Wednesday 9th August | 8.30PM | TICKETS: €20 

The 2023 Fleadh Cheoil na h’Eireann in Mullingar marks a decade since the Moylurg Ceili Band became All-Ireland champions.
At the 2013 Derry Fleadh Cheoil na h’Eireann, an epic battle with Fermanagh’s finest Knockmore Ceili Band, ended in the first ever recall in a Senior Ceili band competition.
The Moylurg made musical history that night in three ways; the first Roscommon band to win a Senior All-Ireland, the first to win in Northern Ireland and the only senior band to win on a recall. The Moylurg were part of an exciting resurgence in the fortunes of Ceili Bands from north Connacht, following closely in the footsteps of the Inishfree and Dartry Ceili Bands – with whom they have close links. Rooted primarily in Roscommon and Leitrim with ties to Donegal, Galway, Sligo, and the London diaspora, most of the band spent their early days involved in Comhalthas Ceoltiri Eireann and several members are, individually, multiple All-Ireland and regional winners. These days they probably play more concerts than ceilis, reflecting the changing trends of traditional music.

Tonight’s line-up features the full original band: Fiddles: Enda McGreevy [Elphin, Roscommon], Shane Meehan [Carrick-on-Shannon, Leitrim], Ronan Greene [Milltown, Galway] Flutes: Lorraine Sweeney [Ballinamore, Leitrim], Aidan Shannon [Ballinameen, Roscommon], Mick Mulvey [Carrick on Shannon/London] Concertina: Breda Shannon [Ballinameen, Roscommon] Button Accordion: Brian Mostyn [Carrick on Shannon / Sligo] Piano: Mick Blake [Carrick on Shannon/Letterkenny, Donegal] Drums: Damien McGuinness [Dromore West, Sligo] + Special Guest appearances.

In 2014, following on from their All-Ireland title, the Moylurg released their first CD, called ‘The Rest is History’ which received plaudits from all quarters of the traditional music world and was launched by RTE’s very own Kieran Hanrahan on a memorable night in Kilronan Castle, Co. Roscommon. The band continues to be involved in many musical projects over recent years and has toured in the U.S and Ireland, playing many concerts and ceilis. We are delighted to celebrate our anniversary tonight in Mullingar Arts Centre.

Misneach

‘Misneach’ meaning courage was the deep-rooted emotion that inspired those who founded Leixlip CCÉ, Co Chill Dara in 1981. In the intervening years, Craobh Bheartla Uí Fhlatharta has grown and flourished and continues to promote music, song, dance agus an Ghaeilge.

The branch is proud to have commissioned Ciarán FitzGerald to compose, arrange and conduct this new Irish Traditional Orchestral Suite.

The Misneach Suite is not only a celebration saluting all those who contributed generously to the development of the branch in its 40-year history but also a springboard to the future promotion of the Traditional Arts in Kildare.

The Misneach Suite is a collection of beautiful melodic tunes in varying rhythms including jigs, slow pieces, waltzes, marches and reels. The pieces are orchestrated and reflect the history of traditional music in Kildare and inspiration is drawn from Leixlip and its environs combined with the commitment and enthusiasm of many well-known musicians from Kildare and beyond. The Misnea? Orchestra is made up of a mixture of the phenomenally talented branch members of CCÉ Leixlip alongside the fantastic friends of the branch. Further Information www.misneac.ie