BY DECLAN VARLEY
The traditional music series Geantraí served as a cornerstone in TG4's musicprogramming for 17 years from 1996 until 2013 and the iconic series is making a comeback this weekend.
In this new thirteen-part series acclaimed singer and musician Ciarán Ó Gealbháin takes the helm as series presenter where he travels the length and breadth of the country to celebrate Ireland's vibrant music session tradition.
Geantraí captures Irish traditional arts and folk music in a relaxed session setting, highlighting the vital connection between performers and listeners. The series encapsulates the essence of sessions as cultural linchpins and social spaces, documenting Irish traditional and folk musicians in their natural and often preferred environment - the session.
Geantraí serves as a platform for both distinguished and emerging artists rooted in Ireland's music tradition, as well as paying tribute to the musicians and publicans that have helped to keep traditional arts and sessions alive to this day. This promises a distinctive and exciting night of music from each pub with musicians from the region featured in each episode. From Timoleague in West Cork to Dunkineely in Donegal, across to Ballisodare, County Sligo and to the village of Hollywood in Wicklow, the series covers music from across the entire island of Ireland.
Geantraí was the original showcase for traditional music on TG4 and the name and reputation of the series remains synonymous with traditional music, a reputation that will live on for future decades. The series carries an enormous legacy due to the quality of the series in days gone by and under the directorship of Paschal Cassidy, the legacy of Geantraí continues. Cassidy, a key member of the production team under the program’s previous stewardship by Tony and Joe McCarthy (Forefront Productions ). With his extensive experience in recording Geantraí programs in years gone by and series such as Hup and Cúltír (TG4 ) and most recently Seisiún (RTÉ ), Cassidy’s skill as a director will bring a new flare and style to Geantraí that promises not only a treat for devoted fans but also a captivating introduction for new audiences who might like to experience traditional music brought to their screens at home.
The series will begin with a re-showing of last year’s Geantraí na Nollag which features North Cregg, The Whileaways, Frankie Gavin and Conor Connolly, Sorcha Costello and Elaine Reilly and Gary Ó Briain. Hosted by Ciarán Ó Gealbháin and Pauline Scanlon, the Christmas special kicks off the series' return, airing on Christmas Day at 8p.m.
This will set the stage for the new series which will begin on Sunday, 7 January at 10.30pm recorded in Ó Céilleachair’s pub, in the village of Kilfinane, Limerick. Geantraí will air every Sunday at the same time for thirteen weeks (see the full list of venues below ). Don’t miss your chance to enjoy the very best of Irish traditional and folk music from the comfort of your home with Geantraí!
Ciarán Ó Gealbháin is the series presenter and is a highly acclaimed singer and musician from An Sean Phobal in the Déise Gaeltacht of Co. Waterford. Having toured extensively with the band Danú and performed and recorded with artists such as Liam Clancy, The Chieftains and many more, Ciarán continues to perform at festivals and concerts across the world and at home. A lecturer in Béaloideas (Folklore ) in Univeristy College Cork, Ciarán’s wealth of knowledge of and familiarity with the Irish traditional arts and the Irish language is of immense value to the production of Geantraí.
“Geantraí was a pioneering series which presented Ireland’s traditional music in its most natural setting in recent times - the pub!," he said.
It’s a wonderful thing that a new series of programmes will be back on the air again this Spring, giving a platform for traditional artists young and old. It’s an honour and a privilege for me to be part of this story.," he concluded.
Geantraí - Tg4 Sundays from January 7 10.30pm
