MANCHESTER - MAYO CONCERT PREVIEW!

Sometimes, I marvel at the stack of talent in small communities.  Take for example - Manchester, home to one of the biggest Irish Communities outside of Ireland in the world.  A look at some of the eminent Irish Musicians that have come from south Manchester is incredible.  Take for example Dezi 'Fiddles on Fire' Donnelly or former BBC Traditional Musician of the Year Michael McGoldrick or Flook's sensational Bodhran player John Joe Kelly...  

Then, there's our dancers from Manchester - led by multiple World Champion - James Keegan - principal dancer in Lord of the Dance no less. James is now teaching a new generation of dancers with his sister - award winning choreographer - Louise Keegan.

Music brings communities together and south Manchester is a classic example of that.  It's just like Rhosllanerchrugog in North Wales, a village of just 9,000 with at least FOUR World Class Choirs and has produced musicians like Llyr Williams Just like the people with Irish connections in south Manchester, the people of Rhosllanerchrugog have stuck steadfastly to their traditions and rightly so.

This brings me to the actors, musicians and dancers from Crossmolina, County Mayo.  Led by the impressive Sheila Mofatt.  I first saw this talented group at the premiere of their new production - The Emigrants’ Farewell at The Royal Theatre, Castlebar in April.  

To say this show was outstanding is an understatement, I felt like I was at the start of something massive.  All the participants were local to Crossmolina - which makes it even more of an incredible achievement.  I think I counted one musician playing at least 7 different instruments to an amazing standard! Produced by Atlantic Rhythm Productions, this outstanding bunch of Mayo performers, aged between about 6 and 60 produced an emotional, yet hilarious look at life in County Mayo in 1912.  The show had already wowed audiences in Boston, USA and Manchester - they took the show home and the 500 strong audience led by Tourism Minister Michael Ring TD were on their feet in raptures.  I won't tell you the story - you'll have to go and go and see it yourself!  Here's a sneak preview: http://www.irishtv.ie/the-emigrants-farewell/

Friday, 2nd August at Ballina Arts Centre sees Sheila Moffat's Atlantic Rhythm Productions join forces with Louise Keegan's Young, Gifted and Green as part of the Manchester / Mayo and North Mayo Gathering.  The talent on stage is going to be phenomenal and I for one can't wait.  I will post my review of the gig here next week, which also features Reel Rhythm Dancers, traditional band - Flatout, PJ Reilly, the Attymass Choir and Flute Player Carmel Gunning.