The Concerts

As part of the overall Craiceann experience, concerts are staged on two evenings (normally Tuesday and Wednesday) in the theatre of the community centre (the Áras). 

The usual arrangement for the two Craiceann evening concerts is to have one famous and well  established band and another that is less well known but with huge potential.

This year we have decided to break the established pattern because we celebrate our 20th anniversary. We invited two top groups that feature two of our long term teachers. We hope you are as excited as we are!

Attendance at these is optional, and the cost, which is not included in the normal course fee, is usually around 20 Euros per concert.
The bands for this year are:

The popular and multi-award-winning quintet Goitse was forged in the white-hot creative crucible of Limerick’s Irish World Academy. Named Live Ireland’s “Traditional Group of the Year”, Chicago Irish American News’ “Group of the Year”, as well as winning the prestigious “Freiburger International Leiter 2016” award in Germany, Goitse have become a leader of the new generation of traditional Irish ensembles.

Goitse has released four critically acclaimed recordings and maintains a year round touring schedule that includes performances throughout Ireland and the UK, Germany, France and the United States. Their distinctive sound lies in the quality of their own compositions interspersed with traditional tunes from the countryside of Ireland and abroad, which make each performance unique. Laying the foundations for the music are World and All-Ireland Bodhrán champion Colm Phelan and Conal O’Kane, who is fast making a name for himself as one of the finest guitarists of his generation. The gripping rhythm section sets a powerful drive for the music while the sweet, charismatic voice of Áine McGeeney draws audiences into a song the way few performers can.

Together, the quintet Goitse makes what Irish Music Magazine calls “Music that’s brimming with energy and creative zeal.”

Uplifting audiences across the world, The High Seas bring a fresh collection of musical talent to the stage in their new show. The band skilfully weave together the colourful strands of Irish music, song and dance into a tapestry of tradition, giving a performance that is both playful and profound, ethereal and brooding.

The trio is made up of acclaimed musicians Caitlín Nic Gabhann (concertina, dance), Ciarán Ó Maonaigh (fiddles) and Cathal Ó Curráin (vocals, bouzouki, fiddle) and has released a self-titled album in 2018. 
For this one special Craiceann concert The High Seas will be joined by Jim Higgins on bodhrán.  Jim needs no additional introduction here as he can be found under our Tutors section.