Award winning musician for Ballyvourney

A FORMER musical director with the Riverdance troupe is coming to Ballyvourney next week.

Niamh Ní Charra, voted the Female Musician of the Year 2014 in the Live Ireland Music Awards, will join Kevin Corbett on guitar at the Ionad Cultúrtha in the village on February 27th.

Ní Charra, from Killarney, has been strongly influenced by the wealth of local Sliabh Luachra musicians, and started playing music at the age of four, under the tutelage of renowned local musician Nicky McAuliffe.

A multiple award winner on both fiddle and concertina, she toured from 1998 to 2006 as a soloist with Riverdance, before returning to Ireland.

Her latest album Cuz, featuring many top class guest musicians, received great critical acclaim including Instrumental Album of the Year in the Chicago Irish American News TIR awards for 2014. Her music features on the programme Ireland in Song on Aer Lingus’ transatlantic flights.

Among her reams of other awards are: Mojo’s Top Ten Folk Albums for 2007 for her debut; Best Trad Music Act 2008 from UK publication The Irish World; Best Fiddle/Violin 2008 from the US-based Irish Music Association; a nomination for Top Solo Performer 2011 in the Irish Music Awards and Female Musician of the Year 2012 in the Live Ireland Music Awards. Along with touring extensively as a solo artist and with her own band, Niamh Ní Charra has also performed and recorded with The Chieftains and Carlos Núñez.

She still performs occasionally with Riverdance, most recently for a tour of China, where she took on the additional role of musical director.

She regularly gives workshops and master classes, on both fiddle and concertina, and has performed for several presidents and members of royalty and has co-ordinated concerts hosted by the Irish embassy, on behalf of the government.

To catch this unique talent in concert, book your tickets at 026 45733 or see ionadculturtha.ie/

Niamh Ní Charra, voted the Female Musician of the Year last year, will join Kevin Corbett on guitar at the Ionad Cultúrtha on February 27th.