Scoil Cheoil na Botha – Traditional Irish Music festival, Scotstown, Co. Monaghan 14th-16th October 2011

A big thank you to everybody who helped make the 5th Scoil Cheoil na Botha a success and to all those who travelled from home and abroad to take part in our activities. A special thanks to all the fantastic musicians who taught and performed at our concert last night. It was without doubt the finest concert of Irish music to take place in Monaghan for a long number of years, and it is hoped that it was enjoyed by all present.

Final session today at 3pm in Mc Cague’s Bar.

The 5th Scoil Cheoil na Botha weekend is in full swing. Class numbers are up on last year. Next up in a session for beginners / intermediate level in Moyna’s Bar from 4pm-6pm. Rona Dinkin (concertina), and Barry Mc Loughlin (fiddle) will play in Henry’s from 6pm-8pm.

The Concert featuring the Scoil Cheoil na Botha tutors takes place tonight at 9.30 in Urbleshanney Hall, Scotstown.

CANCELLATION
PLEASE NOTE: CEILI TOMORROW WITH THE LONG NOTE HAS BEEN CANCELLED

I’m delighted to announce that the Scoil Cheoil na Botha festival will be officially launched on Friday 14th in Mc Cague’s bar at 9.30pm by one of Monaghan’s leading authorities on Irish music and culture – Eamonn Curran. In addition to as being a respected teacher and performer on the uilleann pipes, Eamonn is also one of Ireland’s finest uilleann pipe makers. Throughout his long associated with traditional music in the county, as well as with the Armagh Pipers Club, Eamonn has been instrumental in the development of music in the border region.

The official launch will be followed by an open session to which all are welcome. Hope to see some of you then.

The Long Note Ceili Band have been confirmed for the Sunday Ceili.

Seamus Begley, the legendary West Kerry singer and accordionist, and raconteur has been confirmed for Scoil Cheoil na Botha 2011.

Séamus Begley comes from one of Ireland’s most musically acclaimed families. He is known for his sean-nós (“old style”) singing, hailing as he does from the Irish-speaking region of West County Kerry. Equally brilliant on the accordion, Séamus plays with astonishing energy and spontaneity, belting out jigs, slides and polkas with rapid sprays of ornamentation. Begley has won numerous awards including Best Folk/Celtic Duo at the 2009 Ireland’s Music Awards. “Begley’s voice is buoyant…a joy” says The Irish Times.

Tommy Peoples, one of Ireland’s greatest ever fiddle players, has been confirmed as a tutor at this year’s Scoil Cheoil na Botha. From his early playing with groups such as the Green Linnet Ceili Band, his recording on the Bothy Band’s first album, and through his solo work, Tommy Peoples has influenced untold numbers of musicians. It is our great pleasure to have him teach and perform at this years festival.

Scotstown native, Dónal Mc Cague will launch his new album “Bits n Pieces” at this year’s Scoil Cheoil na Botha festival. Dónal has developed into a fiddler of great expressivity, playing music adorned with an incredible level of detail and thought. We’re delighted to have Dónal join us for this year’s festival to officially launch his new album.

We are delighted to announce that Monaghan County Council have agreed to help fund this year’s Scoil Cheoil na Botha. Thanks to their continued support, we will continue to bring some of Ireland’s finest musicians to our festival.