| 22/01/2007 | Music | Ireland |
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Temple Bar Trad
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| Posted by Editor Ireland | |
  Traditional music has many homes in Ireland. Listening locally to the distinctive musical styles of Sligo, Donegal, West Clare, East Clare, East Galway, Sliabh Luachra and so on, it’s easy to feel as the heart of what the music is all about. In recent years, attempts to safeguard and promote the legacies of the various areas has resulted in Summer schools and festivals springing up all over the country – extolling the virtues of the regions and their particular style of music, paying homage to local musicians and drawing aficionados from all over the world. The good bit about all this is the maintenance of the distinctive flavours of Irish music. The bad bit is…well, there is no bad bit. Odd, then, that the notion of a festival of traditional music in the heart of Dublin took longer to take root. There has always been great music in Dublin, and its contribution, particularly to the realm of piping, has been huge. In recent years, despite notions to the contrary, the very best of music has been alive in the city. The difference has been, perhaps, that Dublin music often expresses itself best in its plurality of styles, rather than in any single discernable rhythm. At times it seems as though a particular Dublin style is emerging, especially among its younger players, but much of the excitement of the traditional music scene in the city lies not only in its quality, but in its variety. It seems an appropriate way for a city of many different influences to express itself. And so, with the regional styles in robust health, it is time to celebrate the vibrancy of the music in the capital. Last year the first Temple Bar Trad, Festival of Irish Music and Culture was launched with fantastic success. The programme was appropriately eclectic, drawing the best of the country’s musicians to the heart of Temple Bar in unusual combinations, running workshops, as well as exploring wider Irish cultural experiences such as story-telling, Irish language drama etc. This year the programme is even more exciting, even more varied. Can’t wait. Dublin: Home of Traditional Irish Music. Who’d have thunk it? Brendan Gleeson ________________________________ TASCQ 27 Eustace Street, Temple Bar Dublin Ireland Tel +353 1 677 2397 Email info@tasqc.ie Website www.templebartrad.com |