Double concert : Dartry Ceili Band & Shakeen Ceili Band
https://fleadhcheoil.ie/event/shaskeen-dartry/
Shaskeen- HAPPY CUSTODIANS OF IRISH MUSIC FOR HALF A CENTURY
Between the jigs, the reels, the songs and the banter, you will not find a contemporary, traditional Irish traditional band to engage with and entertain an audience as brilliantly as SHASKEEN.
With seven core members, the band has made seventeen records, toured extensively throughout Ireland, UK, all over Europe, and north America, with sold-out venues in parish halls, arts centres, churches and festivals.
The band originated fifty-two years ago in The Oxford Tavern, Kentish Town, London when Tom Cussen responded to a request from the proprietor. The rest as they say is history, history that is still being made by SHASKEEN, as they evolve from being a five, six, or seven piece, recently announcing the addition of two ladies to the line-up; stalwart concertina player Mary Liddy and the great songstress Katie Theasby. Both have effortlessly blended their unique musical talents and innovative styles with the tried and tested SHASKEEN brand.
There are hardly any bands playing traditional music and songs in Ireland today that has the heritage, cultural context, longevity and experience of SHASKEEN, a band of genuinely skilled musicians, no gimmickry, just instrument wizards, great variety in the tunes, straight-forward arrangements, beautiful songs, a fierce and collective drive, mighty energy.
SHAKSEEN has been lauded and awarded down through the years, on radio, television and across broadsheet pages in various languages.
Dartry Céilí Band
The Dartry Céilí Band is from Sligo and won the All Ireland Senior Céilí Band competition at Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann in Tullamore in 2009. In 2010 the band recorded its first album ‘The Killavil Post’, which received excellent reviews not only in Ireland but also in the UK and in the United States. It strongly reflected its North Connacht roots and included a variety of trad selections including songs from their extremely talented singers, Cian Kearins and Noelle Carroll. The Dartry released their second album ‘Making Tracks’ in 2014 which again received excellent reviews throughout the world and a new album from the band is scheduled for release in 2023.
The Dartry has appeared on many broadcasts over the years including RTÉ’s ‘Late Late Show’ with Ryan Tubridy, (and became the first performer ever outside the House Band to play the ‘LATE LATE’ theme music live on the programme). The band has also appeared on TV3’s Morning Ireland, TG4’s Geantraí Christmas Night Special, performing with such legends as Paul Brady, Matt Molloy, Liam O’Flynn, Arty McGlynn and others. They have also had a full Céilí House programme on RTÉ Radio 1 dedicated to their music.
They were invited by President Michael D. Higgins to perform for him and his family at Áras an Uachtaráin, where they performed with the acclaimed Eleanor Shanley and I Draw Slow. As well as playing concerts and céilíthe in Ireland & the UK, The Dartry has also been invited to travel to perform in the United States where they received a terrific response.
The Dartry played to one of its biggest audiences when it provided the music for the annual St. Patrick’s weekend Céilí Mór on St. Stephen’s Green in Dublin, where the band played to in excess of 10,000 revellers. Other particularly memorable appearances include the band’s open-air performances at Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann in Sligo and in Dublin over Easter weekend outside the National Concert Hall as part of the official 1916 Centenary Celebrations.
Details of our new CD which will be launched at our concert in Mullingar on 11th August called ‘Dance Upon The Mountains’.
The band is comprised of: on fiddles – Mossie Martin, John Kilkenny, Declan Folan and Philip Duffy, on flutes – June McCormack, Noelle Carroll and Cian Kearins, on button accordion – Sean Carroll, on concertina – Michael Rooney, on piano – Kevin Brehony and on drums – Damien McGuinness.
