NYAH Co Cavan Traditional Music Festival
Now in its Fifth year, the ever-evolving Nyah has doggedly dragged Cavan from the traditional music backwoods into the limelight, rivalling the Clares, Kerrys and Sligos on the buzzing national calendar of trad events.
The Nyah County Cavan Arts Festival 2008, or to give the Nyah its full titles Chontae an Chabhán Féile Ealaíon “as Béarla agus as Gaeilge” — is once more bursting at the brim with a breathtaking programme of activities, including concerts, seisiúns, youth performances, lectures, workshops, award presentations.
That’s right — the list is so long that we can only touch the tip of the iceberg here! But the entire schedule of events, including contacts, ticket bookings etc all can be perused in detail by logging onto www.cavanmusic.com
The Nyah Festival will feature no end of extra trad sessions and “fringe events”. Acts and events will include Cran ,Tony McMahon ,Andy Irvine ,Finbar Dwyer, Sean O Se, Traditional Singers’ Session, lectures, music and song workshops. The Nyah Sessions have previously attracted the top names in Irish music in the country. And the best musicians from the tradition will be spinning down Breffni roads again to play at several of the sessions during the year .Musicians will hail from all over the World including Mick Mulcahy, Accordion, Martin Gaffney (flute),Paul Jermyn, (Singer /Guitar),John Daly , (Fiddler), Jacqui Martin (fiddle), Martin Quinn,(Accordion) ,Antoin Mac Gabhann ,(Fiddle), Mattie-Jó Shéamuis Ó Flatharta (singer)…it goes on for quite a while— and it’s all in a wonderfully central location for trad enthusiasts in this region.New this year is a
Nyah on Tour musical exchange between the Nyah Festival and the Haworth arts & music Group, England.
Cavan Visual Artists’ Network, drawing its inspiration from the strong Music Tradition of Co. Cavan in this exhibition “Na Dathanna” will start its showing at the Ramour Theatre, Virginia, for the NYAH weekend of 7th to 9th March 2008 and moving to “The Backyard“ Cavan Town for two weeks from 15th to 30th March.
What Is NYAH?
The word ‘NYAH’ derives from that specific word we use to describe what makes traditional music so unique - lift, soul, feeling — no other word quite captures the essence of great traditional playing, dancing or singing.
The Nyah committee consists of people from the Music, Song and Dance Tradition, Cavan Town Comhaltas,Cavan County Council Arts Office , Arts Council Ireland ,Cavan Tourism and Northern Sound Radio committed to promoting all the art forms of the area, Marian Crowe ,Terry Crowe, Seamus Fay ,Philip Clarke, Mickey Mc Donnell, Trevor Bury, Fintan McManus ,John Daly & Martin Donohoe.
Wednesday 5th March
10.00pm -Farnham Arms Hotel, featuring a musical tribute night to Barney Jenkins. Special guest Pat & Fintan McManus.
Thursday 6th March
Cavan Visual Artists’ Network, drawing its inspiration from the strong Music Tradition of Co. Cavan in a new exhibition “Na Dathanna” will start its showing at the Ramour Theatre, Virginia, for the NYAH weekend of 7th to 9th March 2008. Artists are Breffni Clarke, Zara Dolan, Avril Gould, Miriam McDwyer, Emma MsSherry, Rose Murray and Carmel O’Callaghan. Breffni renders unique portraits in Charcoal, while Zara is a strong figurative artist in oils and acrylics. Avril works mostly in striking oil colours. Miriam McDwyer Graphic artist works in acrylic and photography, Emma uses photography and Rose works in oils and acrylics. Carmel creates bold abstracts in mixed media.
All invited to the official opening in the Ramor Theatre on Thursday 6th March at 8pm
10.30pm Boylan’s Bar Kilnaleck special guests Pauline and Patsy Hanly, with John Carlos, Roscommon
Friday 7th March
8.00pm - Cathal Hayden Concert in Crowe’s Corner, Upstairs Folk Club, Ballyjamesduff with Seamie O’Dowd,Johnny “Ringo” McDonagh, Pat McManus, Goitse trad group,Presenter Seán O’Sé, adm €15
10.00pm - Seisiún in the front bar, Riverfront Hotel, Virginia, with Eileen O’Brien (fiddle), Philip Clarke (piano),John Daly (fiddle) 11.00pm - Zoë Conway Concert in Riverfront Hotel, Virginia with fiddle supremo Zoë Conway, guitar John McIntyre, Kavan Donohoe and Cavan’s own World Fleadh winning all-girl band Sin É.
Ryan Murphy’s Ealu Band,Kelly Family.MC Garry Shannon.
tickets adm €10
Saturday 8th March
10am - The Saturday Connection on Shannonside/Northern Sound features Charlie McGettigan presenting an eclectic mix of music and what’s on. This particular show will feature live songs and music from Nyah festival guests, including UK folk singer Tim Moon.
Music & Song “Speed Masterclass” Workshops take place throughout the day with top flute, fiddle, accordion, banjo, whistle, concertina, pipes, bodhran singing and lilting artists
in partnership with Comhaltas / Arts Council and Cavan Arts Office
There are master class workshops available for musicians of all levels in one to one or Group setting on Saturday 8th March .
At various venue’s through out Virginia Town
Time 11.30am- 1.30pm 2.30pm to 4.30pm
Choice of Individual or Group lesson.
Fee €15 per Child/Adult Two hour group Class.
Group Class Numbers Limited to eight pupils
Fee €25 One to One Hour lesson.
ALL PUPILS MUST PRE-BOOK
Registration for all classes at 0862342270 Martin Donohoe
First Come First Served
Fiddle-Eileen O Brien – Gerry O Connor -
Aine Mc Geeney- Clodagh Buckley-
Fiddle Donegal Style -Dermot McLaughlin -Katie Boyle
Fiddle Slow Air Playing -John Daly
Whistle -Aishling Mc Philips – Marguerite Colllins
Flute - Desi Wilkinson - Christina Dolphin –Louise Mulcahy
Uilleen Pipes- Ronan Browne –Ryan Murphy -
Button accordion -Martin Quinn-Donal O Reilly
Banjo- Kieran Hanrahan -Angelina Carberry - Channelle Moynagh
Drums Dermot Sheedy
Piano Accordion- Dean Warner –Tadhg O Meachair.
Lilting Seamus Fay
Keyboard /Piano -Accompaniment & Melody-Padraic O’Reilly –Philip Clarke-
Learning session tunes & Playing in Sessions
IRISH REPERTOIRE WORKSHOP For all players who have a good command of their instrument. Written music not used; learn by ear and bring a tape recorder -Gary Lynch – Antoin Mac Gabhann –Martin Gaffney.
Harp – Michelle Mulcahy –(Nadia Markey Sunday Class only)
Concertina -Barry Mc Gee - Cillian King
Traditional Singing Group class with Sean Corcoran -Gabriel Mc Ardle -Brian Mullen –Joyce & Aidan O Hara,Diane Henshaw,Marian Crowe.
Learn the best way to accompany Irish music as well as play melodies yourself.- Mickey Mc Donnell –Martin Tully –Fintan Mc Manus
Sean nós Singing- Mattie Joe Shéamais
English folk Songs- Tim Moon
Bodhran Recital -Johnny Ringo Mc Donagh
Bodhran Beginners -Trevor Bury
Students are encouraged to bring along an audio recorder, pen and paper.The Cavan Town CCE branch also offers FREE Irish music classes for children and adults who wish to get started in the Traditional music sessions .
Please contact Branch Chairman Martin Donohoe for more information on free music classes. email martindonohoe@iolfree.ie
8.30pm Ramor Theatre, Virginia - “Jig of Life” Nyah Awards, Concert. Sean O’Se, Cork, Gerry “Fiddle” O’Connor, Louth, Josephine Keegan, Armagh, Seamus Mac Mathuna, Clare and Dublin, Danny Meehan, Donegal, Charlie McGettigan, Donegal and Leitrim, and John Kennedy, Antrim. Tony McMahon, Finbar Dwyer, Robbie Hannan, Dermot McLaughlin, Padraic O’Reilly, Mick, Louise and Michelle Mulcahy, Eileen O’Brien, Pat and Fintan McManus, Martin Gaffney and Antoin Mac Gabhann, top band Cran and more. MCs are Kieran Hanrahan of RTE Radio and Martin Donohoe of Shannonside/Northern Sound.Tickets €20, booking at Ramor Theatre,Virginia, 0498547074,
Awards to Jig of Life Winners created by Captured in Time.
Captured in Time creates unique handcrafted impressions of hand’s and foot. The impression is taken in a specialized moulding material to create a high quality template. The template is taken back to the studio, poured and allowed to cure. It is then sealed and painted to create a quality finish and presented in the custom made frames for you and your family to enjoy for years to come. The impression takes less than five minutes to create, the process back at the studio takes between three and four weeks.
Venues in your locality can be checked on our website www.capturedintime.ie
Riverfront Hotel’s front lounge .Adm free
10.00pm - English folk singer Tim Moon,. Adm free
Sat 8th March
Riverfront Hotel Virginia Midnight Hour Festival Club
Midnight tunes and songs
Hosted by Mattie Joe Shéamais Radio Na Gaeltachta.
Cran Band Desi Wilkinson Sean Corcoran Ronan Browne
Tony McMahon,Angelina Carberry, Gabriel McArdle
Martin Quinn, Tiarnán Ó Duinnchinn ,Brian Mullen.
adm €12
Sunday 9th March
Crowes Corner Ballyjamesduff upstairs folk room
2pm-4.30pm adm €10
Finbar Dwyer –Martin Donohoe-Dean Warner.
Legendary accordion player and composer Finbar Dwyer who has recently returned to public performance after a break of 18years.
Crowes Corner Ballyjamesduff upstairs folk room
5pm -6pm free adm
The CD and book launch of The High Hills of Largy:
The project is a celebration of the late Sean Nugent Fermanagh.
A man whose life was immersed in Irish Traditional music.
Gerry O’Connor fiddle, Áine Nugent fiddle, Catherine and Brendan Nugent vocals ,Antoin Mac Gabhannn,Fiddle.
CDs & books will be on sale during the event.
8pm
Widows Bar Belturbet folk club
Irish Uilleann Pipes, Squeeze your Bag.
Brian McNamera pipes , Tim Collin’s. concertina
Oisin Mac Diarmada Fiddle. Sean McElwain, guitar/banjo.
Padraig Mc Govern Pipes & John Mc Cartin, Guitar
MC Mattie Joe Shéamais.
Musical tribute night to PJ Flood adm €15
10.30pm Widows bar Session
Donal O Reilly ,Martin Smith,Aishling Mc Phillips and Friends
Tickets for all at venues if not sold out
or ring Martin Donohoe to pre book 0862342270
FRIDAY 14TH MARCH
11.00pm - WilloS’ Concert, Widow’s Bar, Belturbet, WilloS’, formerly known as Will o’ the Wisp are a five-piece band from Italy led by Belfast fiddler Stephanie Martin and featuring flute, tin-whistle, guitar, bouzouki bodhran and more, with songs from Italian lass Simona Lippi — many “as Gaeilge”!
SATURDAY 15TH MARCH
10.30pm – Paul Jermyn and Duxy Smith, Widow’s Bar, Belturbet, downstairs bar.
10.30pm - WilloS’ Concert, Don Smith’s Lounge, Cootehill. The Italian Irish traditional five-piece bring their show to Cootehill, performing in Don Smith’s, Bridge Street, another excellent venue for those wishing to experience top musicians “up close”.
SUNDAY 16TH MARCH
8.30pm - Emer Henry and Fintan McManus, Widow’s Bar, Belturbet, downstairs lounge. The Belturbet girl, accompanied by Fintan on guitar and bouzouki will get the atmosphere warned up from early on Sunday evening
10.00pm - Euro Ceol Monster Session, Widow’s Bar, Belturbet, downstairs lounge; this all out completes what will be a great night of music and song in Belturbet’s home of trad.
MONDAY 17TH MARCH
1.00PM – FIVE HOUR ST PATRICK’S DAY SESSION, FARNHAM ARMS HOTEL, CAVAN.
8.00pm - Andy Irvine Concert Widow’s Belturbet, Upstairs Folk Club, St Patrick’s Night, doors open at 7.25pm, with Cavan’s Paul Jermyn appearing as a special guest support act.
TUESDAY 18TH MARCH
8.00pm - Andy Irvine Concert, Widow’s Belturbet, Upstairs Folk Club. Andy has been hailed as “a tradition in himself”, and it’s small wonder this second show had to be added due to public demand.MC for both Irvine concerts is Mickey McDonnell. Doors open at 7.25pm, cover charge is €20 Seated and €15 Standing , and tickets can be booked from Brendan Fay at 049 952 2274.
FRIDAY 28TH MARCH
9.00pm - Music Recital in the Wesleyan Chapel Arts, Cultural and Tourism Centre, Bailieboro, with fiddler Antoin Mac Gabhann, the “master musician of Mullahoran”, lilter Seamus Fay, “king of the lilters, bodhran and bones expert Trevor Bury and Cavan’s up and coming harp playing sensation Kavan Donohoe, three times Granard Harp Festival winner.tickets €10
Saturday 29th March
Nyah World Music Night Kerekes, from Hungary
Nyah in partnership with Fox’s Footwear Cavan & Northern Sound Radio.
Concert takes place in the Backyard Arts Centre, Moynehall, Cavan Town with the internationally acclaimed Kerekes, from Hungary, to headline.
Formed in 1995, Kerekes soon became a well-known dance-house band across Hungary. Named as “Ambassadors of Culture for the European Year of Intercultural Dialogue” earlier this year, they perform what’s now known as “Magyar Funk”, a special mixture of Hungarian, Romanian, Serbian and Turkish folk music.
Kerekes’ debut visit to Cavan as part Nyah Co Cavan Arts Festival World Music in the Backyard Arts Centre Moynehall Cavan Town Saturday 29th March 2008 Tickets €15 and will include a complimentary drinks reception with wine from all over the world to be sampled at 8.15pm and Concert starts at 9pm.
Contact Martin Donohoe 086 2342270 to book tickets ,
Multisound Cavan or at the venues named.
Nyah 2008 continues through April and May with even more big-name acts — so keep the eyes open and ears to the ground to keep up with all that’s happening!
Please visit www.cavanmusic for information about Nyah events in County Cavan.
For further details about how you can help the Nyah Music for All Series with Sponsorship, Contact Terry Crowe 086 1591354 Martin Donohoe 086 2342270
The Nyah Arts Festival Programme 2008 is subsidised by the Arts Council, Cavan Co Council, Cavan Arts Office, Failte Ireland, Wrangler Footwear, Riverfront Hotel, Virginia, Widows Bar, Comhaltas, Northern Sound Radio,Fox’s Footwear, Cavan Tourism, Farnham Arms Hotel, Cavan 1 Hour Kodak Express, Crowe’s Corner Bar, Ramor Theatre, Backyard Arts Centre. Don Smith’s Bar,Super Valu, Cavan. The Nyah acknowledges its grateful thanks for this support and all those others who have provided generous support over the years.