PROJECT WEST, a group of traditional Irish musicians, who recently took the US by storm on a 100-date tour, kick off their first official Irish tour with a charity concert in Galway.
The band - formerly known as The Young Irelanders - play St Nicholas Collegiate Church this Sunday with proceeds going to the Galway Samaritans. The band - Damien Mullane (accordion, melodeon ), Colin Farrell (fiddle, whistles, vocals ), Kieran Munnelly (flute, whistles, bodhrán, snare, vocals ), Stephen Markham (keyboard, piano, percussion, vocals ), Sean O’Meara (guitar, vocals ), Niamh Farrell (lead vocals, flute ), Siobhán Manson (dancer ) - have also released their eponymous debut album.
Project West was formed by Headford born producer Eric Cunningham. "When I first put this group together I had a very clear objective; to find young performers who were among the best exponents of Irish traditional music, song, and dance in the world today," he said. "The reaction in the US has been extraordinary and now it's time to bring it home to Ireland.
"All the members of the group have roots in the west of Ireland - hence where the name came from - and as I am a proud Galwayman I felt it would be fitting to have the group’s official launch in a beautiful setting in Galway city and in support of a very worthy cause.”
Heather Pope, fundraising lead for the Galway Samaritans said: "We are delighted Project West have chosen to support Galway Samaritans. July 24 is a special day for Samaritans - 24/7 - signifies we're available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Samaritans are there, no matter what, on Freephone 116 123, by emailing [email protected], or by calling into No 12 Dock Street."
Tickets are available in Claddagh and Celtic Jewellery, Quay Street.
