Criticism

Art Makes Such Things Possible Art Makes Such Things Possible Don O'Mahony The third outing of the biennial festival Sounds from a Safe Harbour took place in Cork earlier this month, featuring Feist, Slow Moving Clouds, Lisa Hannigan, Crash Ensemble, Caoimhín Ó Raghallaigh and Thomas Bartlett, Sam Amidon, and more. Don O'Mahony reviews.
Planxties for a New Quartet Planxties for a New Quartet Ian Bascombe The traditional music quartet of Laoise Kelly, Tara Breen, Josephine Marsh and Nell Ní Chróinín is currently on tour in the autumn series from Music Network. Ian Bascombe reviews in Ennis.
The Kiss of a Witch The Kiss of a Witch Adrian Smith Raymond Deane's new opera 'Vagabones' received its premiere last week at the Civic Theatre. Adrian Smith reviews.
Extreme Encounters Extreme Encounters James Camien McGuiggan American composer Missy Mazzoli's 'Breaking the Waves' received its European premiere at the Edinburgh International Festival in August. James Camien McGuiggan reviews.
Questions the Famine Left Behind Questions the Famine Left Behind Brendan Finan Donnacha Dennehy's famine-themed work 'The Hunger' received its European premiere in Dublin last week. Brendan Finan reviews.
Musical Love Musical Love Shannon McNamee The Another Love Story festival took place in Meath’s Killyon Manor on 16–18 August, featuring acts such as Cormac Begley, The Redneck Manifesto, Anna Mieke, Lemoncello, Dowry and Glasshouse Ensemble. Shannon McNamee reviews the small, art-filled festival now in its sixth year.
Here Comes History Here Comes History Toner Quinn Cherry Smyth's 'Famished' – a collection of poems focused on the famine – was performed at Kilkenny Arts Festival last week, with singer Lauren Kinsella and composer Ed Bennett. Toner Quinn reviews.
A Cello's Song at the Centre A Cello's Song at the Centre Toner Quinn Kilkenny Arts Festival presented the Irish premiere of Ed Bennett's 'Song of the Books' last week, performed by Kate Ellis and Crash Ensemble. Toner Quinn reviews.
The Freedom of Feakle The Freedom of Feakle James Camien McGuiggan The Feakle Festival in County Clare featured a range of traditional music acts, from the Martin Hayes Quartet to Cormac Begley and Steve Cooney. James Camien McGuiggan reviews two of the weekend concerts.
The Ritual of Daily Tunes The Ritual of Daily Tunes Brendan Finan Lau fiddle-player Aidan O'Rourke has just released his fifth solo album, twenty-five tune compositions in response to the stories of James Robertson, accompanied by jazz pianist Kit Downes. Brendan Finan reviews.

Pages