return to 17th 2015 camden town1. london irish centre 50-52 camden square, london nw1 9xb tel: 020...

Camden TownReturn to 201517th

Magazine

TUESDAY 20TH – MONDAY 26TH OCTOBER 2015CONCERTS, SESSIONS, ALBUM LAUNCHES,

SET DANCING CÉILÍS, WORKSHOPS AND MORE

FESTIVAL OF TRADITIONAL IRISH MUSIC, SONG & DANCE

www.returntocamden.org

FREE

Venues include: Kings Place, RADA, London Irish Centre, Green Note, Fiddler’s Elbow and more...

LEITRIM COMES TO BLOOMSBURY –

RADA SUN 25 OCT

SLIABH LUACHRA TAKES OVER

KINGS PLACE FRI 23 OCT

TRIBUTES: ROGER SHERLOCK

MICHAEL FLAHERTY

PLUS: FULL FESTIVAL PROGRAMME

WELCOME TO THE 17TH RETURN TO CAMDEN TOWN FESTIVALLondon’s new umbrella organisation, IMDL,

enjoyed a grand launch in the beautiful surroundings of the Bloomsbury Theatre earlier

this year. The night featured four great bands rooted in the London Irish tradition, with individual members being key figures of the scene. It is these musicians, alongside more great players, singers and dancers in the capital city who have ownership of the long running Return to Camden Town Festival – participating in festival events, using these key dates as a time to reunite with other practitioners from all corners of this sprawling metropolis, delighting in the opportunity to extend a huge welcome to the many visiting exponents from Ireland and newcomers to the tradition.

Each one of the four bands will feature at concerts during this year’s Festival. CrossHarbour and Artisan Row will play on Thursday 22 October at the legendary Irish music venue, The Fiddler’s Elbow in Kentish Town. Both The London Lasses and Le Chéile will appear in afternoon concerts at the London Irish Centre; The London Lasses on Saturday afternoon alongside Conamara father and son duo: Johnny and Johnny Óg Connolly. The Le Chéile lads will be welcoming back to London, fiddler, TG4 Hall of Fame award recipient and founder member, Danny Meehan to join them as they play on Sunday afternoon alongside concertina/fiddle duo, Caitlín Nic Gabhann and Ciarán Ó Maonaigh.

The Festival kicks off on Tuesday 20th with a Birmingham Irish night featuring Noreen Cullen, Tommy Diegnan, Conor Healy and friends at Time Out’s London venue of the year, The Green Note. Friday 23rd sees RtCT back for the second year at the prestigious concert hall, Kings Place in King’s Cross, with fine Sliabh Luachra music and more from young Killarney band, Seven Glens opening for Breaking Trad (hot on the heels of the release of their debut album). They will be joined by special guest, frontman Gino Lupari on bodhrán and vocals. On the same night, Donegal’s revered traditional singer, Rita Gallagher, will appear at the Musical Traditions Club.

There will be music, song and dance sessions and workshops, concerts, album launches and céilís at different venues over the 7 days of this year’s Festival – with a particularly high concentration of events at the multi-space venue, the London Irish Centre throughout the day and night on Saturday and Sunday. London

CONTENTS

TICKETSTickets to all Festival events can be purchased through links on our website at: www.returntocamden.org

VOLUNTEERS REQUIRED: Would you like to be involved in helping to organise events for Return to Camden Town? Not only do we organisers need hands-on help during this year’s event, but we’ll be needing assistance with future events we are planning under the Return to Camden Town banner, including help with administration, organisation, PR and event management. If you would like to get involved in any way, please email us at: [email protected]

FESTIVAL VENUES

DIRECTOR: KAREN RYANEDITOR: LAURIE HARPERDESIGN: ANTONIA BAILEY PRINTED BY: STUDIO DESIGN AND PRINT LTD [+44 (0)20 8361 2233]

For venue maps see pages 4 and 5.

CLAYTON CROWN HOTEL152 Cricklewood Broadway, London NW2 3ED

KINGS PLACE90 York Way, King’s Cross, London N1 9AG

LONDON IRISH CENTRE 50-52 Camden Square, Camden, London NW1 9XB

THE AULD TRIANGLE52 St Thomas’s Road, London N4 2QW

THE CANONBURY TAVERN21 Canonbury Pl, London N1 2NS

THE COBDEN28-30 Camden High Street, London NW1 0JH

THE FIDDLER’S ELBOW1 Malden Rd, London NW5 3HS

THE GOLDEN LION88 Royal College Street, London NW1 0TH

THE GREEN NOTE106 Parkway, Camden Town, London NW1 7AN

THE HARRISON28 Harrison Street (off Gray’s Inn Road), London WC1H 8JF

THE KING AND QUEEN1 Foley Street, Goodge Street, London W1W 6DL

THE LAMB TAVERN54 Holloway Road, London N7 8JL

THE ROYAL ACADEMY OF DRAMATIC ART (RADA) STUDIO THEATRE16 Chenies St, London WC1E 7EX

WELCOME03 DIRECTOR'S

WELCOME04 MAIN FESTIVAL

VENUES

FEATURES06 LEITRIM COMES

TO BLOOMSBURY09 MICHAEL

FLAHERTY TRIBUTE

10 ROGER SHERLOCK – A TRIBUTE

LISTINGS11 FESTIVAL

LISTINGS18 FULL EVENT

PROGRAMME21 FESTIVAL

LISTINGS

fiddler Claire Egan will launch her much anticipated solo CD ‘Turning Tides’ on Saturday at 5pm, followed by the headline evening concert featuring Donegal supergroup Altan. They will be joined on the bill by versatile instrumental and vocal trio, Cran who will also be playing a Monday afternoon concert at the centre. Further album launches on the Sunday include Limerick/ Birmingham flute player, Patsy Moloney, Caitlín and Ciarán, as well as Eamon Rodgers.

Set dancing over the weekend will be to the music of the popular Abbey Céilí Band from Cork. Sunday night brings the Festival to ‘tread the boards’ for the very first time at the Studio Theatre of the world renowned RADA in Bloomsbury, starting with a screening of ‘The Godfather’ film about Leitrim fiddler and recipient of the TG4 Musician of the Year award, Bryan Rooney. This great event will be followed by an impressive multimedia show led by the Leitrim Equation team (including Eleanor Shanley, Dave Sheridan, Padraig McGovern, John McCartin, Dónal Lunny, Edwina Guckian and Vincent Woods).

Then our Monday afternoon concert at the London Irish Centre returns for the second year running, this time featuring Bryan Rooney and Pete Quinn, Cran and Comhaltas in Britain.

I would like to express our huge gratitude to this year’s funders, sponsors and partners without whom it would be impossible to stage the Festival: Culture Ireland, Emigrant Support Programme, John Griffin, Ardmore Group, London Irish Centre, Kings Place, The Irish World and the Irish Post.

I would like to give unending thanks to my fantastic colleagues on the Festival Organising Group for all their hard work, support and advice year round: Margaret Reilly, Sue Banks, Laurie Harper, Geoff Walker and Bernadette Babayigit, as well as all of our RtCT volunteers who play a huge part in making this all happen.

Have a great Festival!

2 RtCT2015 www.returntocamden.org 3

CONTENTS

1. LONDON IRISH CENTRE50-52 Camden Square, London NW1 9XB Tel: 020 7916 7272

2. THE GOLDEN LION88 Royal College Street, London NW1 0TH Tel: 020 7387 2035

3. THE COBDEN28-30 Camden High Street, London NW1 0JH Tel: 020 7209 2472

CAMDEN ROAD STATION (London Overground)

CAMDEN TOWN STATION (Northern Line)

MORNINGTON CRESCENT STATION (Northern Line)

1

3

2

THE GREEN NOTE106 Parkway London NW1 7AN Tel: 020 7485 9899

RADA STUDIOS16 Chenies St London WC1E 7EX Tel: 020 7307 5061

KINGS PLACE90 York Way London N1 9AG Tel: 020 7520 1490

THE FIDDLER'S ELBOW1 Malden Rd London NW5 3HS

MAIN FESTIVAL VENUES

Please see page 2 for complete list of Festival venues.


VENUES

on the national Irish TV channel: TG4 – Return to Camden Town Festival is proud to present the English language version of the documentary with some additional, previously unseen footage.

The screening will be followed by the London debut of The Leitrim Equation 4, a unique production, combining music, dance and poetry in one carefully crafted show.

The concept of the Leitrim Equation first saw the light of day in 2006, when Leitrim County Council Arts Office, with the support of the Arts Council of Ireland, devised a programme entitled The Leitrim Equation. The far-sighted central premise was to invite noted traditional Irish musicians to spend time in Leitrim. Over the course of a year and a half, they would visit the county for three days every couple of months,

meeting and playing with local musicians and performing in community settings as well as in more conventional venues.

At the end of the residency, a CD would be recorded to document the time spent in the county. The entire process would celebrate music in Leitrim and of Leitrim, contribute to the professional development of musicians and act as a focal point for the development of music in the area.

Lúnasa became the first band in residence. They visited and played at musicians’ sessions in Leitrim, performed for school and

LEITRIM COMES T O BLOOMSBURY By Laurie Harper

and with the support of the Arts Council of Ireland, an exciting multi-media event, devoted to the traditional music of Leitrim.

It will commence with a screening of the documentary film The Godfather, about the life and music of the legendary Leitrim fiddle player, Bryan Rooney. Actor and fiddle player Brendan Gleeson charts the story of Bryan’s life, from the late 1960s, when, at the age of 16, he emigrated to London to find work in construction, to his achieving global recognition within the world of Irish music. The documentary was originally aired

Earlier this year, we held a concert in the iconic Bloomsbury Theatre, featuring four bands, all rooted in the London Irish musical tradition, to launch London’s new umbrella organisation for Irish traditional music, dance and song, Irish Music and Dance in London.

For this year’s Festival, we are delighted to be working with another noted London concert venue, the Studio Theatre at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA).

On Sunday night, the Studio Theatre will host, in association with Leitrim County Council

In recent years, the Return to Camden Town Festival has made a conscious decision to

collaborate with concert venues outside our traditional home at the London Irish Centre. One of our initial partner venues was (and still is) the famous Kings Place, where we hosted two extremely successful concerts during our 16th Festival. This year, Kings Place is hosting our Friday night concert, which focusses on the exciting music of Sliabh Luachra and features Dónal Murphy’s Breaking Trad and the dynamic young group, Seven Glens.

"The concept of the Leitrim Equation first saw the light of day in 2006, when Leitrim County Council Arts Office, with the support of the Arts Council of Ireland, devised a programme entitled The Leitrim Equation."


FEATURE

community groups, worked with musicians and recorded The Leitrim Equation 1. The CD contained many newly composed tunes, which came out of the regular ‘new tunes’ workshops with Lúnasa members Kevin Crawford and Paul Meehan.

The project proved a resounding success and in 2009, Dervish took up the baton. The emphasis of this second residency was very much on the songs of Leitrim. This grew out of a desire by Cathy Jordan to meet and sing with Leitrim singers, with the aim of identifying songs native to the county and bringing them to a new, wider audience.

For The Leitrim Equation 3, three legends of Irish music, Dónal Lunny, John Carty and Séamus Begley were invited to come together, to discover and interpret Leitrim tunes and songs, to play with musicians they met and to share their vast knowledge and experience with the next generation of Leitrim musicians. During their time in the county, they would develop a new sound for themselves, born in Leitrim.

This fourth Leitrim Equation group features Leitrim musicians Eleanor Shanley, Padraig McGovern, Dave Sheridan and John McCartin, who have been joined for this production by musical director Dónal Lunny, poet and playwright Vincent Woods and Sean Nós dancer Edwina Guckian.

In addition to visiting and performing in Leitrim, meeting local musicians and linking up with community and school groups, the group has taken part in a performance programme based on the music of Leitrim, with and for musicians from all over the county. In tandem with this, industry specialists Leading

Edge have run a wide ranging professional development and mentoring programme.

As a result, a number of younger Leitrim musicians have become members of Brí, an exciting new group drawn from across the county, which has been brought together under the guidance of Dave Sheridan and Padraig McGovern. Working closely with Dave and Padraig, Brí have been honing their music and stage skills, uncovering some hidden gems of Leitrim music and venturing into composing new works to add to Leitrim’s rich heritage.

The show is the culmination of the group’s residency in Leitrim over the last eighteen months. Together with Musical Director Dónal Lunny, they will present beautiful arrangements of the music, some of which has not been played for over 100 years. The cast is completed by Leitrim poet, playwright and broadcaster, Vincent Woods and Sean Nós dancer, Edwina Guckian. The show also incorporates film produced by Johnny Gogan of Bandit Films.

A marvellous evening is guaranteed and we strongly advise booking in advance.

The artists are:Eleanor Shanley – Vocals. One of Ireland’s foremost singers. She has seven solo albums to her credit and has been a member of seminal group De Danann. She was awarded the 2015 Danish Folk Award at the Skagen Festival.

Padraig McGovern – Uilleann Pipes, Tin Whistle. Padraig’s recent multidisciplinary project The Pipes, enjoyed critical acclaim internationally. He was taught uilleann pipes by master piper P.J. Flood and developed his music as a member of the Ceolas Céili Band. He teaches and performs extensively and recently released a new CD, Forgotten Gems, with accordion and banjo player Peter Carberry.

Dave Sheridan – Flute, Keyboards. A multi-instrumentalist, Dave has recorded two acclaimed albums, Sheridan’s Guesthouse and Drivin' Leitrim Timber and has recorded with many bands of note, including De Danann and Téada.

John McCartin – Guitar. A guitar and fiddle player, in 2008, John received a MA in Traditional Music Performance from the Irish World Academy of Music and Dance at the University of Limerick. John’s proficiency with guitar accompaniment has seen him play with many noted bands, including Lúnasa and Dervish.

Vincent Woods – Playwright. Vincent’s plays include At the Black Pig’s Dyke (Druid Theatre Company, 1992); Song of the Yellow Bittern (Druid Theatre Company, 1994); and A Cry from Heaven (Abbey Theatre, 2005); and for radio, The Leitrim Hotel, The Gospels of Aughamore and Broken Moon. His poetry is collected as The Colour of Language (The

Dedalus Press, 1994): and Lives and Miracles (Arlen House, 2006). Awards include The Stewart Parker Award for Drama and The Ted McNulty award for poetry. He currently presents ‘Arts Tonight’ on RTÉ Radio 1. He is a member of Aosdána.

Edwina Guckian – Sean Nós dancer. From Drumsna, Edwina learned her dancing from her mother and the local dancers of Leitrim and Roscommon. A fine musician, she plays the fiddle and tin whistle and has performed with De Danann, Dervish, Cherish the Ladies, Beoga, Téada, Martin Hayes, Séamus Begley and Mairtín O Connor. She is a noted teacher of dance and was choreographer for Ken Loach’s 2014 film, Jimmy’s Hall.

They are supported by:Dónal Lunny – Musical Director. A guitar and bouzouki player,

composer and producer who has been a leading light in the evolution of Irish Traditional Music for more than 35 years. Since the 1970s, Dónal has founded legendary Irish bands Planxty, The Bothy Band, Moving Hearts, Coolfin and recently Mozaik. He is a sought after producer and has produced albums for Kate Bush, Baaba Maal, Paul Brady, Elvis Costello, Mark Knopfler, Rod Stewart, Fairground Attraction, Indigo Girls and Clannad.

Paul Keogan – Designer. Paul’s credits for lighting design include over 30 productions at the Abbey Theatre including Heartbreak House, Julius Caesar and The Cherry Orchard. Other design credits include; Afterplay (Crucible Theatre, Sheffield); Harvest (Royal Court Theatre, London) and Blue/Orange (Crucible Theatre, Sheffield and UK Tour). Paul devised and

directed Man of Aran, Re-imagined with Liam O Maonlaí and Mel Mercier in 2010 and co-wrote the libretto for Quicksilver the Opera.

Johnny Gogan – Film Production. Writer-director of fifteen short films, documentaries and fictions, including the award-winning feature films The Last Bus Home and Mapmaker. His third feature film, Black Ice, with Jane McGrath and Killian Scott, was released in 2013.

‘An Godfather’ screening: Sun 25 Oct, 5pm (£5)‘Leitrim Equation 4’ concert: Sun 25 Oct, 7.30pm (£15/ £13 saver)

Both events will be held at the Studio Theatre, Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA), 16 Chenies St, London WC1E 7PARADA Box Office: +44(0)207 908 4800

MICHAEL FLAHERTY TRIBUTE

Sadly, Michael Flaherty a great friend and supporter

of The Festival passed away on 8th August 2015. His daughter Jacqui Burdis wrote this lovely tribute for the Magazine.

Michael was a true Irishman, who was deeply proud of his culture and heritage. He was born in Galway of Connemara parents and brought up speaking Gaelic. He had a deep love of traditional Irish music and

was a self-taught accordionist. Along with his love of music, he had a deep passion for the traditional style of Set Dancing. This originated from the house dances held in homes in Ireland and along with his wife Bridie, this style of Set Dancing became a true passion and a major part of their lives.

They shared their dancing skills through holding their own classes and gained many pupils

who not only became dancing enthusiasts and followers of this traditional dancing style but also became good friends. Anyone who met Michael will remember he was a kind and gentle man with great patience and he took every opportunity to give encouragement to anyone who showed an interest in Set Dancing.

Michael and his wife Bridie were totally committed to help keep this style of traditional dancing alive and this was especially evident when you watched them dance together.

Throughout the music and dancing circles, Michael will be deeply missed but through his teaching, his legacy will live on.

"The show is the culmination of the group’s residency in Leitrim over the last eighteen months. Together with Musical Director Dónal Lunny, they will present beautiful arrangements of the music, some of which has not been played for over 100 years. "


FEATURE

RETURN TO CAMDEN TOWN PROGRAMME LISTINGS

ROGER SHERLOCK – A TRIBUTEBy Laurie Harper

18 th June 2015 was a sad day for the Irish music

world. The great flute player, teacher and gentleman, Roger Sherlock, passed away at the nursing home in Bettystown, Co. Meath, where he had lived for the final months of his life.

Roger was a true giant of Irish music. He is rightly credited with having transformed Irish flute playing, developing it from the style of the 1930s and 40s and laying the foundations for the great players of the modern era. Musicians such as Matt Molloy, Séamus Tansey, Josie McDermott and Catherine McEvoy and those who have followed after all owe him an enormous debt.

Roger was born in 1932 in Cloonfeightrin, Co. Mayo. He grew up surrounded by music: his grandfather played flute and whistle, his father sang and his mother played melodeon. The region where he spent his childhood, on the borders of Mayo and Sligo, was noted for traditional music. Roger attended the same

school as fiddler and composer Brendan Tonra, who emigrated to Boston, whilst flute player Kevin Henry, who moved to Chicago, grew up only two miles away. Although all these musicians were born on the Mayo side of the border, the region’s close proximity to south Sligo and its famous fiddle tradition meant they learned from and became associated with that style of playing.

Roger himself emigrated in 1952. He settled in London, where the first musician he encountered was West Limerick flute player Paddy Taylor. During the mid-1950s, he shared a flat and played music with the great Clare piper, Willie Clancy. London in the 1950s, 60s and 70s played host to some of the great Irish musicians of the day and Roger played with and numbered among his friends many whose names are now legendary; players of the stature of Michael Gorman, Margaret Barry, Bobby Casey, Jimmy Power, Willie Clancy, Lucy Farr, Julia Clifford, Paddy Taylor, Raymond Roland, John Bowe, Danny Meehan, Vincent Griffin, Séan McGuire, Liam Farrell and Brendan McGlinchey.

Roger was recorded for Raidió Éireannn's Job of Journeywork and played with céilí bands in London’s Irish dance halls, including the Dunloe, the Hibernian and, most famous of all, the mighty Thatch Céilí Band, which won consecutive All-Ireland titles in 1986 and 1987. He was also a stalwart of many of the famous pub sessions of the

time, including the legendary White Hart session at Fulham Broadway.

His classic recording, Memories Of Sligo, was released in 1978. He also recorded with Kit O’Connor, Séan McGuire and Josephine Keegan and was featured, playing with Bobby Casey and John Bowe, in the five part BBC documentary series, Bringing It All Back Home, which aired in 1991.

Bringing It All Back Home, which traced the Irish cultural and population migrations across the world and their influence on popular and traditional music, was originally accompanied by a double CD. In 1999, Donal Lunny took the material, added some newly recorded and previously unissued performances and reissued it as a three CD set. Sadly, it is now out of print.

Roger was also the subject of one of TG4’s Sé mo Laoch documentaries about Irish musicians of note. He and his wife Mona returned to Ireland in 1996 to live in Bettystown, Co. Meath and in 2009, he was made a member of the prestigious TG4 Hall of Fame.

Rest in peace, Roger and thank you.

Above: Roger Sherlock on flute; below: Thatch Céilí Band. Photos courtesy of John Bowe.

FEATURE

www.returntocamden.org 1110 RtCT2015

TUESDAY 20TH OCTOBEROPENING CONCERT – A TASTE OF BIRMINGHAM IRISHPlease note that all advertised times are door opening times. The performance at The Green Note will start at 8.30pm. Performances at all other concert venues will start 30 minutes after doors open.

• NOREEN CULLEN, TOMMY DIEGNAN AND ADRIAN BURNS• CONOR HEALY, COLM MCGONIGLE AND HANNAH DONELON

7.30 pm • The Green Note • £10 in advance(booking strongly advised – a compact venue) Tickets available through links at www.returntocamden.org

Some of our friends from the vibrant Birmingham Irish music scene kick off the 2015 Return to Camden Town Festival in fine style.

Fiddler Noreen Cullen genuinely sounds like nobody else. Her Irish playing is obviously influenced by the great Séan McGuire, but her repertoire also encompasses jazz and swing, gypsy, country music and blues. She has played since the age of eight, learning the fiddle from the many traditional musicians in Birmingham, including her father, Jack Cullen. She won several all-Ireland titles whilst still at school and moved to London in the early 1980s to join London-Irish band Stirabout. She has since performed in both Riverdance and Lord of the Dance and is regularly in demand as a session player for both recordings and live performance.

Her partner, Adrian Burns, a singer/guitarist and songwriter, grew up playing traditional Irish music on flute, bouzouki and guitar. He and Noreen met in 1985 and have worked together ever since, performing on BBC1, Channel 4, RTE, BBC London Radio, at Sydney Opera House with the Australian Philharmonic Orchestra, with the Royal Shakespeare Company and the Irish Folk-Ballet Company.

They have recently teamed up with the fine Birmingham-based accordion player Tommy Diegnan, who has played button accordion since he was a boy.

Originally from Birmingham, flute player Conor Healy is now based in London. He is co-founder and director of the Trip to Birmingham Tradfest, the great annual Midlands Irish music festival, which takes

place in late November. Conor met Belfast-born concertina and harp player Colm McGonigle whilst living in Cambridge. They have since performed together at concerts and festivals in the UK, Ireland and Europe.

Singer Hannah Donelon has performed extensively throughout the UK and Ireland, both as a solo artist and in bands. She is a member of Manchester band, Shake The Barley and London-based Southfleet.

SESSION9pm • The Lamb Tavern – Free• Mick O’Connor, Goretti Anglim and Mick Bailey

Noreen Cullen and Adrian Burns Tommy Diegnan Conor Healy Colm McGonigle Hannah Donelon

THURSDAY 22ND OCTOBEREVENING CONCERT• CROSSHARBOUR• ARTISAN ROW7.30pm • The Fiddlers Elbow • £10 in advance

CROSSHARBOURCrossHarbour is a dynamic young band from London’s thriving Irish music scene. Fusing well-loved traditional tunes and songs with original compositions and innovative

arrangements, CrossHarbour are gaining recognition for their highly virtuosic, energetic and polished performances. The band features the remarkable abilities of winner of no less than 19 All-Ireland titles, flute and whistle

virtuoso and composer Órlaith McAuliffe, fiddler Sam Proctor, whose 2008 debut solo album, Natural Progression, was chosen by the Irish Times as one of the traditional albums of the year, multi-instrumentalist Philippe Barnes, London session musician and teacher Tad Sargent on bodhrán and bouzouki and singer Rosie Hodgson, who was a finalist in the 2013 BBC Radio 2 Young Folk Awards. For further information, see: crossharbourmusic.com/about/meet-the-band

ARTISAN ROWArtisan Row, London’s newest Irish band, brings together four well-known figures from London's traditional Irish and folk music scene – Elma McElligott, Karen Ryan, Conor Doherty and Pete Quinn. The quartet explores a wide range of traditional tunes and songs – from effervescent reels and Bulgarian horos to quietly dramatic hornpipes and haunting ballads – setting the

music in striking and original ways.

Elma McElligott, saxophone and flute, is from Listowel, Co. Kerry. A graduate of University College, Cork, where she studied music under Mícheál Ó Súilleabháin and Mel Mercier, she has performed with The London Lasses for the past six years. Karen Ryan, banjo, mandola, fiddle and whistle, is a founder member of The London Lasses, with whom she has recorded

five albums and performed throughout the UK, Ireland and the US. She is also Director of the Return to Camden Town festival.

Guitarist and singer Conor Doherty, from Derry City, plays traditional and contemporary songs from England, Ireland, Scotland and America. He has performed extensively throughout the UK and Ireland. Liverpool-born pianist Pete Quinn's performing experience extends from John Cage at the Barbican through jazz fusion at Ronnie Scott’s to traditional Irish music at the BBC Proms. Formerly with The London Lasses, he has performed with some of the greats of traditional Irish music and has appeared on numerous recordings.

LISTINGS


FRIDAY 23RD OCTOBEREVENING CONCERTPlease note that all advertised times are door opening times. Performances will start 30 minutes after doors open.

• BREAKING TRAD• SEVEN GLENS7.30pm • Kings Place ¤ £15.50/£9.50 advance, £13.50 savers (booking strongly advised) Tickets available through links at www.returntocamden.org

If you love the wonderful, high energy traditional music of Sliabh Luachra, on the borders of Cork, Kerry and Limerick, this concert is for you.

BREAKING TRADBreaking Trad is made up of Dónal Murphy (accordion) from Abbeyfeale, West Limerick, a winner of numerous All-Ireland titles on both button accordion and

melodeon, Niall Murphy (fiddle) from Camlough, South Armagh, a winner of multiple awards including the All-Ireland Senior Fiddle competition, Fiddler of Dooney and Fiddler of Oriel, together with multi-instrumentalist Mike Galvin, who has vast experience working in a wide range of musical styles from rock to traditional.

Between them, they have toured extensively, performing at major festivals and music venues and touring with some of the biggest names in several different musical genres, including Four Men and a Dog, Cara Dillon, De Dannan, Dance star Michael Flatley, Bluegrass guitarist/singer Dan Tyminski (Alison Krauss and Union Station), Country legend Randy Travis and many more. Their music

has been described as 'dazzling', 'unorthodox and unique', and 'high octane'. This powerhouse band is reviving traditional music with a fresh and modern twist and has recently released its eponymous debut CD.

Special guest with the band tonight is Gino Lupari, aka 'king of the bodhrán' and frontman with the much loved 1980s band, Four Men and a Dog. As a percussionist and vocalist he has recorded and performed with Sinéad Ó’Connor, Shane McGowan and the Popes and has appeared in the BBC drama The Passion. Gino is a man of enormous charisma; if he wasn’t such a fine musician, he’d undoubtedly be a comedian.

SEVEN GLENSSeven Glens, an impressive and versatile band of young musicians from Sliabh Luachra, are guitarist Cathal Flood, vocalist and musician Bríd O’Shea, dancer, musician and vocalist Ciara O’Shea, along with Niamh Dalton on concertina and whistle, Michael Kelliher

on melodeon, accordion and harmonica and Seán Kelliher on mandolin, banjo and harmonica. The band brings many influences to its music, especially from the Sliabh Luachra tradition, combining them with a wide and varied repertoire to create a modern, lively and unique sound.

SESSION9pm • Ben Gunnery, Liam O’Barr, Brian Kelly, Chris O’Malley • The Canonbury Tavern

Sponsored by:

LISTINGS


RITA GALLAGHERRita Gallagher, from Ballymacahill, Frosses in Co. Donegal, is regarded as one of the finest female

OUR WORKSHOP LEADERSMost of those who are leading and teaching our instrumental workshops are performing at this year’s Festival. Information about them can be found under entries for their performances. Those who are not featured elsewhere in this magazine are:

traditional Irish singers. A three-time winner of the Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann All-Ireland title for female singing in English she regularly participates in festivals, workshops and singing events throughout the country. Rita comes from a family of traditional singers. She credits the great Paddy Tunney as one of her most significant influences. Her beautifully rich voice, eloquent

PÁDRAIG MCGOVERNUilleann pipes master Padraig McGovern, from Ballymagovern, in the Cavan-Leitrim border area, was taught the great P.J. Flood from Belturbet, Co. Cavan and heavily influenced by accordionist Vincent Tighe. His family were all involved with the Cornafean Céilí group and Padraig developed his music as a member of the Ceolas Céili Band and played with many fine Leitrim musicians. He is a widely respected teacher and performer and has taught for many years at the Joe Mooney Summer School,

ornamentation, restrained delivery and evident love of the songs make her a compelling and much admired performer. Her double CD, The May Morning Dew, will be available on the night.

For advance tickets, send cheque with SAE, made out to E.P. Webb, to 52 Cecile Park London N8 9AS.

Scoil Éigse, Ag Seinm and more recently at the Irish Music School of Chicago and the Dublin-Ohio festival in Jackson, MS.

TERRY O’DONNELLA long time stalwart of the Festival and of the London Irish set dancing scene, Terry is a very experienced teacher and dancer. His relaxed style and extensive knowledge make him the ideal person to present our workshop for set dancers of all levels and experience.

CONCERT AT MUSICAL TRADITIONS CLUB• RITA GALLAGHER8pm • The King & Queen • Advanced booking with reserved seat £10*/ On the door £8/concessions £6 (Members £7/concessions £5) – see: www.mustradclub.co.uk

SESSIONS• 8.30pm • The Auld Triangle – Free • Gary Connolly, James (flute) Carty, James (fiddle) Carty, Maggie Carty

• 9pm • The Clayton Crown Hotel – Free • Mick O’Connor, Eugene Teevan and Mick Bailey

FESTIVAL CLUB AT THE COBDEN› 12am until late • Session musicians welcome • Free

SATURDAY 24TH OCTOBERWORKSHOPS, SESSIONS, MATINÉE SET DANCING CÉILÍ AND AFTERNOON CONCERTPlease note that instrumental workshops are aimed at intermediate to advanced level players. Beginners may purchase tickets to attend as observers. Please arrive 30 minutes before start time to allow for registration.

WORKSHOPSSEAN NÓS DANCING WORKSHOP WITH EDWINA GUCKIAN10.00am–12pm • London Irish Centre • £8UILLEANN PIPES WORKSHOP WITH PÁDRAIG MCGOVERN11am–1pm • London Irish Centre • £10FLUTE WORKSHOP WITH DESI WILKINSON11am–1pm • London Irish Centre • £10BANJO WORKSHOP WITH JONAS FROMSEIER11am–1pm • London Irish Centre • £10ACCORDION WORKSHOP WITH JOHNNY ÓG CONNOLLY11am–1pm • London Irish Centre • £10SINGING WORKSHOP WITH ELEANOR SHANLEY2–4pm • London Irish Centre • £10

SEÁNA DAVEYSeána plays the Irish and Concert Harp. She studied with the Royal Irish Academy of Music and graduated in Music and Irish from the National University of Ireland. From a musical family, she is also an accomplished Irish dancer. Now based in London, she plays the harp professionally and has performed throughout Europe, Asia, North America and Australia. She has recorded two albums to date, the second of which will be released at the end of this year.

Beckett Homes wishes all the best to the

17th Return to Camden Town Festival – here's to another successful year

LISTINGS


FULL EVENT PROGRAMMEALL MUSIC AND SONG EVENTS FOR UNDER 18S: £6All children free at dance events when accompanied by a paying adultFestival tickets available from: www.returntocamden.orgPlease arrive at 10.30am for instrumental and singing workshops to allow time for registrationAdvertised concert times are doors open time, onstage time is half an hour later.Album launch on stage times are approximately the same as door open times.

KEY: London Irish Centre • Mac: McNamara Hall • Pres: Presidential Suite • Hub: Bar/Chapel is upstairs • Kennedy: Kennedy Hall is on the ground floor on the other side of the building from the main entrance – please access via Murray Mews

TUESDAY 20 OCTOBER 2015

7.30pm Evening Concert A Taste of Birmingham Irish – Noreen Cullen, Tommy Diegnan and Adrian Burns/ Conor Healy, Colm McGonigle and Hannah Donelon

Green Note £10 adv.

9pm Session Mick O’Connor, Goretti Anglim, Mick Bailey The Lamb Tavern Free

THURSDAY 22 OCTOBER 2015

7.30pm Evening Concert CrossHarbour/ Artisan Row Fiddler’s Elbow £10 adv.

8.30pm Session Ben Gunnery, Liam O’Barr, Brian Kelly, Chris O’Malley

The Canonbury Tavern Free

FRIDAY 23 OCTOBER 2015

7.30pm Evening Concert Breaking Trad/ Seven Glens Kings Place £15.50/£9.50-£13.50 savers

8pm Evening Concert Rita Gallagher Musical Traditions Club – King and Queen

£8, concs. £6 (Members £7, concs £5)

8.30pm Session Gary Connolly, James (flute) Carty, James (fiddle) Carty, Maggie Carty

The Auld Triangle Free

9pm Session Mick O’Connor, Eugene Teevan, Mick Bailey Clayton Crown Hotel Free

12am Festival Club Session musicians welcome The Cobden Free

SATURDAY 24 OCTOBER 2015

10am – 12pm

Sean Nós Dancing Workshop

Edwina Guckian London Irish Centre (Mac) £8

11am-1pm Accordion Workshop

Johnny Óg Connolly London Irish Centre £10

11am-1pm Banjo Workshop Jonas Fromseier London Irish Centre £10

11am-1pm Uilleann Pipes Workshop

Pádraig McGovern London Irish Centre £10

11am-1pm Flute Workshop Desi Wilkinson London Irish Centre £10

1pm Session Alan O’Leary, Maggie Carty, Martin Fahy London Irish Centre (Hub)

Free

1-4pm Matinee Set Dancing Céilí

Abbey Céilí Band London Irish Centre (Mac) £10

2-4pm Singing Workshop Eleanor Shanley London Irish Centre £10

2pm Afternoon Concert Johnny and Johnny Óg Connolly/ The London Lasses and Chris O’Malley

London Irish Centre (Pres) £10

4pm Session John Bowe, Padraig McGovern, Noel Whelton London Irish Centre (Hub)

Free

4pm Session Conal Cuttle, Alex Kelly, Anthony McGrath The Cobden Free

5pm Album and DVD Launch

Claire Egan/ Edwina Guckian London Irish Centre (Kennedy)

Free

5pm Singing Session Hosted by Pat Connolly and Rita Gallagher London Irish Centre (Chapel)

Free

7.30pm Evening Concert Altan/ Cran London Irish Centre (Mac) £15 adv. / £17 on door/ £6 under 18s

8pm Session Patsy Moloney, Johnny Óg Connolly, James (fiddle) Carty

London Irish Centre (Hub)

Free


SUNDAY 25 OCTOBER 2015

10am–12pm

Steps for Set Dancing Workshop

Terry O’Donnell London Irish Centre (Mac) £8

11am-1pm Whistle Workshop Ronan Browne London Irish Centre £10

11am-1pm Fiddle Workshop Ciarán Ó Maonaigh London Irish Centre £10

11am-1pm Harp Workshop Seána Davey London Irish Centre £10

12-2pm Concertina Workshop

Caitlín Nic Gabhann London Irish Centre £10

1pm Session Mick Mulvey, Johnny Connolly, Pete Quinn London Irish Centre (Hub)

Free

1-4pm Matinée Set Dancing Céilí

Abbey Céilí Band London Irish Centre (Mac) £10

2pm Afternoon Concert Danny Meehan and Le Chéile/ Caitlín Nic Gabhann and Ciarán Ó Maonaigh


4pm Session Tom O’Connell, Sinéad Munroe, Peter McAlinden

London Irish Centre (Hub)

Free

5pm Documentary Screening

‘The Godfather’ – Bryan Rooney The Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) – Studio Theatre

£5

5pm Album Launch Patsy Moloney/ Caitlín Nic Gabhann and Ciarán Ó Maonaigh

London Irish Centre (Kennedy)

Free

5pm Singing Session Hosted by Pat Connolly and Seán Corcoran London Irish Centre (Chapel)

Free

5pm Session Sam Proctor, Philippe Barnes, Tad Sargent The Golden Lion Free

7pm Album Launch Eamon Rodgers London Irish Centre (Mac) Free

7.30pm Evening Performance

Leitrim Equation 4 (featuring Eleanor Shanley, Padraig McGovern, Dave Sheridan, John McCartin, Dónal Lunny, Edwina Guckian and Vincent Woods)

The Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) – Studio Theatre

£15/ £13 saver

7.30pm Session Desi Wilksinson, Ronan Browne, Seán Corcoran London Irish Centre (Hub)

Free

8pm Session Bryony Lemon, Colm McGonigle, Nigel Stevens The Harrison Free


MONDAY 26 OCTOBER 2015

2pm Concert in Association with Irish Elderly Advice Network

Cran/ Bryan Rooney and Pete Quinn/Comhaltas in Britain


LISTINGS


SATURDAY 24TH OCTOBER

ABBEY CÉILĺ BANDMaking a welcome return to the Festival is Cork’s dynamic Abbey Ceili Band. Founded in 1995, the band started out with just two musicians, accordionist Ger Murphy and keyboard player Micheál Creedon. They played on Thursday

nights for a weekly set dancing session in the Abbey Hotel, in Ballyvourney, Co. Cork, which was (and is) owned by Micheál’s family.

After a few months, Liam Forde sat in on banjo, impressing Ger and Micheál so much that they invited him to join the band. Andrew O'Connell visited the session with his fiddle a short while later and was asked to complete the foursome.

Multi-instrumentalist John Coakley, from Bantry in County Cork is now the permanent pianist in the band – we are delighted to

welcome John back to Camden Town after he spent so many years living and playing in London.

They quickly established a reputation in the area for their solid playing and strong arrangements.

Travelling further afield, they cemented their reputation with the set dancing world when they played at the Dan Furey weekend in Labasheeda and the summer schools in Miltown Malbay. Nowadays, they play all over Ireland and Europe and have appeared several times on RTÉ's Céilí House.

MATINÉE SET DANCING CÉILĺ• THE ABBEY CÉILĺ BAND1pm • London Irish Centre • £10 (children free at dance events, but must be accompanied by an adult)

SESSIONS1pm • London Irish Centre • Free • Alan O’Leary, Maggie Carty, Martin Fahy4pm • The Cobden • Free • Conal Cuttle, Alex Kelly, Anthony McGrath4pm • London Irish Centre • Free • John Bowe, Padraig McGovern, Noel Whelton5pm • London Irish Centre • Free • Singing Session with Pat Connolly and Rita Gallagher8pm • London Irish Centre • Free • Patsy Moloney, Johnny Óg Connolly, James (fiddle) Carty

Kerryman of the Year 2014

THE IRISH FILM FESTIVAL LONDON, screening the latest and greatest Irish Films and Animations, runs 18–22 November at Tricycle, Regent Street and Rio Cinemas. We are opening with a screening of ‘WB Yeats: No Country For Old Men’ at Regent Street Cinema on Weds 18 November at 7.30pm. Accompanied by a Q&A with special guests hosted by Ambassador Dan Mulhall. Tickets available through their website: www.regentstreetcinema.comOur website is: www.irishfilmlondon.com

LISTINGS


JOHNNY CONNOLLY AND JOHNNY ÓG CONNOLLYWe present a rare treat for lovers of fine accordion and melodeon playing, as father and son, Johnny Connolly and Johnny Óg Connolly, from Conamara, pay their first visit to the Festival.

Johnny Connolly is an acknowledged master and arguably the greatest ever player of the Irish melodeon. From Inis Bearacháin, he began playing

when his parents left the children at home to watch currach racing and his sister Nain showed him where they kept their melodeon locked up. He emigrated to England at the age of 17, and did not play whilst he lived here. On his return to Connemara in 1976, he took up the two-row accordion, a much more popular instrument at the time, but always hankered after the old style of playing on the one-row. He felt that he could achieve a better rhythm on the instrument, despite its limitations and began playing it again after an injury at work in 1990 left him with time on his hands. He travels relatively infrequently outside Ireland, so this is a rare opportunity to see him perform.

His son, Johnny Óg, began playing the accordion at the age of nine, learning from Johnny and from Micheál Ó Coistealbha, winning his first All-Ireland title just two years later. A prodigy, he joined Na h-Ancairí, fronted by the legendary Conamara singer, John Beag Ó

Flatharta, at the age of fourteen, spending eight years with the band and touring in England and America. In 1990, he made the first traditional album released by Cló Iar-Chonnacht, The Bees' Wing. In 1994, he joined the Sean Keane Band and performed widely with them in Europe and North America.

In 1998 he recorded the acclaimed Dreaming up the Tunes, an album of banjo and accordion duets with Brian McGrath and in the same year toured with Michael Flatley's Lord of the Dance in Europe and the Middle and Far East. In 2003 he settled permanently in Conamara, and recorded a second duet album with Charlie Lennon, Dusk Till Dawn, in 2005. He is a prolific composer; his most recent recording, Aisling Yoshua (Joshua's Dream), featuring five new compositions, was released in April 2011 and was voted Best Traditional Album in the 2011 Irish Times Ticket Awards.

AFTERNOON CONCERT• JOHNNY CONNOLLY AND JOHNNY ÓG CONNOLLY• THE LONDON LASSES AND CHRIS O’MALLEY2.00pm • London Irish Centre • £10. All music events for under-18s: £6

EDWINA GUCKIANSean Nós dancer Edwina Guckian, from Drumsna in Co. Leitrim, learned her dancing from her mother and the local dancers of Leitrim and Roscommon. Her style is greatly influenced by the music she grew up listening to. A fine musician, she plays the fiddle and tin whistle and graduated from St. Patrick’s College, Drumcondra, with a degree in Music, English and Education.

Edwina, who is performing with the Leitrim Equation at our Sunday evening concert at the RADA Studio Theatre, launches her DVD

of Sean Nós Dance tutorials and performances. The DVD features 12 of Edwina’s Leitrim Sean Nós reel steps, broken down and explained simply and clearly to suit dancers of all levels and skills. It also features performances from across Leitrim, with guest appearances from Sean Nós ar an tSionann and live music from some of the finest Leitrim musicians.

traditional music and is recognised for her unique interpretation of the tunes and fine musicianship. She has an impeccable technique and an innate understanding of the expressive quality within the music. She is accompanied on the album by her sister Sinead on guitar (who will perform with her today), Jack Talty on piano and De Danann’s Mick Conneely on bouzouki.

"Her sweet tone, assured pace and skilful ingenuity allows Claire to delve into nooks, crannies and corners of tunes, effortlessly making them her own." John Carty

THE LONDON LASSES AND CHRIS O’MALLEYOver the past fifteen years The London Lasses have taken their music to some of the world’s most prestigious festivals and concert halls, including Cambridge Folk Festival, the Concertgebouw (Amsterdam), Glastonbury,

Dublin City Hall, Philadelphia Irish Festival and the Royal Albert Hall, where they performed the first ever BBC Proms céilí as part of the 2008 season and supported The Chieftains on their 50th Anniversary tour. They were featured on the Ultimate Guide to Irish Folk double CD, released

by ARC Music in February 2014.

This internationally renowned band delivers a wealth of traditional material from all over Ireland, including songs in Irish and English, plus the full gamut of Irish dance tunes, from the ancient to the newly composed. The London Lasses celebrated their tenth anniversary in 2010 with the release of their fourth album By Night and By Day and earlier this year, they released their 5th album, The One I Loved the Best, with Leeds pianist/guitarist, Chris O’Malley.

“One of the best bands on the scene today.” Irish Music Magazine

ALBUM AND DVD LAUNCH• EDWINA GUCKIAN• CLAIRE EGAN5.00pm • London Irish Centre • Free

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CLAIRE EGANLondon-born fiddle player Claire Egan launches her debut album, Turning Tides. From a musical family, Claire grew up immersed in

LISTINGS


SATURDAY 24TH OCTOBEREVENING CONCERT• ALTAN• CRAN7.30pm • London Irish Centre • £15 advance, £17 on door, £6 under 18s

ALTANOne of the truly seminal bands in Irish music today, Altan started out in the early 1980s as a duo of Belfast flute-player, Frankie Kennedy and Gaoth Dobhair singer and fiddler, Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh. They specialized in performing old Donegal fiddle music (then little known outside Donegal) and unusual Northern flute tunes and rapidly became known for the style, power and inventiveness of their playing.

The band has evolved over the years, in particular developing its trademark twin fiddle sound. Presently playing fiddle opposite Mairéad is the great Donegal fiddler, Ciaran Tourish. The band has recently been joined by Ciaran’s cousin, Martin, on

piano accordion. Martin is also a composer of note and was the recipient of the 2008 TG4 ‘Young Musician of the Year’ award.

Altan was signed to Virgin Records in 1996, the first Irish band of its kind to sign with a major label. They have since gone on to gain gold and platinum albums and have appeared throughout the world. Their latest album, The Widening Gyre, was recorded in Nashville and is a collaboration with friends and guests to explore the influence of Appalachian music on Irish music. It features, among others, Alison Brown, Sam Bush, Jerry Douglas, Bruce Molsky, Todd Phillips, Bryan Sutton, Darol Anger, Tim O’Brien, Eddi Reader and Mary Chapin Carpenter.

CRANCran are Ronan Browne, uilleann pipes, flute and vocals, Desi Wilkinson, flute and vocals and Séan Corcoran, bouzouki and vocals. The band's performances combine musical virtuosity with songs, humour, banter and stories. They combine dance music, haunting slow airs on flute and pipes and songs, ranging from the highly-ornamented sean-nós of Conamara to the port a'bhéil or mouth music of Donegal. Their repertoire includes songs in Irish and English, covering the entire gamut from the old story-telling "long ballads" to lively comic songs of "pure divilment and rascality".

This concert is virtually certain to sell out and we strongly advise booking in advance.


LISTINGS


SUNDAY 25TH OCTOBERWORKSHOPS, SESSIONS, AFTERNOON CONCERT, MATINÉE SET DANCING CÉILÍ AND ALBUM LAUNCHESPlease note that instrumental workshops are aimed at intermediate to advanced level players. Beginners may purchase tickets to attend as observers. Please arrive 30 minutes before start time to allow for registration.

WORKSHOPSSTEPS FOR SET DANCING WORKSHOP WITH TERRY O’DONNELL10am–12pm • London Irish Centre • £8WHISTLE WORKSHOP WITH RONAN BROWNE11am–1pm • London Irish Centre • £10FIDDLE WORKSHOP WITH CIARÁN Ó MAONAIGH11am–1pm • London Irish Centre • £10HARP WORKSHOP WITH SEÁNA DAVEY11am–1pm • London Irish Centre • £10CONCERTINA WORKSHOP WITH CAITLÍN NIC GABHANN12pm–2pm • London Irish Centre • £10

SESSIONS1pm • London Irish Centre – Free • Mick Mulvey, Johnny Connolly, Pete Quinn4pm • London Irish Centre – Free • Tom O’Connell, Sinéad Munroe, Peter McAlinden5pm • London Irish Centre – Free • Singing session with Pat Connolly and Seán Corcoran7.30pm • London Irish Centre – Free • Desi Wilksinson, Ronan Browne, Seán Corcoran8pm • The Harrison – Free • Bryony Lemon, Colm McGonigle, Nigel Stevens


MATINÉE SET DANCING CÉILÍ• THE ABBEY CÉILĺ BAND1–4pm • London Irish Centre • £10 (children free at dance events, but must be accompanied by an adult)

AFTERNOON CONCERT• DANNY MEEHAN AND LE CHÉILE• CAITLÍN NIC GABHANN AND CIARÁN Ó MAONAIGH2pm • London Irish Centre • £10

LE CHÉILE Le Chéile was formed in the early 1970s by musicians who played regularly in the famous sessions at The White Hart, on Fulham Broadway. The 1960s

and ‘70s were golden years for traditional Irish music in London, when musicians played to packed houses and sparked the revival which went on to spread back home and around the globe.

Le Chéile was the cult Irish band of 1970s London, producing some of the most memorable recordings of the time. The 1970s album, Lord Mayo, was reissued on CD in 2006. To coincide with that release, the surviving original band members – master fiddler

Danny Meehan, Liam Farrell (banjo), John Roe (piano) and Kevin Boyle (guitar) – reformed alongside new recruits, flautist Paul Gallagher and accordionist Andy Martyn.

Now they’re back, adding powerful momentum to the revivalist movement within Irish music today with their exciting new big band mix of back to basics traditional Irish music from Donegal and Galway. Their long awaited third album, Out of the West, is now available.

CAITLÍN NIC GABHANN AND CIARÁN Ó MAONAIGHHighly regarded musicians in their own right, Caitlín Nic Gabhann and Ciarán Ó Maonaigh have joined forces to create an exciting duo. A three times All-Ireland winner on concertina, Caitlín is a regular performer at festivals and in concert halls from North America all the way to Asia. Her compositions have been performed in the Cork Opera

House and The National Concert Hall, Dublin and recorded in Ireland and abroad. She teaches concertina annually at summer and winter schools in Ireland, Europe and USA and has performed with the RTÉ, Vanbrugh Quartet, Paddy Keenan, Liam Ó Maonlaí and for Presidents and Royalty around the world.

She is also an accomplished dancer and has toured the world with Riverdance. Her debut solo CD, Caitlín was voted the 2012 ‘CD of the Year’ by tradconnect.com and ‘top Irish traditional album of 2012' by The Wall Street Journal.

A former recipient of the TG4 Young Musician of the Year award, fiddle player Ciarán Ó Maonaigh hails from the Gaoth

Dobhair gaeltacht in Co. Donegal. His playing is influenced by his grandfather and teacher Francie Mooney, Altan members Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh and Frankie Kennedy, Derry fiddle player Dermot McLaughlin and the Donegal fiddle legend, John Doherty.

His first album, Ceol a’Ghleanna (The Music of the Glen) was released in 2004. Fidil, released in June 2008, was described by Irish Music Magazine as “One of the most challenging and beautifully austere albums of the last fifty years”. 3 was released in 2009 and was awarded a 5 star review and made CD of the week in The Irish Times. He released his fourth album, The Old Wheel of Fortune, in 2011.

Sponsored by:

LISTINGS


ALBUM LAUNCH• PATSY MOLONEY• CAITLÍN NIC GABHANN AND CIARÁN Ó MAONAIGH5pm • London Irish Centre • FreeCaitlín Nic Gabhann and Ciarán Ó Maonaigh launch their CD, Caitlín & Ciarán

PATSY MOLONEY Limerick born flute player Patsy Moloney, who has lived in Birmingham for many years and is an influential member of the thriving Irish music scene in the City, makes a welcome return to the Festival. He visited us last

year with accordion player John Regan, to launch their album of duets. Since then, Patsy, Senior All Ireland winner in 1977, has recorded his debut solo flute album, The Temple in the Glen and we are delighted that he will be launching it at Return to Camden Town.

ALBUM LAUNCH• EAMONN RODGERS7pm • London Irish Centre • Free

EAMON RODGERS From Rannafast, Co, Donegal, singer, whistle and bodhrán player Eamon Rodgers has lived in North London for thirty years. He launches his debut album, Too Many Tunes, Too Little Time and

will be accompanied by many of those who accompanied him on the recording, with a guest appearance by accordionist Andy Martyn of Le Cheile.

LONDONIRISHCENTRE

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LISTINGS


SUNDAY 25TH OCTOBERDOCUMENTARY FILM SCREENING• ‘THE GODFATHER’ – BRYAN ROONEY Director: James Clenaghan. Presented by Sonta Films.

5pm • The Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) Studio Theatre • £5

The first part of an exciting multi-media event at our new venue for 2015, the RADA Studio Theatre, will feature a screening of the

documentary film The Godfather, about legendary Leitrim fiddle player and great friend of all of us at the Festival, Bryan Rooney.

Actor and fiddler Brendan Gleeson, who cites Bryan as one of his musical heroes, uncovers the extraordinary story of Bryan’s life and music, from the late 1960s, when, at the age of 16, he emigrated to London to find work in construction, to his

achieving global recognition within the Irish music world.

With wonderful music providing the underlying soundtrack to Bryan’s life, the film charts how he came to be recognised as one of the master fiddlers of his generation, who brought the heart of the tradition with him to London, took good care of it and handed it on to subsequent generations. Not to be missed.

EVENING CONCERT This concert is brought to you in association with Leitrim County Council.

• LEITRIM EQUATION 4 (FEATURING ELEANOR SHANLEY, PADRAIG MCGOVERN, DAVE SHERIDAN, JOHN MCCARTIN, DÓNAL LUNNY, EDWINA GUCKIAN AND VINCENT WOODS)5.30pm • The Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) Studio Theatre • £15/£13 saver

THE LEITRIM EQUATION Combining music, dance and poetry in one mesmerizing and beautifully crafted show, The Leitrim Equation concert performance looks to the long

tradition of music in a small county in the northwest of Ireland, to trace a history full of colour, full of love and loss and of leaving and coming back. From the mythical hills of Sí Bheag and Sí Mhór to the miners’ strikes of the 1960s, the show describes how landscape shapes us, how we live and learn and how we find beauty in the smallest of things.

The music of singer Eleanor Shanley, uilleann piper Padraig McGovern, flute and keyboard player Dave Sheridan and guitarist

John McCartin is combined with the words of poet, playwright and broadcaster Vincent Woods and the captivating footwork of Seán Nós dancer Edwina Guckian into a two-hour show, designed by Paul Keogan, with film by Johnny Gogan and musical direction by Dónal Lunny.

The Leitrim Equation is a production of Leitrim County Council Arts Office and has been made possible through the support of the Arts Council of Ireland.


Supported by:

LISTINGS


MONDAY 26TH OCTOBERAFTERNOON CONCERTIn association with Irish Elderly Advice Network

• CRAN• BRYAN ROONEY AND PETE QUINN• COMHALTAS IN BRITAIN2pm • London Irish Centre • £5

BRYAN ROONEY AND PETE QUINNWe are delighted to feature the great Leitrim fiddle player, Bryan

Rooney, in concert. Bryan was named Musician of the Year in the 2012 TG4 Gradam Ceoil awards.

He has lived in London since the late 1960s and is recognised as one of the master fiddlers of his generation. His now classic album, The Godfather, was released in 1999 and was followed in 2002 by Leitrim to London. After a gap of almost a decade, Bryan’s most recent recording, At Complete Ease, an album of duets with the great John Carty, was released in 2011. The album, which has already become a classic, features Bryan’s

brother, Mickey and John's son, James together with Alec Finn, Brian McGrath and Arty McGlynn.

Bryan is accompanied today by Pete Quinn on piano. From Liverpool, Pete's performing experience extends from John Cage at the Barbican through jazz fusion at Ronnie Scott’s to traditional Irish music at the BBC Proms. Formerly with The London Lasses, he has performed with some of the greats of traditional Irish music and has appeared on numerous recordings.

For Cran biography please see page 24.

Bryan Rooney

COMHALTASFeaturing many of the finest Comhaltas musicians based in London, the performers come from across the generations and include winners of several

All-Ireland titles. Following the success of its nationwide tour in 2014, Comhaltas UK is on the road again. Proceeds from this concert will go to the Comhaltas provincial council of Britain and will be used

to help the staging of its national events. For further information about the work of Comhaltas, please contact its development worker for London, John Devine – [email protected]

ALL THE BEST TO THE RETURN TO CAMDEN TOWN

FESTIVAL 2015

HARINGEY IRISH CULTURAL AND COMMUNITY CENTRE

Pretoria Rd, Tottenham, N17 8DXTel: 020 8885 3490Fax: 020 8801 4839

Email: [email protected]

LISTINGS


The Official Return to Camden Town 2015

FESTIVAL CLUB at

THE COBDENFestival session at 4pm on Saturday 24 October

Open late during the Festival on Fri 23, Sat 24 and Sun 25 October... Session musicians welcome... food available.

Come and join us after the concerts.28-30 CAMDEN HIGH ST, LONDON NW1 0JH

Lunch menu daily 12–3pm

UPCOMING EVENTS:SUNDAY 20 DECEMBER 2015DOUBLE BILL CONCERT:• Séan and James Cannon• The London Lasses and Chris O'MalleySouth London Irish Association Centre138-140 Hartfield Rd, Wimbledon, London SW19 3TGwww.southlondonirishclub.co.uk

SATURDAY 23 JAN 2016SET DANCING CÉILÍ• McNamara Céilí BandKennedy Hall, London Irish Centre 50-52 Camden Square, London NW1 9XBTime: 8pmMore info: www.returntocamden.org

LISTINGS


www.returntocamden.org facebook.com/returntocamdentown @ReturntoCamden irishmusicdanceinlondon

E: [email protected]

COMMUNITY INTEREST COMPANY NO. 9031004 FOUNDED 2014

presents the 17th Return to Camden Town Festival and would like to thank its 2015 partners, funders and sponsors:

return to 17th 2015 camden town1. london irish centre 50-52 camden square, london nw1 9xb tel: 020...

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