draiochtmusic

The Dartry Ceili Band, from County Sligo, have just released their first recording ‘The Killavil Post’. In August 2009 they won the All-Ireland Senior Céilí Band competition at Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann. The Dartry Ceili Band made history as being only the second Ceili Band to bring the title West of the Shannon since 1953. The 11 members of the band hail from the counties of Sligo, Mayo and Roscommon. Comprising of flutes, fiddles, concertina, accordion, piano and drums, the band plays with great energy and drive. In addition to the dance tunes, there are two songs on this recording, ‘The Piper’ by Cian Kearins and ‘Far Away in Australia’ by Noelle Carroll. Further details can be found at: www.dartryceiliband.com Upcoming CD launches The Dartry Ceili Band are launching their CD on Thur 22nd July, at the grand concert at the Joe Mooney Summer School in Drumshambo, followed by a Saturday night launch in The Roisín Dubh, Gurteen, on Saturday 24th July. They are performing during Scoil Eigse week at Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann 2010 in Cavan, at the Thursday night Ceili. Band members are: Fiddles: Philip Duffy, Declan Folan, John Kilkenny Flutes: Noelle Carroll, June McCormack, Cian Kearins Accordion: Seán Carroll; Concertina: Michael Rooney; Drums; Damien McGuinness; Piano: Kevin Brehony The Dartry Céilí Band formed in 2007 and hail from Co. Sligo. They have become in a very short time, a top ranking band, having won the All-Ireland Senior Céilí Band competition in 2009 . Dedication, motivation and individually strong players has seen to this, coupled with that North Connacht, joyous fiery style, (I'm biased!). The counties of Monaghan, Mayo and Roscommon are also represented in the lineup. Listening to them play, it's obvious they are very disciplined , whilst still retaining the character of the music. A band well worth the attention of anyone interested in traditional music and dance.Ceili bands have been an integral part of the traditional music scene over the years and long may it continue. “Stay with it!” Matt Molloy Clips of the band can be watched on these YouTube links http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-1ApBaN8Fzc and also on http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zXJx9Xj2e58&feature=channel\ Kevin Brehony – (Piano), is from Castlebaldwin, Co. Sligo. A former All-Ireland Champion in his own right, he features regularly at sessions throughout the northwest region and beyond. Kevin is frequently called upon to play with bands for set dancing at home and abroad and has featured on many CD recordings. Noelle Carroll – (Flute), from Teesan, Drumcliffe, Co. Sligo has just completed physiotherapy in UCD. Noelle has been involved in teaching the younger members at the Fred Finn CCE branch over the past 5 years and is also a member of the Fred Finn Senior Grupai Ceoil who received 1st place at this year’s All-Ireland Fleadh in Tullamore. Sean Carroll – (Button Accordion), is from Teesan, Drumcliffe, Co. Sligo and is older brother of band member Noelle Carroll. He was taught to play accordion by his father Michael, originally from Co. Leitrim who played with the well known Leitrim Ceili Group. Sean played for a time with Sligo Senior Gaelic footballers in the 90's. Philip Duffy – (Fiddle), originally from Tubbercurry he now lives in Carney, Co. Sligo. He is the founder member of the band and is a former All-Ireland winner. Philip also has a solo album on general release called ‘Killin’ Clocks’. Declan Folan – (Fiddle), is from Bunninadden, Co. Sligo. He has recently returned to South Sligo having spent 8 years playing in the Canary Islands. Declan, also a former All-Ireland winner can now be seen playing regularly in sessions in Tubbercurry, Gurteen and Ballymote. Cian Kearins (Flute), comes from the Ballymote area, Co. Sligo. He is a school teacher by profession and has won senior all Ireland titles in Flute, Whistle and signing in recent years. John Kilkenny - (Fiddle), from Belcarra, Castlebar comes from a musical family. He has been involved in playing, competing, teaching and promoting Irish traditional music at all levels. He presents his own Traditional Irish Music programme on CRC F.M. in Castlebar. June McCormack – (Flute), from Ballintogher, Co. Sligo was recipient of the TG4 Young Traditional Musician of the Year Award in 1998 and has published two Irish flute tutorials in recent years. She teaches in Scoil Naomh Bhride, Carns, Moneygold, Co. Sligo Damien McGuinness – (Drums), from Dromore West, Co Sligo is 17 years old and the youngest member of the band. He also plays button accordion, bodran and melodeon. Damien is Youth Officer of Tireragh branch of Comhaltas and teaches Ceili drumming in his local area. He was awarded first place in the 15-18 drumming competition in Tullamore in 2009. Mossie Martin – (Fiddle), is originally from Keadue, Co. Roscommon. He learned his music from Longford fiddler, Seamus Thompson. Mossie has played extensively abroad in recent years in Australia, France and Spain. He is a tutor with FETAC and currently teaches a PLC course in Traditional Irish music in Drumshanbo. Michael Rooney – (Concertina), is originally from Scotstown, Co. Monaghan. He plays harp, concertina and has composed a number of suites of music, including 'The Battle of the Books' in 2006. He teaches in Coola Vocational School, Co. Sligo. Michael is Musical Director of the band.

Music Network Presents And to Land’s End… Niamh De Búrca (voice) Michael Rooney (harp, concertina) June McCormack (flute) On Tour in Ireland 17-27 January, 2007 17th January Sligo (Model and Niland, 8 pm ) Thursday 18 January Listowel (St. John’s Theatre, 8 pm ), Friday 19 January Ballyvourney (Ionad Cultúrtha, 8.30 pm), Saturday 20 January Thurles (The Source Arts Centre 22 January Castlebar (Linenhall Arts Centre, 8 pm ), 23 January Dublin (The Coach House, Dublin Castle, 8 pm ), 25 January Ratoath (Ratoath Community Centre, 8 pm ), 26th January Castleblayney (Iontas, 8:30pm ) Saturday 27 January Wexford (Wexford Arts Centre, 8.30 pm). “Everything about Land's End radiates exquisite taste, exemplary tempo, sensitivity within sinew, and soulful originality,” Irish Echo This tour unites the mercurial talents of husband-and-wife team Michael Rooney and June McCormack, also known as Draíocht, with the unique singing of Niamh de Búrca, described by Altan’s Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh as “one of Irish music’s best-kept secrets”. Combining their rich musical repertoires, they can be heard on a Music Network tour of Ireland from 17 – 27 January 2007. Music Network tours provide a wonderful opportunity to see some of the world’s foremost music ensembles at affordable prices in venues around Ireland and are presented in association with The Irish Times and RTÉ lyric fm. Music Network is revenue funded by the Arts Council. Further information from Music Network at (01) 671 9429 or www.musicnetwork.ie. The combination of harp and flute are a perfect foil for the shimmering beauty of Niamh de Búrca’s voice, but when Michael and June kick up their heels these instruments give flight to sprightly reels, jigs and hornpipes. The tour showcases tunes from Draíocht’s highly acclaimed CD, Land’s End (2006), including several written by Michael, a prolific composer who has been dubbed the “new O'Carolan”. Niamh de Búrca has sung with the groups Fionnuisce and Grianán and in the stage show, ‘Ragús’, as well as performing regularly with guitarist Mark Kelly and piper Mick O’Brien. Michael Rooney has composed five major suites of music in the past decade, including an Aifreann na Gaeilge. In 2006 he published a book entitled 'Harp Tunes', which contains twenty three of his compositions. June McCormack won the senior flute competition at Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann in 1998, and, in the same year, was voted the TG4 Young Traditional Musician of the Year. June recently published an Irish flute tutorial entitled 'Fliúit'. www.musicnetwork.ie

JOHN EGAN MUSIC WEEKEND, Ballintogher, Co. Sligo. (Nov 3rd-5th) Gala Concert: Fri Nov 3rd Micheal O Raghailligh is teaching at the John Egan Music Weekend on Sat Nov 4th in Ballintogher, Co. Sligo, in addition to the following teachers; Workshops in the following on Sat Nov 4th; Fiddle Erin McGeown Flute Catherine McEvoy Whistle Colm O'Donnell Concertina Michael O'Raghallaigh Harp Lindsay Moynagh Button Accordeon Martin Donoghue Banjo Jarlath Brennan Drums Darragh Kelly Singing Frank Finn Irish Conversation Sean Nós Dancing (advance Booking essential) email: draiochtmusic@yahoo.com Details on: http://homepage.eircom.net/~fredfinn FIDDLER OF DOONEY COMPETITION is back! 1650 euro in prizes on SUNDAY 5TH NOV 2006 in Ballintogher, Co. Sligo as part of the John Egan Weekend (Nov 3rd-5th) Senior Competition Trophy + €1,000 Junior Competition (U-16 on 1st Jan 2006)Trophy + €200 Awards for 2nd and 3rd in both competitions email: draiochtmusic@yahoo.com Entries to Teresa McCormack Altvelid, Ballintogher, Co . Sligo by Oct 2oth Tel. 071-9164250 Down load entry forms on http://homepage.eircom.net/~fredfinn

Michael Rooney, harp and concertina player has just published a new book. It features 23 of Michael's compositions arranged for irish musicians, with melody and left hand accompaniment. He has composed extensively over the past decade and has completed four suites of music. The book can be purchased at www.draiochtmusic.com for $26 (including postage) Features of the book: 23 Compositions from Michael Rooney Includes 7 tunes recorded by Draiocht including;Aghaidh Jhanuis, Land's End Slip Jig, Mairead Gheal, Gort na Mona, Tir Rafartaigh, Na Maithe Mora and Boithrin Doire Melody and Left Hand Accompaniment Separate Accompaniment Arrangements Ornamentation and Variations From the introduction of the book... "This is a book of 23 of my own compositions, with melodies and accompanying left hand. I have also included a separate arrangement for accompaniment of each piece. There are 7 slip jigs, 2 reels, 4 airs, 2 barndances, 3 jigs, 2 planzties, a polka, a strathspey and a minuet presented in the book. All pieces are composed in the traditional idiom. I have arranged each piece as I might play it once through. Background information is provided for all of the compositions. Ornamentation is suggested in each piece, along with some suggested variations in both the melody and the left hand accompaniment. The 23 tunes presented here are part of a collection of over 40 composed in the last ten years..."

Michael Rooney, harp and concertina player from County Monaghan has just published a book of 23 of his compositions It features 23 of Michael's compositions arranged for traditional musicians, with melody and accompaniment. He has composed extensively over the past decade and has completed four suites of music. The book can be purchased at www.draiochtmusic.com for $26 (including postage) Features of the book: 23 Compositions from Michael Rooney Includes 7 tunes recorded by Draiocht including; Aghaidh Jhanuis, Land's End Slip Jig, Mairead Gheal, Gort na Mona, Tir Rafartaigh, Na Maithe Mora and Boithrin Doire Melody and Left Hand Accompaniment Separate Accompaniment Arrangements Ornamentation and Variations From the introduction of the book... "This is a book of 23 of my own compositions, with melodies and accompanying left hand. I have also included a separate arrangement for accompaniment of each piece. There are 7 slip jigs, 2 reels, 4 airs, 2 barndances, 3 jigs, 2 planzties, a polka, a strathspey and a minuet presented in the book. All pieces are composed in the traditional idiom. I have arranged each piece as I might play it once through. Background information is provided for all of the compositions. Ornamentation is suggested in each piece, along with some suggested variations in both the melody and the left hand accompaniment. The 23 tunes presented here are part of a collection of over 40 composed in the last ten years..."