Johnny Óg’s new show a highlight of annual Éigse

This year’s Éigse an Spidéil arts festival will run from March 4-8.  Buail Cos Faoi! newly composed music from well-known local musician  Johnny Óg Connolly, is the centre-piece of this year’s event and will be premiered on Saturday, March 7.

As a composer Johnny Óg draws inspiration from family, friends, fellow musicians and the surrounding landscape. His compositions include several tunes in honour of friends who have passed on, while his years with John Beag agus na hAncairí are captured in Waltz an Chleamhnais.

Sean-nós dancers Seosamh Ó Neachtain and Máire Áine Ní Iarnáin are collaborating with Johnny and have created lively responses to his musical creations, while Garry Ó Briain will provide accompaniment for this musical adventure. It’s on in Óstán na Páirce on Saturday, March 7.  Well-known Dublin fiddler Liam O’Connor will open the concert, accompanied by guitarist Pádraig Ó Dubhghaill.

The previous night, March 6, Tigh Ghiblin will host Ardán na hÉigse.  Kerry poet Ailbhe Ní Ghearbhuigh is this year’s invited poet.  Ailbhe’s Filleadh ar an gCathair is on RTÉ shortlist for A Poem for Ireland. Irish language poets from all over Conamara will join her, while  Saileog Ní Cheannabháin, a talented young fiddler player from Dublin with Conamara roots, will play some of her own compositions.

For more, read this week’s Galway City Tribune.