Countdown to Masters of Tradition festival

MUSIC lovers are in for their annual treat with the Masters of Tradition festival taking place in Bantry from August 21st to 25th. 

Following on from two hugely popular events in Bantry in recent weeks, the Chamber Music Festival and the Literary Festival, West Cork Music now presents the 17th annual traditional music festival.  

Headline act is its artistic director, Martin Hayes, the renowned fiddler from East Clare. At the opening concert on Wednesday, August 21st at The Maritime Hotel, Martin will be joined by long time collaborator Dennis Cahill, guitarist Steve Cooney, sean nós singer and harpist Síle Denvir, dancer Sandy Silva and writer Timothy O’Grady, for an evening of words and music based on O’Grady’s award-winning novel  I could Read The Sky. Over the five days of the festival there will also be performances and collaborations from national and international musicians as well as secret taking place in venues including Whiddy Bay, Future Forests in Kealkill and at St Brendan’s School Hall. Martin said: ‘This festival couldn’t happen without the dedicated work of Francis Humphrys and the wonderful staff of West Cork Music. Our very special venues add a particular magic and feeling to the performances and are key to the success of the festival. We are very grateful to have access to them. A very special thanks to you, our audience, for your continued support, enthusiasm and trust.’

 For more information and bookings visit www.westcorkmusic.ie, or phone 027 52788.