On Saturday 15th February, members of the ‘Trad and Folk Society’ in Roscommon Community College had the opportunity to attend an excellent traditional music workshop organised by Music Network with some renowned tutors in the fabulous setting of King House, Boyle. The workshop attracted young people from County Roscommon and beyond. Those who attended from Roscommon Community College were Caoimhe Mullarkey on button accordian, Éabha Nally on concertina and fiddle, Claire Fetherston on banjo and Leah Gillooly on fiddle.
The tutors, all of whom received TG4 Gradam Ceoil Musician of the Year Awards were Liz Kane, Yvonne Kane and Derek Hickey. The Kane sisters have performed in high-status locations worldwide, including Carnegie Hall and the Royal Albert Hall alongside artists such as The Chieftains, Cherish the Ladies and Sharon Shannon. From Adare, County Limerick, Derek Hickey is the button accordion tutor on the BA Irish World Academy of Music and Dance, University of Limerick.
At the workshop, attendees had the pleasure of learning many tunes including Timmy O’ Connor’s Polka written by well-known accordionist from Sliabh Luachra. Attendees also had the opportunity to improve valuable skills such as learning by ear and playing with others, both of which are useful to improve their abilities as young musicians.
Later that evening, the tutors also played a wonderful sold-out concert in King House. They were joined by Macdara Ó Faoláin, recipient of TG4 Gradam Ceoil Young Musician of the Year and Best Folk Instrumentalist nominee at this year’s RTE Folk Awards for his innovative approach to traditional Irish music. The opportunity to see any of these artists is highly recommended and students from Roscommon Community College were delighted to have been part of this wonderful traditional music initiative.
Reported by Caoimhe Mullarkey.