Lovers of traditional music, Kerry style, are in for a real treat with confirmation of a new music series starting on TG4 on January 19.
The new performance-driven music series brings the best of music from West Kerry and further afield to the screens.
Scoil Cheoil an Earraigh is a traditional music school in Baile an Fheirtéaraigh, in the west Kerry Gaeltacht of Corca Dhuibhne, and for 20 years, musicians and singers have been flocking to the village in February to celebrate and share the musical heritage of the area.
Performers from all over Ireland and beyond meet to teach, collaborate, share and perform and they are joined by music lovers of all ages.
The series presents highlights of concerts recorded in front of live audiences in West Kerry, combined with specially curated intimate performances recorded in various locations in Corca Dhuibhne during the festival in February 2024.
Scoil Cheoil an Earraigh is presented by broadcaster and musician Pádraig Ó Sé and West Kerry musicians are very much to the fore in the first programme.
Pádraig Ó Sé takes the opportunity to showcase his talent along with his family Muintir Shé joined by guitarist Kyle Macaulay. Also featured in the first programme are Kerry based performers Niamh Varian-Barry and Peter Staunton, members of the band Super Céilí, on fiddle and box, and singer Ciarán Ó Gealbháin, formerly of Danú, is joined by multi-instrumentalist Caoimhín Ó Fearghail.
Acclaimed Dingle musicians Aoife and Deirdre Granville share wren tunes on fife as well as other pieces from the area on harp and flute. Also appearing in the first programme of the series are young musicians Pádraig Mac Suibhne, Déithín Ní Fhatharta and Siún Ní Eartáin from the Donegal, Conamara and West Kerry Gaeltachts.
The series continues with some special performances from a combination of local, national and international artists. Singer and musician Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh is joined by Dónal O’Connor and Gerry O’Beirne in programme two.
The series continues weekly bringing performances from the new band, Cuas, featuring Méabh Ní Bheaglaoich, Nicole Ní Dhubhshláine, Niamh Varian-Barry and Kyle MacAulay.
Breanndán Ó Beaglaoich will be appearing with his daughter Clíodhna Ní Bheaglaoich and guitar maestro, Steve Cooney.
The series features a host of other musicians and singers including Dingle’s Éilís Ní Chinnéide, Éamonn and Colm Ó Meachair from Cúil Aodha, Andy Ó Súilleabháin from Kenmare and young fiddle players Aisling Ní Chléirigh and Méabh Ní Chonaill as well as a host of others.
The series will also includea special programme called Beir mo Dhúthracht, featuring singers from West Kerry performing songs associated with the area and celebrating those who wrote the songs and passed on the tradition.
Appearing in the programme, recorded in Tigh an tSaorsaigh in Baile an Fheirtéaraigh, are Ciara de Mórdha, Éibhlín Ní Cheárna, Sláine Ní Chathalláin, Páidí Mhárthain Mac Gearailt, Noelie Ó Maoileoin and Mossie Ó Scannláin along with performances from the archives by Seán de hÓra, Tomás Ó Mainín and Tom Mhaurice Ó Súilleabháin.
Scoil Cheoil an Earraigh will be broadcast on TG4 starting on Sunday, January 19 at 9.30pm.
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