Some of Galway’s biggest names in traditional music will come together on stage at the Town Hall Theatre later this month to launch a new album by ‘unsung hero of Irish traditional music’, Iomar Barrett, with all proceeds from the event going to COPE Galway.
Barrett’s new album Sweet Mountbellew Town is a collection of original compositions, produced in collaboration with Chris Kelly and special guest Prionsias Kitt. The tracks vary from traditional reels, jigs and hornpipes to continental style waltzes and slow airs which have a genteel French influence.
Legendary, gifted composer and musician Máirtín O’ Connor will officially launch the album at the concert.
In what promises to be a very special night of music, dance, story and song, Iomar Barrett, Prionsias Kitt, Chris Kelly and his wife Máirín Fahy - founders and producers of Trad on the Prom - will be joined onstage by a host of musical friends. Performers on the night will include gifted Galway singer and storyteller Don Stiffe, singer/songwriter Marc Roberts, who represented Ireland in 1997 Eurovision, along with Delia Boyce, Eamon Brady, and Eamonn Kitt.
Renowned Roscommon traditional flute players, Patsy Hanley and John Wynne will offer a lively duet, and Iomar Barrett will be joined by his friends Sean Igoe and Paddy Dalton for a magical musical finale.
Joining the performers on stage are Colm Henry on keyboards, multi-instrumentalist Yvonne Fahy, and TikTok sensations from Cairde - dancers Dara Kelly and Ronan O Connell. Special guests include the inimitable comedian and impersonator, Aidan Tierney (Tierney Talks ).
A cheese and wine reception will follow the concert and ticket holders will also receive a copy of the CD.
All proceeds from the concert and album sales are generously in aid of COPE Galway, which offers services to people in Galway who experience homelessness and to women and children who experience domestic abuse across the county and city. The charity also provides social and nutritional support to older people in our communities. Its last annual report showed COPE Galway supported 2,885 men, women, children and young people across Galway city and county.
Iomar Barrett and Friends Traditional & Variety Concert in aid of COPE Galway will take place at the Town Hall Theatre, Galway on Thursday 30 March. Tickets are €40 and are now on sale from the Town Hall Theatre box office at www.tht.ie, phonee 091 569777. Price includes concert, CD copy of the album, and post-concert cheese and wine reception.
