Bantry to ring with sounds of top traditional musicians

Bantry Bay will ring with the sounds of traditional music as the acclaimed Masters of Tradition series runs for the next four days in the town, having opened last night.

The festival, under the guidance of artistic director Martin Hayes, will feature some of the country’s most talented musicians and singers, as well as collaborative performances, including musicians visiting from overseas.

The festival has run for the past 12 years and Hayes said this year’s event was in keeping with a theme of including the work of artists from diverse traditions.

Get down to Bantry this week. The brilliant @mastersoftradit festival starts on Wednesday #music #Ireland pic.twitter.com/aJLDLYfYOx

— travel ireland mag (@Traveliremag) August 17, 2015

This year’s event will have a strong Indian flavour, with performers including Karaikudi S Subramanianm, who is a ninth-generation musician from the Karaikudi Veena Tradition and who will perform alongside Hayes and Australian-born sarode player Matthew Noone in Bantry House tomorrow night.

Last night’s opening concert, in the Maritime Hotel in the town, also featured Hayes with his long-time collaborator Dennis Cahill, and Thomas Bartlett, Doug Wieselman, and renowned American dancer, Nic Gareiss.

Hayes said: “Dennis Cahill and I were fortunate to meet with amazing musicians on a recent tour of India and I am looking forward to welcoming some of them to Bantry.”

Other performers participating include Brooklyn Rider, one of the world’s foremost classical quartets, who will be in St Brendan’s Church today, again with Mr Hayes and singer Máire Ní Chéilleachair.

Also taking part are Cathy Jordan, Liam Ó’Maonlaí, Seamus Begley, Chris Droney, Aoife Ní Bhriain, and John Flanagan.

The Ceolchoirm, featuring Chris Droney with guests and Liam Ó Maonlaí in Bantry House tomorrow night is already sold out.

A spokesperson for the festival said as many as 1,200 music fans are expected to attend the various concerts across the festival. westcorkmusic.ie/mastersoftradition.