Annual trad concert for charity in Drumshanbo

The annual charity concert of the Drumshanbo Traditional Irish Music School will be held in the Mayflower Community Centre, Drumshanbo on Friday, March 3 at 8pm.

‘Ceol Sa Reidhlean (In a Field of our Own)’ is the theme of this year’s concert.

The theme is focused on the progression of the human spirit when it becomes immersed in traditional music. Learning to balance the right (creativity) and left (analytical) hemispheres of the brain is a vital part in learning and retaining the music in theory and practice.

The goal is to bring the tradition to life to lift and inspire not only ourselves but everyone around us with the culture and heritage that Ireland is so well known for.

Front, Angela Keogh and Noirin Ui Chaomhanaigh. Back, Mossie Martin, tutor and Lucy Shanahan.
Photos: Willie Donnellan

The evening will be organised and performed by the students of the music course and all proceeds will be shared equally between two charities.

One is the Sligo Cancer Support Centre (also serves Leitrim) that provides vital transport services to cancer patients attending Dublin or Galway for treatment. They also provide support to family members.

The other charity chosen is DVAS (Domestic Violence Advocacy Service, Sligo, Leitrim & West Cavan) who provides a specialist response to women experiencing coercive control and domestic violence.

Michelle Bowe and Aoife Duignan.

The Drumshanbo Traditional Irish Music course was established in 1997 and is the only course of it’s kind in the country, providing an introduction to the traditional arts at QQI Level 5.

Students study modules in Irish Music, Music Theory, Music Performance, Event Production, Music Industry Studies, Work Experience and Communications.

Students are encouraged to learn an instrument of their choice and to practice every day, a core element of the course being the transmission of Irish music in the traditional manner - by ear.

This year we are especially honoured to have Pakie Duignan’s (Drumshanbo) great niece on the course, Aoife Duignan, who is an already established singer in the area and also a very gifted whistle player just like her uncle.

Over the years the course has produced many talented musicians, song writers, music producers and gifted writers that have gone on to Limerick University and written books on talented Irish Music composers and players.

There are also several other courses available in Drumshanbo Further Education and Training Centre – Business Administration, Tourism with Business and Health, Nutrition and Food Science. All these courses can be accessed through the VTOS Scheme – for more information please visit vtosleitrim.ie

Caroline McGrath and Rhianne Kennedy.

The annual charity concert is one of the highlights of the year and provides an ideal opportunity for students to showcase the tunes, songs and dances that they have been working on throughout the year.

This year there is an original song written and accompanied by Michael McKenna and sang by Aoife Duignan.

The song is called 'Arigna' a beautiful song about life as a miner's daughter and her love for the mountain she lives on.

Tickets are €10 and can be bought at the door on the night with U-12s going free.

They will also be available in Drumshanbo Post Office and from any member of the course.

There will also be a raffle during the interval with prizes sponsored by local businesses.

Your attendance and support would be greatly appreciated! Céad Míle Fáilte.