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:

Goitse

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 six critically acclaimed recordings and maintains a year round touring schedule that includes performances throughout Ireland, UK, Germany, France and the United States. Their distinctive sound lies in the quality of their own compositions interspersed with age-old traditional tunes which make each performance unique. Laying the foundations for the music are World and AllIreland 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 Mc Geeney draws audiences into a song the way few performers can. Multi instrumentalist Alan Reid features mainly on banjo and bouzouki, drawing from an extensive knowledge of archival collections of Irish which enriches the bands repertoire. Daniel Collins is a multi instrumentalist All Ireland Champion, and is known for his distinctively intricate bass work on accordion.

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

*Goitse is a Gaelic word for ‘come here’ is pronounced – Go-wit-cha

 

The High Seas

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.

The High Seas