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A new cross-border collaboration to promote top class Irish and folk music on the island of Ireland is beginning this month with a series of concerts in Rostrevor and Carlingford.
In the first collaboration of its kind Carlingford Heritage Trust and Rostrevor Folk Club at Crawfords are taking turns to showcase some incredible musicians.
Six concerts will be held in both May and August, with artists performing in Carlingford and Rostrevor on successive nights. Zoë Conway and John Mc Intyre have presented a popular Spring and Summer series at Carlingford Heritage Centre for some years, introducing and playing with the cream of Irish Music. Across the lough, Rostrevor Folk Club at Crawfords, with Colum Sands as its guiding light, has been presenting top folk and Irish music artists for over seven years. It is hoped that the collaboration will promote world class live music across around Carlingford Lough, building connections as it grows.
Colum Sands said “People have found ways to carry their songs over land and water for as long they have watched the turning of the tide. I have always loved observing how those songs, with their stories and tunes, have found their own quiet ways of carrying people on great journeys too!”
The programme will see guest artists of the calibre of Liam Ó Maonlaí, Donal O’Connor and Muireann Nic Amhloibh, Tim Edey, Alfi, Bill Whelan, Cathy Jordan and Barry Kerr feature.
Co-Artistic director of the series, Zoë Conway said "Our spring and summer concerts are always special events, but this new connection across the lough between North and South feels like a truly special collaboration. I find these two villages of Rostrevor and Carlingford have that magical quality situated between mountain, forest and sea, that writers, musicians and artists have been inspired by for generations, so this new relationship is a great artistic pairing too!"
John Mc Intyre added “We look forward to welcoming some of the finest musicians in Ireland to two very fine music rooms on the shores of Carlingford Lough.
Colum Sands concluded “The launch of ‘A lough of songs’ puts a fresh and welcome breeze in the sails of that timeless voyage with a wonderful series of concerts across the Lough from Carlingford to Rostrevor and back. Long may it flourish and help the songs and people from far and near to keep on meeting and greeting in a spirit of neighbourliness around the lough and around the shores of the world.”
Spring Series
May 12th • Donal O’Connor and Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh • 4pm • Carlingford Heritage Centre
May 13th • Tim Edey • 8pm • Rostrevor Folk Club
May 19th • Liam Ó Maonlaí • 4pm • Carlingford Heritage Centre
May 20th • Liam Ó Maonlaí • 8pm • Rostrevor Folk Club
May 26th • Alfi • 4pm • Carlingford Heritage Centre
May 27th • Alfi • 8pm • Rostrevor Folk Club
