From the Heart of Ireland: The South Roscommon Singers In Concert at Glen Echo Town Hall
Singers from the South Roscommon Singers Club, based in Knockgroghery, Co. Roscommon, Ireland, will be journeying to America as guests of a similar local group, the Frank Harte Memorial Singer's Club, which meets regularly at the Irish Inn at Glen Echo, Maryland. This is a rare chance to hear the real stuff--the songs that get shared in an Irish pub around a glass of ... (BYOB)
County Roscommon is located in the geographical center ?the very heart?of Ireland. The home of Iron Age Queen Maeve and the locale for the ancient Irish epic T?in B? Cuailnge (Cattle Raid of Cooley), Roscommon plays a central role in Irish mythology and music. Join the South Roscommon Singers? Circle at the Glen Echo Town Hall, Sunday, September 22, 2013 at 7:00 p.m. for an evening of songs that come straight from Ireland?s heart.
Founded in September 1993, The South Roscommon Singers? Circle is composed of a group of friends who meet once a month in Jimmy Murray?s Bar, Knockcroghery, County Roscommon, to share songs in Irish and English. They sponsor the annual South Roscommon Singers Festival every October which attracts large numbers of enthusiasts from overseas and every corner of Ireland. The festival slogan is, ?a wondrous cornucopia of delights.?
The singers:
Schoolteacher Johnny Johnston uses traditional song as a teaching aid in his classroom and has trained other teachers to work through that medium. He has conducted workshops and performed at the Willie Clancy Summer School in Miltown Malbay, County Clare. Johnny has a fine repertoire of traditional songs as well as newly composed gems (some his own and more by his wife, Pat), both humorous and serious.
A consummate performer of both traditional and contemporary ballads, Liam Lally never fails to command the attention of his audience. Liam is also a founding member and leader of the ?Ferbane Bawlers?, a singing circle based in Hiney?s Bar in his own native town of Ferbane.
Declan Coyne is the founder of the South Roscommon Singers Circle and is the driving force behind the group. He has published two books; The Lilting Sons of Country Folk, and Alone by the Wild Wood: A Roscommon Song Book (with companion CD). Declan has also produced documentaries for Irish radio.
Possessed of a fine singing voice and an in-depth knowledge of Irish traditional song, Mai Hernon performs and teaches at traditional music festivals and summer schools in Ireland and overseas. She recently moved to Cincinnati, Ohio, where, no doubt, she will reinforce her already powerful reputation as one of Ireland?s finest traditional singers.
This concert is co-sponsored by the O?Neill Malcom Branch of Comhaltas Ceolt?ir? ?ireann (CCE) and the Folklore Society of Greater Washington (FSGW).
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Founded in 1964, FSGW is an all-volunteer, not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization. The Society seeks to further the understanding, investigation, appreciation, and performance of the traditional folk music and folklore of the American people. You can learn more about FSGW by visiting our web site, www.fsgw.org.
Dublin-based Comhaltas Ceolt?ir? ?ireann (CC?) is the largest single non-profit group involved in the preservation and promotion of Irish traditional music and culture. Started in 1951, CC? now has branches all over the world. The O?Neill Malcom Branch primarily serves the Washington, DC metropolitan area.
