Tradflix 2021 -

Events

Tradflix 2021

People are encouraged to watch, share and enjoy the free series which will be shared on the NYAH Facebook page or contact Martin Donohoe NYAH CCE Chair on 0862342270.

Festival of tradition is a welcome return

Cavan is bracing itself for a deluge of traditional music, song and dance as an exciting festival of entertainment will be programmed for the end of this month. NYAH Comhaltas group present TRADFLIX 2021, which will run from 24 to 27 June 2021.

An online and live programme that will reflect the story and the legacy of traditional Irish music, song, dance and language of County Cavan and Ulster Tradition. The pre-recorded programmes provides an opportunity to introduce aspects of the rich cultural legacy of the region as well as featuring the current cohort of musicians, singers, storytellers and dancers.

The artists are encouraged to tell their own story as they perform during the four free online nights of programmes. Among the guests are singers the McKeaney singing sisters Anna, Mary, Peggy, Rosie and Kathleen, John Moulden (Antrim), on accordion Grainne Smith (Cavan), Laurence Nugent (Fermanagh) on flute and whistle, Uilleann piper Tiarnán Ó Duinnchinn (Monaghan), Sinead Finnegan on fiddle (Monaghan), Ciaran Kelly and Fintan McManus (accordion and bouzouki duet from Fermanagh) and singer Cathal Lynch (Tyrone).

Martin Donohoe says the programme takes into account where we are with a mix of live and file recordings: “We are using archival material from 2012 concerts in Cavan with Dog Big Dog Little group which included the late Ben Lennon and fiddler Tommy Peoples. We also have an interview with Cavan’s Kevin McDermott of Owen Roe Tce in Cavan and Wexford.”

TRADFLIX 2021 promises to be one of the most interesting and comprehensive cultural responses to COVID-19 nationwide and among the Irish diaspora. Organised by NYAH group it taps into the 21 years of experience in festival planning. NYAH Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann branch members have operated throughout the Covid 19 restrictions with online zoom classes, recitals and concerts on the internet to the delight of thousands of fans across the globe.

“Our NYAH live events been disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic over the last fifteen months but the new guidelines will allow us to hold 10, two hour master classes in Ulster music and song with five students per workshop on instruments and songs in Cavan venues,” Martin explained. The master class workshop will cost €20 per student.

“We also have free open air group workshop in mixed instruments,” the NYAH coordinator said.

To book or to find out more contact cavanmusiclive@gmail.com all booking will be on a first come basis due to Covid 19 restrictions.

The depth of talent on offer over the course of the festival is impressive. Other performers include: Aoife Murray (singer Cavan), Seamus Fay (lilter Cavan), Eamon Maguire (storyteller Cavan), Karen Dolan (banjo Cavan), Peter McKenna (uilleann piper Tyrone), Laura Callaghan (guitar Cavan), Grainne Brady (fiddle Cavan), Barry Conaty (flute and whistle Cavan), Ellen Grant (accordion Cavan) and Karen McMahon (guitar Cavan).

The programme will be complimented by the performances of Grace Toland (singer Donegal), Siobhán and Brendan Molloy (flute and banjo Derry), John Fox (whistle), Conor Kiernan (keyboard), Philip Clarke (keyboard Cavan), Hannah O'Reilly (singer Cavan), Eddie Hall (harmonica), Mickey McDonnell (songs and bouzouki), Richard Lyons (bodhran), James and Brian Ellis (fiddle and concertina Cavan).

Rounding out the line up is Antoin MacGabhann (fiddle Cavan), Padraig Conroy (accordion Cavan), Jane, Cara and Molly Walls (uilleann pipes, harp and fiddle Antrim), Sean, Aoife and Niall Curran (uilleann pipes, concertina and flute Cavan), Shane, Ryan and Dylan Duffy (dancers singers and musicians Cavan), Zoran and Savannah Donohoe (Flute and Concertina Cavan).

There will be much anticipation for the programme of Sunday June 27. This will feature an afternoon of live NYAH music song and dance in Backyard Arts Centre Courtyard from 4pm. Tickets costing €10 can be booked via Text to 0868173153. Social Distancing guidelines will be in place and capacity extremely limited so book early to avoid disappointment.

The group have had a number of outreach performances in recent times: “We will continue to visit nursing homes to entertain staff and residents during the month of July,” Martin said.

He continued: “We would like to sincerely thank all our sponsors, Arts Council Ireland Festivals Investment Scheme, Cavan Co Council Arts Office, Lynchprint Cavan, The Farnham Arms Hotel Cavan, Sherdian’s Insurance College St Cavan, Anglo Celt Newspaper, Backyard Arts Centre Moynehall, Creative Ireland & Cavan Co Council Creative Cavan Team, Shannonside and Northernsound Radio, Irish Music Magazine, Floods Taxis, McQuaids Opticians, Neil Doherty Mels Signs, Gary Lynch Fermanagh, ITMA Irish Traditional Music Archive Dublin, Smyths Cablevision Cavan and Mary and Rich Brautigan USA .”

“We are very grateful to Tinko Tinev Media Team for the Digital Sound -Vision Recordings and Veronica and Tara the TV Floor set up crew. Brian Renyolds Cootehill for recording, Kevin McDermott for NYAH Cavan Arts Office archive. Brian Doyle Digitisation and Digital Access Officer ITMA who recorded in Donegal and finally Cashel Community Centre Fermanagh.”

Martin said the ability to put on such an extensive programme is down to the many hands that made the work load light: “Thanks to the artists throughout Ulster who submitted material for inclusion in our online programme. We have compiled a series of four shows which show off the great wealth of tradition and talent that we have within the province. The series will air from Thursday June 24 to Sunday June 27 with 8 pm broadcasts and special Taste Of Cavan Culture videos during the afternoons. All can be viewed on our You Tube via our Co Cavan NYAH Facebook Page.”

Martin concluded with a special mention for one long time supporter: “We thank the family of Artist Pauline Halton RIP who allowed us to use a beautiful painting of Pauline’s to highlight our 21st year of NYAH Events.”

Tune in to The Wind That Blows Radio Show, Wednesday 8pm and Sundays 9pm with the Cavanman on Shannonside Northern Sound Radio for updates. Check updates via www.cavanarts.ie

ONLINE Schedule Co Cavan NYAH Facebook page

Thursday 24th 8pm John Moulden Antrim and Cathal Lynch Tyrone in Conversation.

Friday 25th 8pm McKeaney Singing sisters Anna, Mary, Peggy, Rosie and Kathleen from Fermanagh. Some tunes with Peggy Mc Govern, Kathleen Meehan, Karen McMahon & Martin Donohoe and some solo songs from Rosie Stewart .

Saturday 26th 8pm Ciaran Kelly and Fintan McManus (accordion and bouzouki duet from Fermanagh), Grace Toland Singer (Donegal), Grainne Brady Fiddler from Mullahoran Co Cavan, Jane, Cara and Molly Walls uilleann pipes, harp and fiddle (Antrim), Laurence Nugent on flute and whistle Fermanagh, Uilleann piper Tiarnán Ó Duinnchinn (Monaghan).

Sunday 27th 8pm Ulster & Cavan Showcase with Archive videos recorded in Cavan of Tommy Peoples Fiddle Donegal, Dog Big Dog Little Group and videos of over 15 of Ulsters Finest Singers and Musicians recorded especially for TRADFLIX 2021