Martin Donohoe Director

WWW.CAVANMUSIC.COM NYAH — County Cavan Festival 2009 FÉILE EALAÍON CHONTAE AN CHABHÁN, MARCH 11TH – Preparations are well in place for the Nyah County Cavan Festival 2009, which will see hundreds of musicians and artists descend on the Breffni territory throughout the month of March to take part in a packed programme of events across the county, ranging from major concerts to intimate pub sessions, with a host of extras including music and song workshops, the ‘Jig of Life’ awards, and book and CD launches. The word “Nyah” refers to the very expression of the tradition; to the soul and feeling that makes it so unique......it’s about the lift the music can give to the hardest heart. And what better time than the present to let the hair down and enjoy a collective “lift” from all the doom, gloom and depression? The Nyah must go on — so forget the recession and enjoy the session! And there’ll be no shortage of top-flight musicians, dancers and singers in seisiún at the Nyah Féile Ealaíon Chontae an Chabhán 2009. The likes of accordion legend Joe Burke, melodeon master Johnny Connolly are just the tip of the iceberg, as a host of top performers will not only showcase their talents, but share them in the extensive workshop teaching sessions that have also been arranged. Counties like Clare and Donegal are renowned for their music, and they have their Clancy and Kennedy festivals. But over the last six years the Nyah has grown and grown — and claimed March as the month when the auld drumlin county of Cavan takes centre stage. The 2009 Nyah Festival will see events in Ballyjamesduff, Belturbet, Cavan Town, Cootehill and Kilnaleck — while Virginia, on the shores of scenic Lough Ramor claims pride of place on this occasion, and will host two gala concerts featuring the best of the best as well as a series of workshops in every instrument and aspect of the tradition. And while the annual festival brings great artists from far an wide, it also remains a celebration of all things Cavan, celebrating the music, song, dance and culture of a county that has its very own musical style within the Ulster tradition. Working behind the scenes in promoting the whole thing are local enthusiasts of the tradition, drawn from groups such as Cavan Town Comhaltas, Cavan Tourism, Cavan Multi-Cultural Network and Cavan Co Council. All are committed to promoting every art form in the area, including the visual and literary arts also. Regional artists will have the opportunity to network with those visiting from farther afield, and the Nyah’s hope is to raise the profile of art and traditional arts both locally and nationally. The Nyah aims to immerse people of every age, from schoolchildren upwards (through the school programme and master classes) in the music of the drumlins, giving everyone a chance to work with world-class performers and learn from them.? But the tuition is only a part of it — the sessions, the talks, the concerts and the craic all add up to make Nyah one of Ireland’s steadily growing festivals. So be sure to put a bit of “Nyah” into your life and visit some of the events planned for County Cavan Festival 2009, from 11th-20th March. And remember to keep a look out for all Nyah events, which continue on a year-round basis. The Nyah Arts Festival Programme 2009 is subsidised by the Arts Council, Cavan Co Council Arts Office, Comhaltas and Fáilte Ireland. The Nyah gives grateful thanks for this support and acknowledges all those others who have provided generous backing over the years. For further Nyah information visit www.myspace.com/nyahcavan and www.cavanmusic.com; contact Martin Donohoe 086 2342270, Marian Crowe 087 4169266, Fintan McManus 087 6842198 Nyah; for Comhaltas information Terry Crowe 086 1591354; also The Arts Office, Farnham Centre Cavan on 049 4378548. NYAH?2009 MARCH?PROGRAMME? DÉ CÉADAOIN / WEDNESDAY 11TH MARCH • Daytime Schools Seisiún — traditional music/song sessions and concerts throughout the day in selected schools. • 10pm Farnham Arms Hotel Cavan Traditional Seisiún — with Pat McManus, Fermanagh (fiddle/guitar), Seamus Fay (lilter), Fintan McManus (bouzouki), Martin Donohoe (accordion), and Cavan Set Dancers. DÉARDAOIN / THURSDAY 12TH MARCH • Daytime Schools Seisiún — traditional music/song sessions and concerts throughout the day in selected schools. • 10pm Boylan’s Lounge, Kilnaleck Traditional Seisiún — with Cuisle Ceoil band. and guests Patsy Hanly (flute) and John Wynne (flute), Roscommon. DÉ HAOINE / FRIDAY 13TH MARCH • 8pm Ramor Theatre Virginia Drawing to music is an exhibition of monochrome drawings made specifically to traditional music in New York last year by Fermanagh based Visual Artist Diane Henshaw, who is noted for her use of line and formulated composition in creating striking hues and tones using line, print, collage and form. • 8.30pm Ramor Theatre GALA CONCERT, — with Charlie McGettigan (singer), Maggie Boyle (UK folk singer), Dean Warner (piano accordion, from Leeds) accompanied by Ryan Molloy (piano), Michael Harrison (fiddle) and Dáire McGeown (banjo), Meitheal Summer School winners Courtney Cullen (fiddle) and Gavin Strappe (banjo), Noel Battle (mouth organ), Seamus Fay (lilter), Paul Jermyn (guitar and singer), Spence (guitar), Trevor Bury (bodhran), Cavan Town Comhaltas Youth. (Booking 049 8547074; admission €18. concession €16; wine & cheese reception in Riverfront Hotel before concert, sponsored by Riverfront.) • 10pm Riverfront Hotel Virginia Free Pub Music Session til late — with Louise Devitt and Caitríona Horan, Leitrim (flutes), Kavan Donohoe (harp), Mickey McDonnell (banjo), Noel Battle (mouth organ king!) and Aodhán Ó Moynihan (accordion). DÉ SATHAIRN / SATURDAY 14TH MARCH • 10am-12noon Shannonside Northern Sound Radio Broadcast — tune in to ‘The Saturday Connection”, with Charlie McGettigan hosting a lively show featuring live performances from Maggie Boyle (UK folk singer), Paul Jermyn (Cavan born singer-songwriter), Spence (UK singer and guitarist) and other Nyah Festival guests. • NYAH Music & Song Workshop’s (in co-operation with Cavan Town Comhaltas and Cavan Arts Office) in the Riverfront Hotel Virginia and the Ramor Theatre. All classes must be pre-booked by Friday 6th March, no additional entries taken on the day. Bouzouki - Fintan McManus, Button Accordion - Damien Keaney Banjo - Enda Scahill Concertina - Breda Shannon, Fiddle - Gary Lynch, Antoin Mac Gabhann Flute - Caitríona Horan Uilleann Pipes - Tom Clarke, Eamonn Curran Piano Accordion - Dean Warner Traditional Singing (English and Irish) - Aoife Murray Guitar - Paul Jermyn, Spence Folk Songs - Maggie Boyle Lilting - Seamus Fay Piano - Padraic O’Reilly Whistle - Louise Devitt Bodhran - Trevor Bury Harp - Kavan Donohoe Pre-booked Registration takes place in Riverfront Hotel at 2pm and classes and final round up are held from 2.30pm - 5.00pm. Group classes are available in instruments listed below at €10 per child/adult. Due to a limited number of spaces, lessons are first come, first served and must be signed up for in advance. Private lessons are €20 each for a 40-minute session and must be signed up for in advance. Send enquiries and entries to cavanmusiclive@ gmail.com, contact Martin Donohoe 086 2342270, 75 College St., Cavan Town. If entering, please send the following details: name, chosen instrument, grade (beginner/intermediate/advanced). Cancellation of Workshop: All courses are subject to minimum enrolment, and when the Nyah/CCE for any reason cancels classes, students may transfer to another class or receive a full refund. Comhaltas reserves the right to cancel any course for which there is insufficient enrolment and to withdraw or modify course offerings. Class locations and instructors may also be changed when necessary. :: 4pm Riverfront Hotel, Enda Scahill Irish Banjo Tutor Launch and Recital - a launch of the first fully comprehensive guide to traditional Irish tenor banjo playing, with a demonstration from its author, the renowned Enda Scahill of some of the techniques that have brought him to the forefront of Irish banjo music in recent years. FREE Event. • 8.30pm Ramor Theatre “Jig of Life” Nyah Awards GALA CONCERT 2009 — with the Jig of Life Awards in appreciation of outstanding contributions to Traditional Arts, which will see handcrafted impressions created by the ‘Captured in Time’ company (www.capturedintime.ie) presented to: Johnny Connolly (melodeon), Kathleen and Michael McGlynn (sean-nós dancers), Brian and Eithne Vallely (uilleann pipes, fiddle and songs), Mattie Joe Shéamuis Ó Fatharta (sean-nós singer, musician), Joe Burke and Ann Conroy (button accordionists), Pádraigín Ní Uallacháin and Len Graham (singers). Special guests on the night include Padraic O’Reilly (piano), Gerry Harrington (fiddle), Stephanie Makem (vocalist), Tiarnán Ó Duinnchinn (uilleann pipes) and the Cavan Set Dancers. MC is Martin Donohoe, Shannonside Northern Sound. (Booking 049 8547074; admission €20, concession €15.) • 10pm Riverfront Hotel Sets Ceili — with The Glenside Ceili Band; tickets €10, including tea and sandwiches. • 10pm Riverfront Hotel Free Pub Music Session til late — with John Daly, Cork (fiddle) Dean Warner, Leeds (Piano Acc) and Philip Clarke (keyboard), Cavan. All welcome to join in. DÉ DOMHNAIGH / SUNDAY 15TH MARCH • Riverfront Hotel Lunchtime Session — Cavan music at its best with Antoin Mac Gabhann (fiddle) Martin Gaffney (flute); all musicians welcome. • 2pm-3pm Ballyjamesduff County Museum Free Workshop/Recital — Sponsored by Co Cavan Arts Office, this event in the Ballyjamesduff County Museum is an introduction to ‘Starting Irish Traditional Music’, with Garry Lynch, Fermanagh (fiddle) and Philip Clarke, Cavan (keyboards, piano accordion) as group leaders, and featuring performances from local Comhaltas musicians. This Workshop introduces students to the history and practice of Irish traditional music. Students need to have no prior knowledge of the subject. They will learn about the broad spectrum of Irish traditional music and will gain valuable insights into the different aspects, approaches and regional styles involved. Information for parents on where to start children in the music, song and dance will be shared on the day by local Comhaltas members (please note that this workshop does not include instrument tuition); admission is free, and all ages are welcome. • 3pm-4pm Ballyjamesduff County Museum “Away With The Fairies” Seanchaí, with Sancho Gallilei. This special free show for the kids in the County Museum is a dramatic exploration of superstitions, myths and beliefs in the oral tradition, performed by Sancho Gallilei; admission free, sponsored by Co Cavan Arts Office and Drifters/Wrangler Shoes. • • 2pm-6pm Crowe’s Corner Ballyjamesduff, the local pub owned by set dancers Declan and Marian. • Sean-Nós Dancing Workshop2pm-3.30pm (free) — the “Sean-Nós Dancing Kitchen Sessions” begin with a workshop given by Kathleen and Michael McGlynn. • 4pm-6pm Crowe’s Corner Sean-Nós Dancing Exhibition and Competition — with a €100 prize for junior and senior age group winners. Entries taken on the day, with music from Mattie Joe Shéamuis Ó Fatharta (flute), Johnny Connolly (melodeon), and Louise Devitt and Caitríona Horan (flutes). • 7pm-9pm Widow’s Bar Belturbet, Fiona Fitzpatrick & Band in Concert — this admission free show tips the hat in the contemporary direction as Cavan’s young lady of jazz takes to the stage. • 9pm Widow’s Bar Pub Seisiún — with Fintan McManus (bouzouki), Gabriel McArdle Fermanagh (traditional singer) and friends; free admission, all welcome. DÉ LUAIN / MONDAY 16TH MARCH • Daytime Schools Seisiún — traditional music/song sessions and concerts throughout the day in selected schools. LÁ FHÉILE PÁDRAIG / TUESDAY 17TH MARCH • 1pm Farnham Arms Hotel St Patrick’s Day Seisiún — straight after Town Parade, with Euro Ceol and Cavan Town Comhaltas DÉ CÉADAOIN/WEDNESDAY 18TH MARCH • Farnham Arms Hotel Cavan Traditional Seisiún — with Pat McManus, Fermanagh (fiddle/guitar), Fintan McManus (bouzouki), Martin Donohoe (accordion) and Euro Ceol friends. DÉ HAOINE / FRIDAY 20TH MARCH 2009 • 10.30pm Kieran Mullen’s Cootehill, Traditional Pub Seisiún — with Martin Donohoe, Mickey McDonnell and friends. The Nyah programme promotes events throughout the county on a year-round basis.