Video
Comhaltas Video Archive
Irish traditional music is a passionate art form. The energy of dance music and the pathos and humour of traditional singing can be difficult to appreciate unless you have the chance to observe it at close quarters. Short of being there, we think that the ComhaltasLive video programmes give you a great chance to do just that.
We began a project a few years ago to document some of the great performances of traditional music. In association with the Irish International Webcasting Company, the ComhaltasLive project set out to capture some of the current ‘greats’ of traditional music, document some of the promising young stars and also to show music within its historical context by referencing audio and video from the past.
The weekly ComhaltasLive programmes have been well-received, and thousands of people have had a chance to see some of this great music up close and personal. Please take a look at this week’s programme, or browse through excerpts from our past programmes.
Suggest a show
If there’s an event or opportunity coming up that you think we ought to cover, just send us a note and we’ll see what we can do. And if we can’t get there, maybe you’d like to write up the event for our journal, Treoir. Don’t forget to include some photos and, where possible, one or two video clips on DVD which we may be able to upload on to the website.
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- ComhaltasLive #262-6: Shane Meehan on Fiddle with some Reels
- 5 July 2008
- With an unusual style of fiddle playing, Shane Meehan from Carrick-on-Shannon, Co. Leitrim plays two reels: “Bonnie Kate” and “Jenny’s Chickens”. Shane learned his music from his grandfather, John Meehan.
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- ComhaltasLive #262-5: Erin McGeown playing “McKenna’s Reel”
- 4 July 2008
- To our American cousins: Happy Independence Day!
In today’s programme, Erin McGeown from Co. Armagh plays a single reel known as “McKenna’s”, which is this week’s tutorial.
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- ComhaltasLive #262-4: Banjo player Colm Greene
- 3 July 2008
- Banjo player Colm Greene from Cahir, Co. Tipperary plays three reels. The first is “The Small Hills of Offaly”, composed by Paddy O’Brien of Offaly, the second is “Around the House and Mind the Dresser” composed by Charlie Lennon and the third, “Ríl na Glaise” was composed by Limerick banjo player Marcus Maloney.
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- ComhaltasLive #262-3: Breda Shannon on Concertina
- 2 July 2008
- Concertina player Breda Shannon from Ballinameen, Co. Roscommon plays two jigs, the second being a composition of Ed Reavy. Breda won the All-Ireland Under-12 title in 2003.
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- ComhaltasLive #262-2: Erin McGeown with “The Spinning Wheel”
- 1 July 2008
- A five-part reel known as “The Spinning Wheel” played by fiddle player Erin McGeown from Craigavon, Co. Armagh. Erin originally heard a two-part setting from fiddle player John Kelly and subseuently learned this five-part version.
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- ComhaltasLive #262-1: Jigs from Paddy Ryan (fiddle) and John Carlos (flute)
- 30 June 2008
- From Co. Roscommon, fiddle player, tutor and broadcaster Paddy Ryan is joined by flute player John Carlos for a selection of jigs. The first is the double jig “Fasten the Leggin”, and the second is a single jig, “Adam and Eve.”
Paddy presents weekly traditional music programmes on Shannonside Northern Sound Radio (104.1 and 94.8 FM), and John has featured on several Comhaltas tours.
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- ComhaltasLive #261 (Full Programme)
- 29 June 2008
- In ComhaltasLive programme #261, we bring you music from the fine young musicians Clodagh Holland, Aishling McPhillips, Dean Warner, Padraig Swift, Rosie Ferguson and Eimear Reilly.
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- ComhaltasLive #261-6: Eimear Reilly on Fiddle
- 28 June 2008
- Two reels: “Limerick Lassies” and a North of Ireland version of “The Maid Behind the Bar”, played on fiddle by Eimear Reilly from Drumcalpin, Co. Cavan. Eimear learned her music from current All-Ireland senior fiddle champion Laura Beagon.
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