séamus Tierney, a sheinneann ceol traidisiúnta agus clasaiceach. Séamus, who is from Cavan, performs with the local CCÉ Seisiún shows and teaches the flute and tin whistle. Taught by Caitriona Cullivan, Karen Walsh and Pat Tierney, he has achieved second place in senior flute at the All-Ireland Fleadh in Sligo and has won 12-15 and 15-18 All-Ireland titles on both flute and tin whistle, along with many other medals at provincial and All-Ireland levels. He won the Junior Music Solo competition at the All-Ireland Réadóirí 2010 and received a Royal Irish Academy high achiever’s award for classical piano and the Peadar Cillín medal for the highest mark in Leaving Certificate Music 2013. 

Eddie Murphy (Bainisteoir)

Is as Luimneach an Bainisteoir, Eddie Murphy, fear atá an-ghíomhach i gComhaltas le dachad bliain anuas. Eddie, from Cappamore, Co. Limerick, is from a family involved in music and CCÉ for many years. Secretary of Murroe/Cappamore CCÉ, he and his wife Margaret have been working at Fleadhanna and various CCÉ events for over twenty years, and he is a key member of Scoil Éigse’s management team. Well known at Munster Provincial and All-Ireland Fleadhanna as Call Steward for Grupaí Cheoil and Ceilí Band competitions, he has managed the Macalla na hÉireann Tour of Ireland (2011), Echoes of Erin British and North American tours (2012), Comhaltas National Folk Orchestra of Ireland tour performing Michael Rooney’s Boroimhe Suite. He will also manage the Orchestra tour of Britain and Ireland with the Macalla Suite in 2016.

Mc Elligotts (Trá Lí) Teicneoir Fuaime
Arís i mbliana táimid buíoch as seirbhísí teicniúla ó chomhlacht McElligotts Trá Lí. Mc Elligotts of Tralee continue to provide sound technical services for the CCÉ Tour of Ireland.

 

Macalla na hÉireann 2015 is sponsored by Bus Éireann


  Comhaltas Tour of Ireland Concert 2015  Click here to Download...

  Macalla na hÉireann 2015                          Click here to Download....


 


 
















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