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A Landmark Recording in Irish Piping A Landmark Recording in Irish Piping Verena Commins Na Píobairí Uilleann has recently released the first full album of women uilleann pipers, 'Mná na bPíob Uilleann: Vol. 1', featuring Emer Mayock, Rita Farrell, Muireann Ní Shé, Claire Fennell, Marion McCarthy, Maeve O’Donnell and Pamela Schweblin. Verena Commins reviews.
A Wealth of Musics in West Cork A Wealth of Musics in West Cork Brendan Finan The West Cork Chamber Music Festival in Bantry, Co. Cork, took place from 23 June to 2 July and featured Ensemble Diderot, Trio Gaspard, Armida Quartet, Mairéad Hickey, Anna Devin, Lotte Betts-Dean, Caroline Melzer and more. Brendan Finan reviews the final weekend.
Unconventional Éire Unconventional Éire Don O'Mahony TG4's new series 'Éire Eile', presented by Cóilí Collins (DJ Shampain) explores subcultures and alternative scenes in Ireland, including interviews with Strange Boy, Problem Patterns and the Mary Wallopers. Don O'Mahony reviews.
Does the RTÉ Crisis Imperil Music? Does the RTÉ Crisis Imperil Music? Toner Quinn RTÉ is immersed in a crisis that has long-term implications for the broadcaster, but what will the consequences be for music, asks Toner Quinn.
Embracing the Louth Spirit Embracing the Louth Spirit Brendan Finan The Louth Contemporary Music Festival took place last weekend and featured American composer Caroline Shaw, new work by Linda Catlin Smith, Cassandra Miller and Sam Perkin, and a version of Terry Riley's 'In C' performed by Irish traditional musicians. Brendan Finan reviews.
A Summer Without Siamsa – Are We Forgetting About Local Arts Communities? A Summer Without Siamsa – Are We Forgetting About Local Arts Communities? Daithí Kearney The board and management of Siamsa Tíre in Tralee have suspended ‘all non-profit-making productions' for the summer season, but what does that mean for the original vision of the theatre and in particular the local arts community, asks Daithí Kearney.
Finding New Sounds in Sean-nós Finding New Sounds in Sean-nós Adrian Scahill The singer Síle Denvir has recently released a new sean-nós album, 'Anamnesis', produced by John Reynolds. Adrian Scahill reviews.
Listen Closer Listen Closer Thomas Neill 'Voces amissae', a new work by composer Ian Wilson, was premiered at the Dublin International Chamber Music Festival on 9 June in Dublin Castle. Thomas Neill reviews.
Minor Melancholia Minor Melancholia Adrian Smith 'The Blue Light', a new album by composer Garrett Sholdice, has just been released on the Ergodos label. Adrian Smith reviews.
Nurturing a New Generation of Sean-nós Singers Nurturing a New Generation of Sean-nós Singers Toner Quinn TG4 recently broadcast 'Bláth na hÓige', a seven-part series focusing on the emerging generation of sean-nós singers, and the music has just been released on the Gael Linn label. Toner Quinn reviews.

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