Féile Átha Dá Chab

Féile Átha Dá Chab 2010 welcomes Tommy Peoples on Fiddle

2009-10-28T20:03:00.002Z

Féile Átha Dá Chab, Ballydehob Traditional Music Song and Dance Festival, has had a great line up of fiddlers since the festival first took place in 2007, including Séamus Creagh (Lord have mercy on him), Jesse Smith and Tony Linnane. So we decided not to break with tradition and have arranged for Tommy Peoples, one of the most renowned fiddlers in Irish traditional circles today to bring his Donegal style of fiddling to Ballydehob for Féile Átha Dá Chab 2010.

A technical master and powerful musician, Tommy is originally from St. Johnston, Co. Donegal, where he learned fiddle, in the distinctive Donegal style, from an early age. He was a member of the famous Kilfenora Band for a while in the 1960s before arriving on the traditional scene in Dublin in the 1970s, where he played with artists such as Matt Molloy, Paddy Keenan and Liam O'Flynn.
Tommy replaced Paddy Glackin in the famous Bothy Band in late 1975, just as the band turned professional. He left the Bothy Band in 1976 after the release of their first album to be replaced by Kevin Burke.

A number of albums with varied other musicians followed in the late seventies, the best known and best regarded of which is probably the Molloy-Peoples-Brady album. His daughter Siobhán, also a fiddler, recorded with him on the Maiden Voyage album. Tommy also produced some solo albums, which have influenced the younger generation of fiddlers.

Tommy is great to come the whole way down to the wilds of West Cork from the wilds of Donegal for Féile Átha Dá Chab 2010. It will be a great opportunity for local and visiting students and fans of the fiddle to hear his distinctive playing.
You can take a fiddle workshop with Tommy on the morning of April 17, 2010 and hear him playing at the festival concert later that night in Ballydehob Community Hall. Bígí Linn!

Féile Átha Dá Chab 2010 delighted to welcome master accordion player, John Brosnan, to Ballydehob

2009-10-15T12:04:00.000+01:00

John Brosnan, button accordion and melodeon player extraordinaire, will be just one of the many fantastic traditional artists at Féile Átha Dá Chab 2010 in Ballydehob County Cork. Anyone who plays any bit of traditional music at all will be familiar with John’s name if not his playing, as there are a good few polkas that bear his name. For accordion players, John will also be well known as a master tuner and repairer of accordions. But, apart from all these things, it is John’s musicianship that really makes him stand out in traditional music circles.
John’s playing is admired all over the world and he features at many events wherever accordion music is to be heard. Widely acknowledged as a master accordionist, he has an in-depth knowledge and appreciation of many different accordion styles.

John is from near Listowel, County Kerry, and his late uncles, Timmy and Dan Brosnan, were well known accordion players in North Kerry and had a significant influence on John’s playing. Timmy was a dab hand at repairing all sorts of implements, including accordions. John’s fascination with the mechanics of the accordion probably stems from seeing them being repaired by Timmy, for both his brother Neilie and himself. Having absorbed considerable knowledge in this area from his uncle, John started to repair and tune accordions himself in the 1980s and still offers this service at his home in Kilcummin. Living near Killarney, John has been lucky enough to play with many of the legendary musicians of Sliabh Luachra, among them, the late Johnny O’ Leary, the legendary and inspirational accordion player.

In 1996, John Brosnan’s classic solo CD, ‘The Cook in the Kitchen’ showcased his great musicianship. John’s awareness of various melodeon and accordion styles is also very apparent on this recording; especially that of players such as P.J. Conlon, Joe Flanagan, Tom Carmody and Billy McElligott, who dominated accordion playing in the dance hall scene of New York in the 1920s and 1930s.

John frequently plays with many of Sliabh Luachra’s finest musicians in Killarney, including his long-time music partners, Timmy Kerins and Paudie Gleeson. Moreover, frequent performances on national radio and television have maintained his high musical profile.
At Féile Átha Dá Chab 2010, John will give an accordion workshop with a difference on the morning of April 17. In addition to the usual few tunes and tips picked up at workshops, students at John’s workshop will learn all about the inner workings of the accordion from John as he takes one apart for them and talks to them about tuning etc. Both teacher and students will then have a bit of a breather before the festival concert later that night, where John will showcase his classic brand of accordion playing for local and visiting audiences.
Sounds great doesn’t it? Well, then don’t miss it and draw a big circle around the weekend of April 16-18 in next year’s calendar, because that’s when all the fun is going to happen!

Line-up for Féile Átha Dá Chab, Ballydehob Traditional Music Song and Dance Festival 2010

2009-09-23T22:00:00.003+01:00

The fourth annual Féile Átha Dá Chab, Ballydehob Traditional Music Song and Dance Festival is slowly coming around the bend again, with plenty to offer lovers of the traditional arts. The 2010 festival will be held on April 16-18, that's two weeks after Easter. The line-up is all sorted already, with some truly great artists all set to take Ballydehob by storm next year.
They include Tommy Peoples, a prime exponent of the Donegal style of fiddling and one of the most renowned fiddle players in Irish traditional music today; master accordion player John Brosnan from County Kerry; the fantastic sean-nós and traditional singer Tim Dennehy from Ballinskelligs; Catherine McEvoy, one of the country's leading flute players; and Edwina Guckian, the widely acclaimed sean-nós dancer from County Leitrim. All of these will be giving workshops and performing at the festival concert. In addition, Féile Átha Dá Chab 2010 will have a singers' night and children's session, as well as an all-new session trail that should keep feet tapping well into next summer......
Keep an eye on this blog for profiles of all the above artists in the coming weeks as well as other festival news......
Slán tamaill

Photos from Féile Átha Dá Chab 2009

2009-04-20T21:42:00.028+01:00

Well, it's all over now for another year, but Féile Átha Dá Chab 2009 was definitely one to remember. Here are some great pictures taken by Declan Waugh over the weekend.

Mary Bergin's Tin Whistle Workshop

Conal Ó Gráda's Flute Workshop

Tony Linnane's Fiddle Workshop

A few tunes in the calm of Levis Bar with Nell

Róisín Ní Mhainín's Sean-nós Dance Workshop

The Large Crowd Attending the Dance Workshop

The Sonnay Fiddlers from Massachusetts Opened the Concert on Saturday Night.

BreannÍn and Breanndán Ó Beaglaoich Play a Few Tunes for Róisín Ní Mhainín to Dance to at the Concert

Gearróid Ó Duinnín, Tony Linnane, Conal Ó Gráda, Mary Bergin and Breannín and Breanndán Ó Beaglaoich Delight the Audience with a Few More Tunes at the End of the Night

Róisín Ní Mhainín Shows Off Some Sean-nós Dancing for centenarian Nell Levis after the Concert

Buíochas le....Féile Átha Dá Chab Thanks all Sponsors Great and Small

2009-03-16T20:09:00.007Z

Many thanks to all the sponsors of Féile Átha Dá Chab, Ballydehob Traditional Music, Song and Dance Festival, April 17-19, 2009. Please do your best to support the local businesses that sponsor the festival, if you get the chance.
In no particular order, sponsors of Féile Átha Dá Chab 2009 are
Microstreet
Whizzer Scissors
Levis Bar
Brown Envelope Seeds
An Carraig Ard B&B
Carbery Oil
Bantry branch of Comholtas Ceoltóirí Éireann
Judith and William Bollinger
Permanent TSB
The Arts Council
The Wok Inn
Irish Whip Bar
Rosie's Bar
Annie's Restaurant
Skibbereen Credit Union
Ballydehob Community Council
The Sandboat Bar
The Maritime Hotel
Catríona's Beauty Salon
The Wild Goose Studio
Foras na Geilge
IMRO
Cork County Council
Field's SuperValu
Food for Thought
Antonio's Ristorante
Coughlan's Bar
O'Brien's Bar
Camier's Service Station
Minihane's Electrical Shop

Free Guided Walks of Ballydehob During Féile Átha Dá Chab 2009

2009-03-16T19:59:00.004Z

Love the trad but not up for a workshop at Féile Átha Dá Chab, Ballydehob Traditional Music, Song and Dance Festival 2009? Well then while other people hone their musical skills at the workshops, why not tone those leg muscles and head off on a guided walk of Ballydehob and its environs with Paddy Corcoran during the weekend of the festival. Paddy will depart from outside the Irish Whip Bar in Ballydehob at 11 am on the mornings of Saturday 18th and Sunday 19th of April. Each of Paddy's walks will be approximately three hours in duration and take in sea views. These walks are FREE, as Paddy is simply happy to share the beauty of Ballydehob with other walkers. If you would like to go on one of these walks with Paddy, you can give him a ring on 087-7955423 or e-mail him at pcor@indigo.ie Or just simply show up outside the Irish Whip at 11am!!!!

Clár Imeachtaí/Events Programme for Féile Átha Dá Chab 2009

2009-03-08T20:48:00.004Z

Below, you will find the programme of events for the third Féile Átha Dá Chab, Ballydehob Traditional Music, Song and Dance Festival, which will take place in Ballydehob, County Cork on April 17-19, 2009.

Please note that except for the sean-nós dance workshop, the workshops are unsuitable for beginners.

As always, the sean-nós singing workshop will be through Irish.

This year, the flute workshop, button accordion workshop and tin whistle workshop will also be conducted through Irish, as the teachers are all fluent Irish speakers. Don't worry if you want to do one of these workshops and your Irish isn't great. Conal, Mary, and Breanndán are all really nice and will ensure that no-one feels left out.

There are limited places available in the singing and instrument classes, so book a place in advance if you don't want to be disappointed on the day.

Oh yeah, all students in the singing and instrument classes will get in for free to the concert! Sure, where would you get it????

Sin é, bígí linn agus beidh an-sport againn!

Date	Time	Venue	Event	Admission
Friday April 17	9.30pm	Rosie's Bar	Traditional Music Session with John Coakley and Friends	Free
Saturday April 18	10am-1pm	Scoil Bhríde	Flute workshop with Conal Ó Gráda, Tin Whistle workshop with Mary Bergin, Button Accordion Workshop with Breanndán Ó Beaglaoich, Fiddle Workshp with Tony Linnane.	€20
	10am-11.30am	Scoil Bhríde	Sean-nós singing workshop with Ann Mulqueen	€10
	12-1pm	Scoil Bhríde	Traditional singing workshop with Ann Mulqueen	€10
	2pm-4pm	Ballydehob Community Hall	Sean-nós dance workshop with Róisín Ní Mhainín	€10
	4pm	The Sandboat Bar	Traditional Music Session with Richard Lucey and Friends	Free
	5pm	O'Brien's Bar	Traditional Music Session for Children and younger musicians with Anne Redmond	Free
	8pm	Ballydehob Community Hall	Concert with Mary Bergin, Tony Linnane, John Coakley, Breanndán and Cormac O Beaglaioch, Conal Ó Gráda and Gearóid Ó Duinnín, Ann Mulqueen and Róisín Ní Mhainín.	€20
	10pm	The Irish Whip Bar	Traditional Music Session with Christy Leahy and Friends	Free
	10pm	O'Brien's Bar	Singers' Night with Ann Mulqueen	Free
	10pm	Coughlan's Bar	Music for set dancers with Maria Cotter and Pat Fleming	Free
Sunday April 19	3pm	Levis Bar	Traditional Music Session with Dave Hennessy and Friends	Free

Follow that Blog

2009-02-16T20:31:00.004Z

If you look at the sidebar to the right of this page, you will see a list of followers or visitors to this blog. Why not join them? Just click on the "Follow this blog" link and off you go.

Brendan Begley Brings West Kerry Music and Sport to Ballydehob for Féile Átha Dá Chab, Ballydehob Traditional Music, Song and Dance Festival 2009

2008-12-14T09:48:00.009Z

Photo by Con Kelleher

There was always going to be great music and craic at Féile Átha Dá Chab, Ballydehob Traditional Music, Song and Dance Festival on April 17-19, 2009 in Ballydehob, County Cork. But it may now exceed all expectations altogether, with the addition of Brendan Begley to the line-up of great artists at the festival.
A native of the Dingle peninsula in County Kerry, Brendan Begley is an internationally renowned and accomplished performer of Irish traditional music on the button accordion. He will be recognized by many from his presentations of traditional music on TG4, in particular from his stint as the amicable presenter of Geantraí.
Breanndán has toured all over Ireland as well as in Estonia, Finland, Sweden and France. He is a full-time member of the 'Boys of the Lough' since 1997, having first toured with the band as a guest in the 1980's in America.
Breanndán is a great favourite not only for his exciting dance music and the sense of fun he instils into his playing. He is also a master of slow airs with his sensitive emotional playing and an accomplished singer of songs in his native Irish. A giant of a man, he is also great fun and a massive entertainer!
And it doesn't end there....Breanndán Begley is also a wonderful teacher of the button accordion, with a fine repertoire, including some lovely West Kerry versions of tunes. He will be giving a button accordion workshop at Féile Átha Dá Chab on Saturday April 18, 2009, and performing later the same day at the festival concert. Definitely not to be missed!

As Iarthair Dhuibhneach ó dhúchas é Breandán Ó Beaglaíoch ar a bhfuil clú agus cáil go hidirnaisiúnta mar sheinnteoir traidisiúnta den bhosca ceoil. Tá sé mar bhall lán-aimseartha den mbanna ceoil ‘Boys of the Lough’ ón mbliain 1997. Chuaigh sé mar aoí ar chamchuairt leis an mbanna timpeall ar Mheiriceá sna hochtaidí. Tá an-tóir ar cheol rince Bhreandáin de bharr a stíl mheidhreach seinnte.

Legendary Fiddler Tony Linnane at Féile Átha Dá Chab 2009, kindly sponsored by Brown Envelope Seeds

2008-11-29T19:46:00.008Z

Visitors to Ballydehob, Co. Cork for Féile Átha Dá Chab on April 17-19, 2009, will be lucky enough to enjoy the music of legendary fiddle player, Tony Linnane. Tony will be giving the fiddle workshop at the festival and performing with Mary Bergin at the festival concert.

In the world of traditional Irish music, Tony Linnane is renowned as a fiddle player of outstanding ability. His distinctive playing has superb fluency and flow in its style and is characterised by impeccable technique and a wealth of feeling and sensitivity. He is recognised as one of the finest exponents of the instrument in Ireland today.

Tony was born into a musical family in Corofin in the North-West region of Co. Clare in the late 1950’s. His father Pat was a whistle player and a renowned collector of tunes. As a result Tony was exposed to music at a very early age. Beginning on the mouth-organ he advanced to the fiddle and was an accomplished player in early adolescence. By the time he graduated from school he was much sought after to play in the country’s leading folk/traditional clubs. Since then he’s become a veteran of all the major music festivals in Ireland and has performed frequently on R.T.E. radio and television.

Along with Noel Hill, Kieran Hanrahan, Tony Callinan and Barry Moore
Tony was a founder member of “Inchiquin” a short-lived group who had moderate success on the club circuits of Britain and Ireland. “Inchiquin” released one self-titled album that has long since become a collector’s item. Following the demise of that group Tony continued to play professionally with fellow Clare man and concertina player Noel Hill.
The duo released ‘Noel Hill & Tony Linnane’, recorded in 1979 on the Tara label and to this day it is still regarded as one of the finest traditional Irish music records of all time. It was re-released on CD in 1996. The duo were highly regarded for their seminal performances both as headliners and opening act to the likes of The Bothy Band, Planxty, The Chieftains, De Dannan and Clannad.
Tony's fiddle workshop at Féile Átha Dá Chab is kindly sponsored by
Brown Envelope Seeds

Ó Choradh Finne, Contae an Chláir, is seinnteoir fidile den scoth é Tony Linnane. Togha seinnteora agus múinteora ag féiltí móra na hÉireann, bíonn a chuid ceoil le cloisteáil go minic Raidió agus ar Theilifís Éireann.

Sean-nós Dancer Róisín Ní Mhainín Takes to the Floor at Féile Átha Dá Chab, April 17-19, 2009

2008-11-23T20:33:00.005Z

Dust off them shoes now and start building up your fitness for the sean-nós dance workshop at Féile Átha Dá Chab, Ballydehob Traditional Music, Song and Dance Festival 2009. Visitors to Ballydehob for the festival will be delighted to hear that Róisin Ní Mhainín will be giving the dance workshop in 2009.
A native of Conemara, Róisín is an award-winning sean-nós dancer and a brilliant teacher to boot. Dancing since she was four years old, she spent many years participating in Irish dancing competitions and it was from this that she became interested in the more sociable, rhythmic and traditional form of dance, known as sean-nós dancing. This type of dancing derives from Conemara and has become highly popular in recent years both in Ireland and abroad. Indeed, a lot of the current interest in sean-nós dancing, especially among young people, can be attributed to Róisin and her particular style of close to the floor, limited space, old style dancing, which has inspired a whole new generation of young Connemara sean-nós dancers.
Róisín travels nationally and internationally giving both workshops and performances. In recent years she has travelled to Brazil, on the Irish presidential tour, and also performed in Nigeria and Las Vegas of all places. So, she should be well able for Ballydehob!!! Her sean-nós dance workshop will be held on Saturday 18 April, 2009, in the hall in Ballydehob. Times will be announced nearer the time.

Mar a deir Róisín:
"Táim ag damhsa anois ar feadh na mblianta. Thosaigh mé ag damhsa nuair a bhí mé 4 bliain d’aois. Ghlac mé páirt in sna comórtais damhsa gaelach. Is mar gheall ar an spéis a chuir mé san damhsa gur thosaigh mé ag déanamh stíl thradisiúnta Chonamara, sé sin damhsa ar an sean-nós. Téim ar fud na tíre ag tabhairt ceardlainn sen-nóis ach bhí an t-ádh orm go bhfuair mé an deis roinnt taistil a dhéanamh ar fud na cruinne. Thug mé taispeáintais sa Nigéar, Brazil, Las Vegas agus ar fud na hEorpa. Tá roinnt taispeáintais teilifíse tugtha agam, ina measc ‘The Late Late show. Bhain mé an phríomh duais amach sa gcomórtas damhsa sean-nóis an Oireachtais i 2003. Caithaim formhór mo chuid ama, chomh maith le bheith i mo mhuinteoir meanscoile ag tabhairt ceardlainn sean-nóis go náisiúnta. Tá an-suim san stíl seo in Éirinn agus is léir go bhfuil bá ag na hEireannaigh lena gcultúr agus le tradisiún na tíre."

Ann Mulqueen at Féile Átha Dá Chab 2009

2008-11-11T20:22:00.006Z

Féile Átha Dá Chab, Ballydehob Traditional Music, Song and Dance Festival 2009 is proud to have a Limerick-born singer on the bill! Originally from Castleconnell, Co. Limerick, Ann Mulqueen is an internationally renowned and respected singer based in the Gaeltacht of An Rinn in Co. Waterford. It was in An Rinn that Ann learned to speak Irish and also learned the lovely songs of the area. She began her singing career in the 1960s and learned her first song from her grandmother who was a fine traditional singer. Ann travelled to many fleadhanna and took part in many competitions, achieving three All Ireland successes during that period. She subsequently travelled the world on concert tours with Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann and also gave radio and television performances in Ireland and abroad.
Ann has recorded three CDs for Cló lar Chonnachta and the most recent one, ‘Briseann an Dúchas’ features her two daughters, Odí and Sorcha, to whom she has passed on her singing tradition. Two tracks from Ann’s CD were selected for a documentary on the San Patricio Army produced by Day Productions in California and another featured in an Australian film entitled Irish Famine Emigrants.
These days Ann is kept busy teaching her craft in local schools and giving workshops and seminars around the country. She is also the Amhránaí Cónaithe (resident singer) in Gaeltacht na Rinne for 2008. Ann has a great repertoire of songs in both English and Irish and will be passing some of them on to students at a workshop at Féile Átha Dá Chab on April 18, 2009. You can also hear her sing at the festival concert the same night.

Lonaithe i nGaeltacht na Rinne, Port Láirge, tá clú agus cáill ar an t-amhránaí Ann Mulqueen go náisiúnta is go deimhin go hidirnaisiúnta. As Caisleán Uí Chonnail, Contae Luimní ó dhúchas, d’fhoghlaim sí a céad amhrán óna Mamó, ag a raibh bua na hamhránaíochta go smior. Ón uair gur thosaigh a gairm amhránaíochta sna seascaidí, tá trí ghradam uile Éireann buaite aici. Ina theannta sin thaisteal sí timpeall na cruinne i gcuideachta Chomhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann. B’í an t-Amhránaí Cónaithe sa Ghaeltacht thuasluaite sa bhliain 2008. Caitheann si a cuid ama anois ag taisteal timpeall na tíre i mbun ceardlanna agus léachtanna. Stiúrfaidh Ann a ceardlann amhránaíochta ar an sean-nós trí mheán na Gaeilge ag Féile Átha Dá Chab.

Mary Bergin, 'The Best Tin Whistle Player This Century", at Féile Átha Dá Chab 2009

2008-11-10T19:31:00.006Z

Internationally renowned tin whistle player, Mary Bergin will be in Ballydehob, Co. Cork for Féile Átha Dá Chab on April 17-19, 2009! Mary has been described by The Irish Times as ‘Just about the best Tin Whistle player this century’, and it will be an honour to have her in Ballydehob for the third Féile Átha Dá Chab traditional music, song and dance festival.
Born into a very musical family, Mary Bergin began playing music at an early age, winning many awards in Oireachtas and Fleadh Ceoil competitions, including the All-Ireland Championships at Junior and Senior level. No traditional music collection would be complete without Mary’s first solo album ‘Feadóga Stáin’. Released in 1979, it is a classic recording. She released her second solo album in 1992, which also has Biblical status in traditional music circles.
Mary has toured extensively in Europe, America and in Australia playing in concerts and festivals,
and giving workshops and seminars. She has also given master classes in many universities around the world. In 1990, Mary, together with musicians Kathleen Loughnane and Dearbhaill Standun, formed the group ‘Dordan’ whose particular and distinctive mix of traditional Irish and European baroque music has achieved wide acclaim, receiving the National entertainment Award for traditional music in 1993. In 2000, Mary herself won the prestigious TG4 ‘Traditional Musician of the Year Award’. She also tours regularly with her sister and brother-in-law Antoinette and Joe Mc Kenna who are renowned for their unique sound of harp and Uilleann pipes. Mary will be conducting a tin whistle workshop for intermediate to advanced players on April 18 and performing at the festival concert the same night. You have been warned well in advance, so chalk it into your calendar for next year and make sure you don't miss what is bound to be a real musical treat!

Bhí feith an cheoil i Mary Bergin óna breith agus í i gcroí lár clann fíor cheolmhar. Thosaigh sí féin ag seinnt agus í an-óg. Níorbh fhada go raibh raon duaiseanna agus gradaim buaite aici san Oireachtas, sa bhFhleá Ceoil agus i gComórtais Ceannais na hÉireann Sóisearach agus Sinsearach. B’í buaiteoir Ghradam Ceoil TG4 sa bhliain 2000. Tá Mary taréis a cuid ceoil a roinnt le luch féachanna san Eoraip, i Meiriceá agus san Astráil. Is iomaí ceardlann agus seimineár atá tugtha aici ar fud na cruinne freisin. Déanadh cur síos uirthi san Irish Times mar an seinnteoir feadóige stáin is fearr ó thús an chéid.

Conal Ó Gráda on flute at Féile Átha Dá Chab 2009

2008-11-02T19:13:00.005Z

The presence of Cork flute player, Conal Ó Gráda will be just one of the highlights of Féile Átha Dá Chab, Ballydehob Traditional Music, Song and Dance Festival on April 17-19, 2009. A multiple All Ireland winner in his youth, Conal Ó Gráda has long been at the forefront of traditional Irish flute-playing and truly has one of its most distinctive sounds. Recorded in 1990, his debut album, ‘The Top of Coom’ is still regarded as a seminal recording of flute-playing. Taking the basic elements of traditional music, Conal forges them into an unforgettable personal style. His fast, rhythmically precise flute-playing has an earthy raucous tone reminiscent of the saxophone and is driven by a spirit from the true heart of traditional music. Conal has played, toured and recorded with many of the leading exponents of traditional Irish music and recently released his long overdue second recording ’Cnoc Buí’. Conal will be giving a flute workshop for intermediate to advanced players at Féile Átha Dá Chab 2009. He will also be playing at the festival concert.

Buaiteoir raon gradaim agus duaiseanna uile Éireann le linn a óige, tá Conal Ó Gráda mar cheannródaí le fada i seinnt na feadóige móire. Níl aon amhras ach go bhfuil stíl seinnte ar leith aige. Tá an-cháil ar a chéad cheirnín ‘Top of the Coom’ ar a déanadh taifeadadh sa bhliain 1990 mar eiseamlár de fhíor fhuaim agus binneas na feadóige móire. Tá Conal taréis taisteal agus seinnt le mór chuid de cheoltóirí cáiliúla na hÉireann. Ar deireadh thiar, tá fáil ar a dhara cheirnín ‘Cnoc Buí’.

Séamie O'Dowd at Féile Átha Dá Chab 2009

2008-10-29T10:27:00.005Z

The brilliant Sligo fiddler, Séamie O'Dowd is coming to Ballydehob to give a fiddle workshop and perform at the concert at Féile Átha Dá Chab, Ballydehob Traditional Music, Song and Dance Festival, Apil 17-19, 2009. Seamie was brought up by parents steeped in the musical traditions of South County Sligo. His mother Sheila, a highly respected musician and teacher herself, came from a family of fiddlers, her father and brothers all playing the instrument. His father Joe was also renowned as a fiddle player among musicians and music lovers worldwide. Seamie himself began playing fiddle at about eight years of age and had his first radio broadcast under his belt by the time he was ten years old. He went on to establish himself in competition and elsewhere as one of the finest fiddlers of his age in the west of Ireland. Séamie is also an experienced and highly regarded teacher, having taught fiddle at The South Sligo Summer School in Tubbercurry for six years. He has also built a solid reputation as one of Ireland's most popular guitarists through his work with Dervish, Mairtin O'Connor, Cathal Hayden, Liam O'Flynn, Matt Molloy, Mary Mac Partlan and others. He is also involved in an Irish/American music exploration project under the name "The Unwanted" with Dervish singer Cathy Jordan and Sligo based American harmonica virtuoso Rick Epping. Rick and Seamie have also worked with bodhran (Irish drum) pioneer, Johnnie "Ringo" Mc Donagh on the reformation of his renowned traditional group "Arcady".

Féile Átha Dá Chab 2009

2008-09-23T20:20:00.004+01:00

Féile Átha Dá Chab 2009 will be held in Ballydehob, Co. Cork, Ireland, on April 17-19, 2009. It will be the third year of this little festival with a big heart and hopefully it will be even better than the first two years. Féile Átha Dá Chab brings some of Ireland's best traditional artists to the village of Ballydehob to give workshops and play for local and visiting audiences. Visitors can expect great impromptu pub sessions, a concert, a children's session, and workshops in music song and dance. The line-up of artists for for Féile Átha Dá Chab 2009 is as follows: Mary Bergin (tin whistle), Brendan Begley (button accordion), Conal O Grada (flute), Tony Linnane (fiddle), Róisín Ní Mhainín (sean-nós dancing), and Ann Mulqueen (sean-nós and traditional singing). Profiles of these performers and other festival information will be posted on the blog in the coming months, so keep an eye on it if you want to be in the know.
Slán Tamaill!

Photos from Féile Átha Dá Chab 2008

2008-04-23T14:38:00.018+01:00

Thanks to everyone who helped to make the second Féile Átha Dá Chab such a fantastic weekend. Here are a few photos taken during the festival. Bain taitneamh as agus feicimid sibh arís an bhliain seo chugainn!

Harry Bradley, Jesse Smith, and John Sweeney from Santa Cruz, California take a break between tunes in the Irish Whip Bar

A group of visitors from Rodez in France relax in Levis Bar.

Katie Salvage from Old Court and Maud enjoy a few tunes

Richard Lucey and Friends in the Sandboat

John Coakley from Snave, Bantry, and Bobby Gardiner perform at the concert

Ronan Regan steps it out to the music of Edel Fox and Ronan O'Flaherty

Nell Levis (seated on the right) holds court to yet another great session

Ronan Regan's Brilliant Sean-Nós Dance Workshop

Click Here to see some beautiful black and white photos taken by a German visitor during Féile Átha Dá Chab 2008

For a nice selection of shots taken by Peter O'Donnell of ireland360.com on the Friday night and Saturday morning of this year's festival, Click Here

Set dancers at Féile Átha Dá Chab in for a treat with Jig Time Céilí Band

2008-03-25T18:36:00.005Z

Féile Átha Dá Chab, Ballydehob Traditional Music, Song and Dance Festival is proud to present Andy O'Connell and Jig Time Céilí Band at the afternoon céilí on Sunday April 20, 2008. A very popular group in West Cork, Jig Time is made up of Andy from Cill na Mártra on fiddle, John Coakley from near Bantry on keyboard and guitar, and Matthew Kelleher from near Macroom on the box. Playing together now for around three years, this threesome are a mighty act altogether. Many dancers will already know Andy and John from the Abbey Céilí Band. Jig Time have also appeared at the Shindig festival in Tralee the last two years in a row, playing for the hard core dancers in late céilís that only take off in the early hours of the morning!
So rest assured, ye will be in good hands at this year's Féile Átha Dá Chab céilí. Definitely one not to be missed.
Sunday April 19, 2008. 3pm, Ballydehob Community Hall.

Programme for Féile Átha Dá Chab, Ballydehob Traditional Music, Song and Dance Festival 2008

2008-03-18T18:34:00.004Z

Date	Venue	Event	Time	Admission
Friday April 18, 2008
	Rosie's Bar, Ballydehob	Traditional Music Session with Edel Fox and Ronan O'Flaherty	9.30pm	Free
	Irish Whip Bar	Traditional Music Session with Harry Bradley and Jessie Smith	9.30pm	Free
Saturday April 19, 2008
	St. Brigid's Primary School, Ballydehob	Button accordion workshop with Bobby Gardiner, Flute workshop with Harry Bradley, Concertina workshop with Edel Fox, Sean-nós singing with Eilís Ni Shúilleabháin, Fiddle Workshop with Jesse Smith	10am-1pm 2pm-4pm	€20 Advance booking essential.
	Ballydehob Community Hall	Sean-nós dance workshop with Ronan Regan	10 am-12 1pm-3pm	€10
	The Sandboat Bar, Ballydehob	Traditional Music Session	4pm	Free
	O'Brien's Bar, Ballydehob	Traditional Music Session for children and younger musicians	6pm	Free
	Ballydehob Community Hall	Concert with Bobby Gardiner, John Coakley, Edel Fox, Ronan O'Flaherty, Harry Bradley, Jesse Smith, Ronan Regan, Eilís Ní Shúilleabháin, Maeve Mc Sweeney, and Maria Cotter	8pm	€20

	Coughlan's Bar, Ballydehob	Music for set dancers	9.30pm	Free
	O'Brien's Bar, Ballydehob	Singing night hosted by Eilís Ní Shúilleabháin	10pm	Free
Sunday April 20, 2008	Ballydehob Community Hall	Céilí with Jig Time Céilí Band	3pm	€8
	The Irish Whip Bar, Ballydehob	Farewell Session with Bobby Gardiner, Edel Fox, Harry Bradley, and Jesse Smith	4pm	Free

Sponsors of Féile Átha Dá Chab 2008

2008-03-18T18:23:00.007Z

Féile Átha Dá Chab is a completely voluntary-run, nonprofit festival and could not take place without the support of many sponsors, local and national, large and small. Please do your best to support them.......
They are Foras na Gaeilge; IMRO; Cork County Council; Microstreet Graphic Design Solutions; An Carraig Ard B&B, Ballydehob; Skibbereen Credit Unon; Duggan's Restaurant, Ballydehob; Wok Inn, Ballydehob; Camier's Service Station, Ballydehob; Whizzer Scissors, Ballydehob; Fluid Edge Web Design; Bank of Ireland, Skibbereen; Bantry Comhaltas; Levis Bar, Ballydehob; Ballydehob Community Council, Wild Goose Studio, Kinsale; Catríona's Beauty Salon, Ballydehob; Rosies Bar, Ballydehob; Irish Whip Bar, Ballydehob; Coughlan's Bar, Ballydehob; O'Brien's Bar, Ballydehob; The Sandboat Bar, Ballydehob; Skeaghanore Fresh Farm Duck; Field's Supervalu, Skibbereen; and PJ McCarthy Insurances, Skibbereen.

Jesse Smith on Fiddle at Féile Átha Dá Chab 2008

2008-01-13T20:22:00.002Z

Originally from Baltimore, Maryland, in the U.S., but now living in Co. Leitrim, Ireland, Jesse Smith will be well known to many from his time spent playing with the group Danú. A son of Donna Long from Cherish the Ladies, Jesse learned the fiddle from the maestro, Brendan Mulvihill. A visitor to Ireland from a very young age, he has an incredible knowledge of the country's music and tradition. At the moment, Jesse is transcribing the complete fiddle works of the legendary Sligo fiddle player, Michael Coleman. Jesse has many recordings to his name, having made his first solo album at the age of 17 and later recorded with Harry Bradley and John Blake and of course Danú. As well as being a fantastic man on the fiddle himself, Jesse is also a very renowned teacher for someone of his age, having taught at many other festivals, including the Sligo Live and Temple Bar Traditional Music Festivals. So, it will be great to have him down in this part of the country to pass on some advice and tunes to students in Ballydehob for Féile Átha Dá Chab 2008 and showcase his talents at the festival concert.

Ó Baltimore, Maryland sna Stáit Aontaithe ó dhúchas, tá Jesse Smith ag maireachaint i gContae Liatroma anois. Is seinnteoir fidile den scoth é agus múinteoir le an-chuid taithí. Tá eolas thar na bearta aige ar cheol agus ar thraidisiún na hÉireann. Is iarr-bhall den ghrúpa Danú é agus tá taifeadadh déanta aige le Harry Bradley agus John Blake chomh maith. Faoi láthair, tá sé i mbun na hoibreachtaí fidile uile den seinnteoir fidile cailiúil ó Shligeach, Michael Coleman a bhreacadh ar phár.

Ronan Regan to Bring his Infectious Love of Dance to Féile Átha Dá Chab 2008

2007-11-15T17:58:00.002Z

I think anyone who attended the dance workshop at Féile Átha Dá Chab 2007 would agree that whoever took on the job of dance instructor in 2008 would have a hard act to follow, after Edwina Guckian's stellar workshop in Ballydehob for the first year of the festival. However, we have just the man for the job in Ronan Regan from Salthill in Galway.
Described by many as a natural teacher with an infectious love of dance, Ronan has performed extensively at events such as Cóilín Sheáin Dharach Festival and the Inis Bofin Arts Festival and in venues such as the National Concert Hall in Dublin and the Cutler Emerson Majestic Theatre in Boston, Massachusetts. An experienced teacher of sean-nós, Ronan released an internationally acclaimed instructional DVD called ‘Dance Sean-Nós’ with Maldon Meehan in 2005. In 2006, he won the RTE/Arts Council “Dance on the Box” Award and choreographed the short film “Why the Irish Dance That Way”, which has appeared in numerous film festivals both at home and abroad.

Deirtear go bhfuil feith nádúrtha na múinteoireachta ann, le grá tógálach don rince. Togha rinceora ag féiltí éagsúla, Féile Cóilín Sheáin Dharach agus Féile Ealaíne Inis Bóifine ina measc, is in áiteanna cosúil leis an gCeoláras Náisiúnta i mBaile Átha Cliath agus an Amharclann ‘Cutler Emerson Majestic’ i mBoston, Massachusetts. Is múinteoir rince ar an sean-nós é le an-chuid taithí. Sa bhliain 2005, i dteannta Maldon Meehan é d’eisigh sé dlúthdhiosca múinteoireachta ‘Dance Sean-Nós’ ar a bhfuil clú agus cáil go hidir náisiúnta.

Accommodation at Féile Átha Dá Chab 2009

2007-10-26T21:53:00.009+01:00

There are a few accommodation options for visitors to Ballydehob, County Cork, Ireland, for Féile Átha Dá Chab, Ballydehob Traditional Music, Song and Dance Festival on April 17-19, 2009. These include bed and breakfasts, self-catering holiday homes, and hotels. Ballydehob is also only around 4 miles from Schull, 9 miles from Skibbereen, and 11 miles from Bantry, so staying in any of those places is also an option.
Here is some information to get you started on finding someplace to stay. A quick search of the Internet should also throw up a few more, should the following suggestions be full. Remember to drop the 0 if ringing from outside Ireland. The international code for Ireland is +353

Accommodation in the village of Ballydehob

Lynwood B&B, Schull Road, Ballydehob. (in the village) Phone 028 37124

The Old Crossing B&B, Phone 028 37148

Rose Hill B&B, phone 028 37188

Accommodation near Ballydehob

An Carraig Ard B&B, Ardura Mór, Ballydehob. (around one and a half miles from the village with sea views) Phone 028 37000

Coolbawn Lodge Farmhouse B&B, Caheragh, Skibbereen. (around 6 miles from village of Ballydehob). Phone 028 38166

Bayview B&B, Aughadown, Skibbereen. Around 5 miles from Ballydehob with sea views.
Phone 028 38276

Coolbawn Lodge Self-Catering Holiday Home, Caheragh, Skibbereen. Phone 028 38166

Sweetnam's Holiday Home, Corravoley, Ballydehob (3 miles from Ballydehob with sea views) Phone 028 38269

Caverly's Cottage, Kilcoe, Aughadown, Skibbereen. (around 4 and a half miles from Ballydehob) Phone 028 38176. Two cottages right on the shoreline. One unit sleeps 5, the other 4.

Holiday home between Schull and Ballydehob (around 3 miles from Ballydehob). Ring Kathleen on 086 1233646

Accommodation in Bantry

The Maritime Hotel in Bantry (11 miles from Ballydehob) is offering a special rate of €55 pps (full Irish breakfast included) for visitors to Féile Átha Dá Chab 2009. To avail of this rate, please phone the hotel directly on 027 54700 and quote Ballydehob festival.

You can also get accommodation information from Skibbereen Tourist Office by ringing 028 21766
Hope this information will be of use and look forward to seeing ye in Ballydehob for Féile Átha Dá Chab!

Our Darling Girl From Clare.....Edel Fox on Concertina at Féile Átha Dá Chab 2008

2007-10-26T21:29:00.003+01:00

After several enquiries last year as to why we had no concertina workshop, we have gone all out and secured Edel Fox, one of Ireland's best-known and admired concertina players, to give a workshop at Féile Átha Dá Chab, Ballydehob Traditional Music, Song and Dance Festival 2008. Most people will probably be familiar with Edel as the winner of the TG4 Young Musician of the Year Award in 2004. Hailing from Miltown Malbay, County Clare, she is now one of the most accomplished Irish musicians of her generation. A prized pupil of Noel Hill, Edel made her radio debut on Clare FM's 'Mist - Covered Mountain' at the tender age of seven. She plays music evocative of her native West Clare, with a joy and abandon that lifts the spirit. Despite her young age, her musical resume boasts a list of accolades. In addition to her TG4 Young Musician of the Year award, she is a regular performer on Irish radio and the BBC and has performed in festivals and concert halls from North America to as far away as Asia. As well as being an engaging performer, Edel is also an insightful and patient teacher, specializing in the repertoire of her native soil. She teaches concertina at the prestigious Willie Clancy Summer School in her home town of Miltown Malbay and also teaches annually at festivals in the U.S., including the Irish Arts Week Festival in East Durham, NY. In 2006, Edel and fiddle player, Ronan O'Flaherty, released a great album together, simply called Edel Fox & Ronan O'Flaherty. Edel Fox is currently a student of music at the University of Limerick.
It will be brilliant for people learning the concertina in Ballydehob and further afield in West Cork to have the chance to attend a workshop with Edel at Féile Átha Da Chab 2008. Places are limited to ten in this workshop, so to avoid disappointment, put your name down for it as soon as you can. It is only October 2007 now and one place is already booked! Edel will also perform at the concert during the festival. Bígí Linn!

Buaiteoir na duaise, TG4 Ceoltóir Óg na Bliana, i 2004, is seinnteoir óg consairtín í Edel Fox a bhfuil raon duaiseanna agus gradaim buaite aici. Ó Shráid na Cathrach, Contae an Chláir ó dhúchas, is í duine dos na ceoltóirí traidisiúnta níos oilte dena glúin. Chomh maith le bheith ina seinnteoir tarraingteach, is múinteoir í a thaispeáineann léargas agus foighne ina cuid múinteoireachta. Múineann sí ag an Scoil Samhraidh mór le rá ‘Willie Clancy’ agus ag féiltí sna Stáit Aontaithe, Féile Seachtaine Ealaíne Ghaelach in East Durham, Nua Eabhrach ina measc.

Legendary Box Player Bobby Gardiner at Féile Átha Dá Chab 2008

2007-10-11T18:46:00.002+01:00

It will be a great honour for Féile Átha Dá Chab, Ballydehob Traditional Music, Song and Dance Festival 2008 to welcome button accordion and melodeon player, Bobby Gardiner, to Ballydehob for the second year of the festival. This will be a fabulous chance for budding players of these two instruments to listen to and learn from Bobby's playing, both in his workshop and at his performance at the concert over the weekend.

A native of the beautiful Burren area of Aughdarra, Lisdoonvarna, Co. Clare, Bobby began his musical career at the age of eight, on an old German concertina, which was the instrument also played by his mother. Stuck pallets would sometimes result in emergency surgery when a goose's quill would substitute for a broken spring or a sticking plaster would repair an air leak. This experience led him to try the two-row button accordion. Most musicians then were self-taught and learned tunes from family, local musicians or by ear from the old 78 gramophone records of Michael Coleman, melodeon player P.J. Conlon and many others. Bobby's brother Mick and uncle Mick also played the meolodeon and accordion and his uncle Tom had a store of fiddle tunes.
After competing successfully in the under 15s at the Fleadh Ceoil in Dungarvan, he was asked to join the Kilfenora Céilí Band. He subsequently joined Malachy Sweeney's Céilí Band from Armagh and traveled the length and breadth of Ireland as a professional musician for five pounds a week!

In 1960, Bobby Gardiner emigrated to the U.S. and it was there that he made "Memories of Clare", his first L.P. of accordion music with Copley Records. This album has remained the best-loved of Bobby's many recordings ever since. In recent times, Bobby recorded a melodeon and lilting CD called "The Clare Shout".
Bobby was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1963 and stationed at Fort Dix in New Jersey. On his weekends off, he would visit the Catskill Mountains in New York, which were a Mecca for traditional Irish music in those days. It was here in the Catskills that he met musicians such as Joe Cooley, Andy McGann and many other great players.
In 1970, Bobby returned to Ireland and within a few years was teaching the accordion in Tipperary, Waterford and Limerick. He has now been tutoring at University College Cork for 25 years. Bobby has also traveled extensively with Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann on their numerous trips abroad and is a resident musician every summer with the Bru Boru group from Cashel, Co. Tipperary. He is currently focusing on his own playing.

Ó Lios Dúin Bhearna, Chontae an Chláir ó dhúchas, tá dea-chlú sa cheol gaelach bainte amach ag Bobby Gardiner le linn a ghairm fada. Sheinn sé an consairtín mar pháiste ach níorbh fhada gur bhog sé ar aghaidh go dtí an mileoidean agus níos déanaí arís go dtí an bosca ceoil dá-rangach. Tá réimse leathan de thaifeadadh déanta ag Bobby, ina measc tá ‘Memories of Clare’, a chéad ceirnín ar a bhfuil an-cháil, agus ceirnín a taifeadadh le déanaí, ‘The Clare Shout’, le ceol mileoidin agus portaireacht air. Le han-éileamh air mar mhúinteoir, tá Bobby Gardiner anois ina chónaí i gContae Thiobraid Árainn agus é ag múineadh i gColáiste na hOllscoile Corcaigh le 25 bliain anuas.