The Irish Traditional Music Archive (ITMA) has announced that the next edition in the Drawing from the Well concert series will take place at the National Concert Hall on Tuesday 20 May. Now in its seventh iteration, the Drawing from the Well series brings together artists to create new performances based on materials from ITMA’s collections.

Performing at the concert in May is concertina player Cormac Begley who will be joined by Breanndán Ó Beaglaoich (accordion) and Clíodhna Ní Bheaglaoich (fiddle); Brían and Diarmuid Mac Gloinn of Ye Vagabonds performing with Dónal Lunny, and Andy Irvine and Matt Molloy. Also in the programme are sean-nós dancer Edwina Guckian, harper Laoise Kelly, singer and flute player Ríoghnach Connolly (who won this year’s RTÉ Radio 1 Folk Award for Best Folk Singer), Lauren O’Neill and Peadar Mac Gabhann (harp and poetry), and Brenda Castles (concertina).

The concert will be presented by Liam O’Connor, Director of ITMA, and guest curator Nora Hickey M’Sichili, Directrice of Centre Culturel Irlandais in Paris.

‘It is deeply satisfying for ITMA to see extraordinary artists delve into our archives, uncover hidden gems, and reimagine them for performance on Ireland’s most prestigious stage,’ said O’Connor. ‘[The] concert, curated in collaboration with the Directrice of the Centre Culturel Irlandais in Paris, marks another exciting step, with sister performances set to take place at Le Philharmonie de Paris, one of France’s most renowned concert halls. These archival treasures are moving beyond library shelves and archival boxes – brought to life through the imagination and skill of artists – finding new audiences online, in concert halls, and beyond.’

The Drawing from the Well series, which launched in 2020, has included concerts, films and recordings that see traditional musicians showcasing archival materials. 

For tickets, visit www.nch.ie.

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