THE Masters of Tradition festival, which takes place in Bantry from August 19th until August 23rd, promises another exceptional line up this year.
West Cork Music has confirmed that concerts will take place in the Maritime Hotel and the intimate library of Bantry House, as well as talks in Marino Church and a programme of secret concerts on Whiddy Island.
The festival’s artistic director is world-renowned fiddle player Martin Hayes, who is one of the most influential musicians in the world of Irish traditional music today.
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He founded the seminal Irish American band, The Gloaming, and more recently The Martin Hayes Quartet and The Common Ground Ensemble.
Hayes will take part in various talks and performances throughout the festival.
Masters of Tradition presents a rare opportunity to hear renowned accordionist Charlie Piggott, one of the founding members of De Danann, in combination with his son, fiddler and singer, Rowan Piggott.
An Irish music legend, Charlie has had a lifetime of touring to such notable venues as Carnegie Hall, The Royal Albert Hall and The Great American Music Hall, so this will be a special and intimate occasion.
Rowan is well-known on the UK folk scene for touring with his folk trio, The Wilderness Yet, and his old-time duo, Old Spot.
This is a chance to hear his musical heritage and experience the folk process in action as father and son pass tunes and songs back and forth.
Musician Louise Mulcahy was 13 when she took up the uilleann pipes, and has since become one of the leading players of what is a traditionally male-dominated instrument.
She is also a primary school teacher in County Meath, and holds the honour of being the only person in the history of Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann to have won four senior All-Ireland titles in one day.
Louise will perform in the Masters of Tradition Friday concert alongside Máirín Fahy, Patsy Broderick and Ciarán Ó Gealbháin.
Alt-folk duo The Breath takes to the stage in the festival’s Saturday concert on August 22nd.
Guitar whiz Stuart McCallum and award-winning singer Ríoghnach Connolly formed The Breath in 2016 to present their contemporary take on alt-folk.
