Grada

Gráda is a new high-energy, captivating traditional group. Consisting of Irish and New Zealand members this new musical marriage from opposite ends of the world's axis has produced a fresh approach towards Irish music, fusing elements of jazzy improvisations and the raw energy of traditional Irish dance music. Formed in 2001 as a result of several years of successful musical collaborations, the band have become well known, in a short period of time for their musical expertise and already have a reputation for their unique and humorous way of entertaining audiences. Such was the word on the street in advance of their very first gig, which happened in the Cobblestone last October, that more people were turned away than for any previous concert at that venue!!!

Sliabh Notes

Sliabh Luachra is a small area that straddles the three counties of Cork, Kerry and Limerick and is an area rich in music, characters and history. Sliabh Luachra has provided the Irish tradition with some of its finest musicians, Johnny O' Leary, Padraig O' Keeffe and the Clifford's to name but a few, and it is an area famed for its unique brand of polkas/slides and dancing tradition. A couple of years ago three of Ireland's finest musicians Matt Cranitch, Donal Murphy and Tommy O' Sullivan, who over the years have become almost unofficial ambassadors for Sliabh Luachra, got together and formed the band Sliabh Notes. The band released their self titled debut on CBM records which was met with great critical and public approval and helped to build up the band's dedicated following. A few years on the band signed to Ossian Records in Cork and released their eagerly awaited follow-up, Gleanntain. The band has gone from strength to strength over the last number of years though they still retain their core Sliabh Luachra sound. The band's exemplary musicianship is duly captured on their spanking new release, Along Blackwater's Banks which features guest appearances by Steve Cooney, Matt Molloy and Kevin Burke.

Kilfenora Ceili Band

The objective of the present band is simply to keep the flame burning - to play in the style of their ‘50s predecessors and bring the atmosphere and excitement they generated to a new generation of dancers and listeners. Their five albums are chock full of reels, jigs, marches and more. The music will bring a smile to the lips of all those who are fans of uncompromised ceili music in its original form - pure, undiluted and resplendent in all its old vim, verve and vigor.

Flook

The secret of Flook is simple. It is the understanding between four musicians who, each after very different early musical careers, found their
way together. It lies in a spontaneity born of their exceptional ability to react and respond to one another. And most importantly, it is the very real sense of enjoyment between them at recognising this rare connection, then pushing it as far as it can go. Brian Finnegan and Sarah Allen provide the flute attack, with Sarah¹s Alto flute laying a bedrock of bass and grooves while Brian soars above, weaving his way in and out of the melody. Anchoring them both to the stage is the dream-team rhythm section of Ed Boyd on guitar and John Joe Kelly on bodhran, synchronised and gossamer-fine.

Tola Custy and Mirella Murray

There have been many great duets down through the years in Irish music…Peoples & Molloy, Finn & Horan, Hill & Linnane……..And here is another that sits comfortably in this exalted company. Tola and Mirella have been playing music together socially for many years but it was only after a great deal of coaxing by their friends that they set about recording their music. There is a tremendous lift in their playing, a sweetness and lightness of touch that lifts the listener but also a great power and drive that carries their audience along with them. The album was recorded at Sharon Shannon's studio outside Galway and released in time for the twosome's appearances on The Irish Spring Tour of Germany last March. The duet played to packed houses during the 17-date tour and arrived back to officially launch the album in the Roisin Dubh in Galway on April 9th. Since then Tola and Mirella have been busy promoting the album in Ireland with TV and radio appearances and squeezing in a gig at the Baltimore Fiddle Fair in West Cork where many of the special guests on the album Ed Boyd, Pat Marsh, John Joe Kelly and Pauline Scanlon joined them on stage.

Moher

Moher are a six piece traditional Irish Music band who were formed underneath the towering Cliffs of Moher a short number of years ago by two of North Clare's finest musicians. Flute player Noel O' Donoghue from Kilfenora and fiddle player Michael Queally from the nearby village of Inagh started playing as a duet almost twelve years ago. Their fiery brand of traditional music has warmed many a heart in North Clare and beyond and their reputation spread out from the weekly sessions in Doolin, Lisdoonvarna and Ennis. The duet was invited to the prestigious Dranouter Folk Festival and shortly after they released their first album, Out on the Ocean, to wonderful enthusiasm. The line-up has been expanded since to include Co. Clare musicians Pat Marsh on bouzouki, John Moloney on bodhran and Liam Murphy on guitar & vocals and the whole sound is given a new dimension by Paul O' Driscoll on double bass. Moher play a type of traditional music that is as old as the cliffs themselves. Their tunes and songs are drawn from the endless well of music from North Clare yet Moher breathe new life, freshness and vitality into them. Their albums are a must for any serious lover of Irish traditional music.

Anthony Quigney and Aidan McMahon

They say that fiddle and flute is the ultimate traditional duet. The combination of wind and string comes together to create a purity of sound that is difficult to match with other combinations of instrument. The aim of coming together as a duet is that both musicians compromise to some extent, their own individual styles to create a new musical entity born from the best traits of both musicians. A duet is a sharing of ideas and beliefs about music. In the case of McMahon and Quigney, this is definitely the case. In many ways both have different approaches to their own individual performances, driven by their musical backgrounds, their heritage's and the instruments that they play. However it can be said that the sound that this partnership has created has always been a combination of the best of both performers. Coming from either end of County Clare Anthony and Aidan have shown how the wide and varied styles of the banner county can be moulded together to create a sound that continues to exhibit the essence of Clare music. But even in this, their debut recording they have also looked outside the bounds of their native Clare for influence in their musical repertoire. A number of tunes written by themselves on their forthcoming album have flavours of French and Breton influence along with one or two tunes of Scottish origin also.