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Newry musical legends, The 4 of Us feature in a new RTE series that celebrates an iconic live music venue in each province that is synonymous with Traditional and Folk music. The series premiered on 1 September 2023, and this programme will be broadcast on Friday, 22 September at 8.30pm on RTÉ 1, the final programme of the series.
Called Seisiún the series seeks to amplify and enhance a sense of belonging and pride of place rooted in the venues, their unique locations and their struggle for survival. Venues like McGrory's, Culdaff, Donegal driven by passionate owners such as John Reynolds, have managed to create music havens against all odds and the series acknowledges their contribution and previous owners’ contribution to the cultural and musical continuity of the region.
The 4 of Us make an appearance in McGrory's with a new song performed live for the first time. In this programme, the last of the series musician and presenter Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh visits McGrory's, a historic venue which has played host to some of Ireland's most talented artists, making it an integral part of the region's musical tapestry. The 4 of Us return to their musical home-from-home to share their experience of playing in the packed-out McGrory’s venue, as well as performing a new song for the first time on the programme. Venues like McGrory’s are where musicians like The 4 of Us can test run new music before they bring it further afield and it comes as no surprise that McGrory’s has seen world famous names take to their stage, such as Chic and Guy Clark, Cassandra Wilson, Paul Brady, Mary Black, and Altan.
This establishment has been welcoming music lovers for over 90 years, creating a true haven for music enthusiasts. McGrory's rich history spans decades, serving as a gathering place for both local and visiting musicians. Independent venues such as McGrory’s don’t receive state funding and yet manage to attract the biggest names in the music business, giving national promoters and large-scale institutions a run for their money. Seisiún seeks to highlight the significance and importance of these isolated rural venues as cultural linchpins and social spaces that contribute so much to local communities and to regional music culture.
The best and brightest of bands, musicians, and singers who have proud associations with these much-cherished family run venues are the focus of the series but we are also showcasing and celebrating proud family run establishments who have consistently and doggedly kept the doors open for live music audiences right across the four provinces. Coming to you from Ireland’s most northerly venue amidst the stunning landscape of the Inishowen peninsula in County Donegal, McGrory's of Culdaff will showcase a night of music and gather musicians and music lovers alike to celebrate this iconic venue.
Featured in the programme along with Newry's finest are some Donegal’s best traditional musicians such as trio The High Seas, the world-renowned Dermot Byrne and Ciarán Tourish and the Glasgow/Donegal Irish music group, The Friel Sisters. Lisa Canny and her band bring a new flavour to the mix with pop influenced by traditional music and Muireann meets the man running the show behind this iconic venue, John Reynolds.
Reynolds said "McGrory’s is as north as you can go on this island with a purpose built stage for live music and despite our remote location we’ve tried to serve as a hub for a wider region here in Donegal and on into Derry. We’ve been through the 80s, the Troubles and most recently Covid but as long as we can keep class acts and performers on stage we’ll keep the doors open for music and song."
The Series
Friday 1 September 8.30pm Campbell’s Tavern
Join renowned singer and presenter Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh in Campbell's Tavern in Cloughanover, Headford, County Galway. This family-run music venue has been a staple of the Irish music scene for over 50 years. In this programme musicians flock to celebrate Campbell’s Tavern, including legendary band The Saw Doctors who return to their musical home to pay homage to their favourite venue. The esteemed Galway fiddle players, The Kane Sisters and John Blake, join us for a flavour of local traditional music along with the wonderful Seán Keane and his band. Local artists The Whileaways and jazz aficionado Matthew Berrill grace the stage with new compositions of their own and Muireann meets the owner and the man behind the music, Willie Campbell.
Friday 8 September 8.30pm Connolly’s of Leap
Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh continues her exploration of family run live music venues in Connolly's of Leap in West Cork, a historic music venue pulsating with a musical legacy that spans three generations of the Connolly family. Performances from some of Connolly’s stalwarts include the incomparable voice of singer-songwriter Mick Flannery, the innovative Irish music group, Strung, and the powerhouse that is musician Clare Sands. Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh revamps a classic sean-nós song, with accompaniment from Cormac McCarthy and Macdara Ó Faoláin. And we meet the owners who curate this unique music hall from within the confines of 100-year-old cowshed, mother and son, Eileen Connolly and Sam McNicholl.
Friday 15 September 8.30pm The Cobblestone
In the heart of Dublin city, The Cobblestone stands as an icon for Irish traditional and folk music. The magnificent Stockton's Wing bring the house down with a rousing set of tunes and "pillar" musicians who frequent the weekly Cobblestone sessions such as the legendary Catherine McEvoy and Michelle O’Brien assemble some musical companions to bring a real taste of Dublin’s thriving traditional music scene. Rising stars John Francis Flynn and Inni-K share stunning renditions of sean-nós and folk songs and the man of the house, Tom Mulligan sheds light on the recent challenges this music house faced.
Friday 22 September 8.30pm McGrory’s
Our final destination takes us to McGrory's in Culdaff, County Donegal, a music hub welcoming music lovers for over 90 years where we meet the owner, John Reynolds. The 4 of Us make the pilgrimage to perform a stunning new song live for the first time and reminisce about the magical nights they had in the McGrory’s. With performances from some of Donegal's most talented traditional musicians such as The High Seas, Ciarán Tourish and Dermot Byrne, and the inimitable Friel Sisters. Last but not least, Lisa Canny rocks the stage with her band as she combines pop and traditional influences to create her unique new sound.
Seisiún is brought to you by the production team behind Cúltír (TG4) and the new series of Geantraí (TG4). Whether your musical taste leans towards traditional, folk, jazz, pop, or rock, you can get your music fix on Seisiún!
