SUNDAY 28th JULY, 8:00 pm
MASTERS OF IRISH MUSIC
- Doimnic Mac Giolla Bhríde, voice
- Siobhán Armstrong, early Irish harp
- Martin Tourish, accordion
A one-off gathering of three of Ireland’s leading performers of evocative, soulful Irish music. Doimnic Mac Giolla Bhríde, the prize-winning sean-nós [‘old style’] singer, will perform with Siobhán Armstrong, Ireland’s foremost performer on the ancient Irish, brass-wire-strung harp. Musician and composer, Martin Tourish, [Young Musician of the Year, 2008], makes a rare Kilkenny appearance also, in an evening of solo singing and harpers’ songs from the ancient Irish harping tradition, together with lively instrumental music. Presented in the 1000-year-old Parade Tower of Kilkenny Castle.
TUESDAY 30th JULY, 8:00 pm
GIVE ME YOUR HAND – MUSIC OF THE 1600S FOR A GAELIC CASTLE
- Allan MacDonald, voice and small pipes
- Tamzin Elliott, early Irish harp
- Róisín O'Grady, soprano
- Toby Carr, Renaissance lute
Described as ‘the single most important living source of Gaelic musical culture’, acclaimed Scottish piper, and singer, Allan MacDonald, makes a rare Kilkenny appearance this July. He will be joined by historical harpist, Tamzin Elliott – in their Irish debut – playing the ravishing, ancient Irish harp, with its rare brass-wire strings. Also performing at this one-off Kilkenny date is rising British star of the Renaissance lute, Toby Carr, and historical-music soprano, Róisín O’Grady, in a programme of intimate music from Scotland, Ireland, England and France in the evocative surroundings of the 1000-year-old Parade Tower at Kilkenny Castle.