Songs of Migration and Displacement (with Ríoghnach Connolly, Niall Hanna, Niamh Farrell & Alan Burke) @ Imbolc International Music Festival

Songs of Migration and Displacement (with Ríoghnach Connolly, Niall Hanna, Niamh Farrell & Alan Burke) @ Imbolc International Music Festival

Friday, 1 February 2019, 7.30pm

Songs of Migration and Displacement (with Ríoghnach Connolly, Niall Hanna, Niamh Farrell & Alan Burke)

Friday 1 February | Dé hAoine 1 Feabhra
An Croí, Cultúrlann Ui Chanáin
Doors/ Doirse: 19:30 | Start/ Am tosaithe: 20:00
£10

“Those in power write the history, while those who suffer write the songs.” - Frank Harte
Migration has been one of the biggest stories of recent centuries and even more so in recent decades. People have left, or have been forced to flee, their homes, crossed multiple borders, terrains, rough seas and oceans in the most dangerous of circumstances to arrive in foreign and often unwelcoming and hostile shores on account of wars, famine, and other forms of displacement.
In this event Ríoghnach Connolly, Niall Hanna, Niamh Farrell & Alan Burke will pay tribute to the displaced, disposed, vulnerable and unsheltered everywhere through a selection of songs they have chosen and give us an insight into why they selected them.
Possessed of a powerhouse voice, a deft way with a flute and a personality that brooks no nonsense, Armagh-born Ríoghnach Connolly combines her Irish roots with blues-belting swagger like no other. She recorded Black Lung, an abum of mainly traditional songs she got from her grandmother. She sings and plays the flute with Honeyfeet and The Breath, has performed with the Afro Celt Sound System and is part of the Beware Soul Brother Project. She also conducts a choir for emigrants and teaches Irish kids in Manchester where she is based.

Hailing from Derrytresk in County Tyrone, Niall Hanna is a traditional singer/guitarist and is the current recipient of the Young Musician’s Platform Award from the Arts Council of Northern Ireland. Niall comes from a very musical family and at an early age he began learning traditional songs from the singing of his late Grandfather Geordie Hanna. In recent years he has performed on numerous tours in Europe and beyond, sharing the stage with names including Reel It In, The Rapparees, Buille, Cathal Hayden and many more. Niall has gained a reputation amongst singers and musicians alike, and has used the Young Musicans Award this year to collect and record a mixture of traditional/folk songs in his own style.

Niamh Farrell’s versatile voice and love for music and singing was instilled from a very young age in her native Sligo, in the North-West of Ireland. As a member of both the Sligo based band The JPTrio and Project West, Niamh has performed in Europe, Australia, New Zealand and America on stages at internationally recognised festivals such as Electric Picnic, Byron Bays ‘Bluesfest’, the iTunes Festival and and Milwaukee Irish Fest.
Over the last couple of years Niamh has shared the stage with Bobby McFerrin, Cathy Jordan, Téada, Seamus Begley, David Kitt and Lisa O’ Neill. In 2014/2015 she embarked on a world tour with singer-songwriter David Gray as part of his ‘Mutineers’ band and has since recorded and performed as a supporting artist for the singer songwriter.
Her musical influences are vast, allowing her to move effortlessly between Irish traditional, gospel contemporary and folk genres, offering the audience an eclectic mix of material.
“She’s one to watch” - (Brian Donavan of WGBH (Boston USA))

Alan Burke is widely regarded as one of the finest ballad singers of his generation.
Well-known as a member of Rambling Boys of Pleasure, Alan possesses an almost inexhaustible repertoire of traditional, contemporary and self-penned songs in both the English and Irish languages. Accompanied by his unique driving guitar style, Alan’s powerful presence and technique have featured on two highly acclaimed solo albums, On The Other Hand (1998) and Tip Of The Tongue (2000) alongside numerous recordings and collaborations with the bands and projects that have formed the core of a great life in music. A commanding stage presence, with a voice that is powerful, sensitive and crystal clear, Alan’s gigs are always truly memorable.

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IMBOLC 2018 Highlights

Published by Journal of Music on 10 January 2019

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