Tyneside IrishFestival

13th to 23rd October

Tyneside Irish Cultural Society presents30th

BeogaSeán Keane

Niamh Ni CharraJack O’Rourke

Wildcats of KilkennyJimmy Crowley

Tickets 0191 261 0385

www.tynesideirish.comtwitter @Tyneside_Irish

FULL PROGRAMME

Thursday 13th October 7.30pmFFEESSTTIIVVAALL OOPPEENNIINNGG NNIIGGHHTT

Free but please get a ticket Fáilte Isteach!

A World of Irish Welcomes! To start

our 30th Festival we have invited

representatives of the many cultures

and nationalities that make up

modern Tyneside.

These will include our celtic cousins,

the Scots, the Welsh and Bretons as

well as our Northumbrian friends.

Just to prove you can become an Irish

musician whatever your background,

our special guest is All-Ireland

champion singer and fiddler,

Muhammad Al-Husseini.

From Ireland we welcome old friends, harper Fiana Ni

Chonnaill from Tipperary and storyteller Pat ‘The Hat’ Speight

from Cork. Also harper Lizzie Asfolter from Brittany. There will

be dancers and singers galore, Chinese, Hindi and, of course,

Irish. Don’t forget there’s also a music session downstairs if

you want to join in yourself.

Tony Corcoran Writes:Little did I think that when we started the festival in 1987 that Iwould still be involved today. In thirty years we have had many diffi-cult times but thanks to our supporters, our funders and the TynesideIrish Centre we have continued to bring high quality Irish cultureand entertainment to Newcastle.Through the year the Tyneside Irish Cultural Society invests over£40.000 in the city for the benefit of all, not just the Irish. At themoment we are going from strength to strength and if we have theright irons in the right fire we may see a significant increase in ourcommunity programmes soon.Meanwhile thanks to all our loyal friends and welcome to one of ourbest ever festival programmes.

All events held at Tyneside Irish Centre unless otherwise stated

41-43 Gallowgate, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 4SGFull programme and tickets available at

www.tynesideirish.com 0191 2610384

tyneside irishcultural society

Tony Corcoran, Director Tyneside Irish Cultural Society

Friday 14th October 7.30pm £15SSEEAANN KKEEAANNEE aanndd BBaanndd

From Co. Galway, Seán wasdescribed as the ‘greatest musicalfind of the 90‘s‘ by ‘The London Independent‘. Growing up in a family ofsingers and musicians, includinghis sister Dolores, helped Seán tolearn the sean-nós style ofsinging and by the time hereached his teens, he hadcollected thirteen All-Irelandmedals in Fleadh Ceoilcompetitions. By that stage Seán

was also an accomplished whistleand flute player as well and had taken up the uilleann pipesand bodhran.

When he joined his first group, ‘Shegui‘, he had already serveda long apprenticeship. After travelling throughout Europe withthe band, he left to join ‘Reel Union‘. Later, he was part of‘Arcady‘, with such well known names as Johnny ‘Ringo‘McDonagh, Sharon Shannon and Frances Black.

After a short flirtation with the theatre Seán embarked on hissolo career in 1993. ‘All Heart , No Roses‘ received ravereviews and was chosen as ‘Debut Folk Album of the Year‘ byQ Magazine. In the years following, success continued withMeteor Award nominations, ‘Best Male Folk Performer‘ fromIrish Music Magazine (three times). All of his solo albums areplatinum sellers and remain in constant demand. Six soloalbums later, Seán Keane continues to delight audiences withhis live performances and recorded work.

Catch him on YouTube performing his live version of ‘TheScattering’ from Cork Opera House. On this tour Seán’s bandincludes Pat Coyne and FergusFeely on guitar, mandolin andvocals. The show will includeall his ‘hits’ including “HomeAway from Home”, “Isle of Hope”and “Galway to Graceland” aswell as his version of Sting’s“Fields of Gold”.*The Gallowgate Lounge willbe open after the show for awee impromptu session!

Saturday 15th October 2pm-4.30pm FreeIINNTTEERRNNAATTIIOONNAALL PPIIPPEERRSS DDAAYY

Tyneside Irish Centre Library Third FloorRecital, talks and demonstrations of the IrishUillean pipes, and a chance to try them out foryourself. It’s free and you don’t need a ticket. Just come along to listen, play or have a go.

Saturday 15th October 8pm £10NNIIAAMMHH nnii CCHHAARRRRAA

&& KKEEVVIINN CCOORRBBEETTTTA multiple award winner on both fiddle and concertina, Niamhfrom Co. Kerry toured as a soloist with Riverdance and in 2014won ‘Female Musician of the Year’ in the Live Ireland MusicAwards. She is joined here by the highly acclaimed KevinCorbett on guitar.

Strongly influenced by local Sliabh Luachra musicians Niamhstarted playing music at the early age of four, under thetutelage of renowned musician Nicky McAuliffe. She touredfrom 1998 to 2006 as a soloist with Riverdance, before returningto Ireland.Her latest album “Cuz”, received great critical acclaimincluding “Instrumental Album of the Year” in the ChicagoIrish American News’ TIR awards for 2014. Her music featureson the programme “Ireland in Song” currently airing on AerLingus transatlantic flights.

Along with touring extensively as a solo artist and with herown band, Niamh has also performed and recorded with TheChieftains, and with Carlos Núñez, she released an album “TheBasque Irish Connection”. She still performs occasionally withRiverdance, most recently for a tour of China, where she tookon the additional role of Musical Director.

Saturday 15th October 8.30pmFree in the Bar

LLIIAAMM TTUURRNNEERRThe ever popular entertainer fromSwatragh, Co. Derry knows how to getthe crowds singing and dancing for arockin’ good night with music fromNathan Carter, Van Morrison and otherIrish standards.

Sunday 16th October 12pm - 2pm £10FFIIDDDDLLEE && GGUUIITTAARR WWOORRKKSSHHOOPPSS

with Niamh Ni Charra and Kevin CorbettFiddle and guitar workshops

with the superb Niamh Ni

Charra and Kevin Corbett

for improving musicians.

Places are limited.

This is not a concert.

Sunday 16th October 12.30pm - 3pm Free(See website for details)FFAAMMIILLYY FFUUNN DDAAYY aanndd CCEEIILLII DDAANNCCEE

It’s the return of our ever popularFamily Fun Day. Includes FacePainting and a Magician. An afternoonguaranteed to wear the kids out!

Sunday 16th October 8pm £5DDEERRMMOOTT HHEEGGAARRTTYY

Only Dana ever sold more singles than Dermot Hegarty inIreland. His 1970 hit “Twenty One Years” with his band ThePlainsmen still holds that distinction.

From showband star to cabaret and recording artiste, Dermot,from County Longford, has done it all. And he is still on thetop of his game having just returned from performing on thetop American cruise circuit.

Monday 17th October 7.30pm £8 concs £6At the Alphabetti Theatre, in the Basement of 16 New BridgeStreet West, opp. City Library, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 8AW

Irish Theatre presents

GGEEOORRGGEE BBEERRNNAARRDD SSHHAAWW IINNVVIITTEESS YYOOUU

A one man show performed by Paddy O’Keeffe as GeorgeBernard Shaw.

Playwright, orator,novelist, critic, essayist,iconoclast, politician,energetic self-publicist,controvertialist, GBS,as he styled himself,divides opinion todayas he did in his lifetime. In this award-winning show the man himself invites you tocelebrate his 90th birthday on the 26th July 1946. However, hiscelebrations are rudely interrupted by Paddy O’Keeffe, anobsessive Shavian who is determined to discover the realBernard Shaw. Age Recommendation: 12+

(Tip to find the way in – look for the blue gates by the NCP carpark entrance)

TYNESIDE IRISH CENTRE

TYNESIDE IRISH CENTRE

AADDUULLTT EEDDUUCCAATTIIOONN

CCLLAASSSSEESS && AACCTTIIVVIITTIIEESS• Irish Language

• Art (Drawing and Painting)

• Irish History

• Set Dancing • Ancestry

• Adult Music Group

Look on our website or call the office

BBOOOOKK && FFIILLMM CCLLUUBBAn informal group meeting about

once a month in the Centre.

Contact Carmel McGrath

via the office

or look on our website.

RROOSSSS

(Raised on Songs and Stories)This is an Irish Community Project

22001166--1177 LLEECCTTUURREEPPRROOGGRRAAMMMMEE

The last series of lectures the

“Road to the Rising” had excellent

support. Following up, this year’s series

will highlight the lives of some of those

who shaped or failed to shape Ireland’s

destiny in the 20th century.

Subjects already confirmed include

Patrick Pearse, Liam Mellows and

Hannah Sheehy-Skeffington.

There will be artists, writers and others

added to the list which will be

on our website in October

All lectures will be on

Thursdays from 7.30pm

tyneside irishcultural society

TThheeGGaallwwaayy GGiirrll

Tuesday 18th October 7.30-8.45pm

A Drama by Fergus CampbellSet in Galway during the 1916 Rising

Directed by

Neil Armstrong

PAY

WHAT

YOU CAN

Following on from the

successful 1916 Rising

lectures Fergus will

discuss the issues

dealt with in the play

*This is also the British launch of Jimmy’s excellentbook “Songs from the Beautiful City: The CorkUrban Ballads”, and he will sign copies on the night.

Tuesday 18th October 8.30pm £12/£10 concsAt the Stand Comedy Club (0191 300 9700) 31 High Bridge, NE1 1EW Doors Open 7pm.

IIRRIISSHH SSTTAANNDD UUPP CCOOMMEEDDYYwith Mary Bourke , support fromMicky Bartlett and Totally Wired. Hosted by Martin Mor.Mary Bourke was born in Dublin duringa cross fire hurricane. She lives in leafyBuckinghamshire with her comedianhusband and her large collection of Betty

Page memorabilia. Before she became acomic, she was a burlesque dancer and choreographer in SanFrancisco. She has published numerous romantic novels underthe pseudonymn Tara Sundrive. • 5pm-9pm Special pre-show 3 course Irish Menu: Leek &Potato Soup with Soda Bread, Bacon & Colcannon, followed byBarmbrack Loaf with Bailey’s Custard! Main Course £10 • 3 courses £16

Wednesday 19th October 8pm £5JJIIMMMMYY CCRROOWWLLEEYY

“Jimmy is a living legend in Irish Folk music.He comes from Cork, in the south of Ireland, acity whose musical richness mirrors the city’sdiversity – a great trad music and song heritageas well as a legacy from music-hall vaudeville and high art musicaltraditions. Crowley draws on all of these traditions in fashioning hisown unique performance style and repertoire and has collectedextensively in the south of Ireland both as a ballad singer and as partof his academic degree. He is a consummate stage performer as well asa song writer, adding colour to his songs by weaving stories aboutCork characters, maritime exploits and daily life into his act. Hissinging style is truly unique – nobody hearing Jimmy could possiblymistake him for anyone else.” Mick Moloney “The test of anysinger is whether or not you listen to him – I have Jimmy Crowley’s‘Jimi Mo Mhile Stor’ in the car at all times.” Liam Clancy “Jimmyand I have been on the one road for many’s the long mile and myjourney is always shortened when I meet him.” Christy Moore“Since I have known Jimmy Crowley, which is quite a while, thequalities which I have admired most in him are his consistency, hisintegrity, and his ability to adapt and be receptive to all kinds ofmusic, his uniqueness. And for me, he embodies the spirit and voiceof Cork and he’s a great singer.” Ronnie Drew “Jimmy Crowley is amusical icon in Irish tradition. He sings out from his own ground toa world of listeners. And the lift and lilt of his voice is the listener’sjoy.” Micheál Ó Súlleabháin, Irish World Centre, University ofLimerick “He remains a unique interpreter of songs both traditionaland contemporary with a special gift for communicating with hisaudience.” Mary Black “For me, he embodies all thatis good and true about the music in which we areinvolved.” Martin Carthy

Thursday 20th October 7.30pm £15BBEEOOGGAA Support from Ards Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann.

It’s a warmwelcome back tothe Irish Centrefor one of themost popularbands to play

here. Beoga (gaelicfor ‘lively’) are based in County Antrim in the north of Ireland;the bedrock of their sound lies firmly within the Irish tradition.They also incorporate other genres, from bluesy riffs to AstorPiazzola-style jazz; the result is traditional, with a huge sense offun and adventure. The Wall Street Journal described them as“the most exciting new traditional band to emerge from Ireland thiscentury.” Their unique sound features the twin duellingaccordians of Damian McKee and Sean Og Graham, pianistLiam Bradley and four times All Ireland Bodhran championEamon Murray. The line up is completed with the addition ofNiamh Dunne, one of Ireland’s premier young talents, onvocals and fiddle. Beoga have been described by the Irish Timesas “individually talented and collectively inspired.” Beoga’s musicseduces a diverse array of music lovers, and the release of the2009 album ‘The Incident’ saw the group continue to blaze apioneering trail, receiving a GRAMMY nomination for BestContemporary World Music Album. The band’s profile rose toa new level with a front page feature in the St. Patrick’s Dayedition of the Wall Street Journal. Recently they haveheadlined many festivals in Europe and the USA including theFleadh Cheoil 2016 in Ennis, Co. Clare. Support is provided byArds Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann from Co. Down.

Friday 21st October 8pm £7JJAACCKK OO’’RROOUURRKKEEJack O’Rourke’s work has featured on BBC4's‘The great Irish songbook’ and his song‘Silence’ was described by presenter CerysMatthews as ‘truly beautiful’. The song wasused by Amnesty International for the Yescampaign in the successful equal marriagereferendum and performed on RTE’s Late Late Show. In January2016 he released the stunning “I’ll Forget You in The Morning”which was swiftly playlisted by local and national radiostations. His follow up single ‘Dreamcatcher’ showcased adifferent side of O’Rourke, combining funky Stax soul rhythmswith Jack’s hypnotic timbre. Soon after its release, Jack took thecoveted 1st place in the lyrics category of the International SongWriting Competition, judged by Bill Withers and Tom Waitsamong others. This year’s highlights included selling out hisdebut Dublin performance at Whelans, performing ‘Galileo’with Declan O’Rourke at Live At St. Lukes and performing onthe Frank and Walters new album alongside Cillian Murphy.Jack also played live at Dublin’s recent Bloom Festival. Hisdebut album ‘Dream Catcher’ was released in September,featuring edgy baroque pop, plaintive ballads and startinglyhonest reflections on the world around him. *An After Show music session featuring Ards ComhaltasCeoltóirí Éireann will take place in the Gallowgate to round offthe night!

Saturday 22nd October 8pm £10WWIILLDDCCAATTSS OOFF KKIILLKKEENNNNYY

The Wildcats are celebrating 25 years of jumping up and downthis year. The Wildcats of Kilkenny were formed in 1991 – aresponse to fiddler Mike McGrother being called a ‘*******Geordie” by long time hero and style guru Shane MacGowan. Meeting for the first time on a cold November day, the ladswent on to perform to a packed village hall in Eaglescliffe,Teesside. Within months their reputation spread and over theyears their irreverent, manic and highly chargedperformances have been enjoyed by thousandsover the world. Their latest triumph wasplaying in New York on the St. Patrick’s DayParade in 2016. From Billingham to Beijing,Dormanstown to Donegal and Eaglescliffe toEdinburgh, The Wildcats have brought a

stomping, smilingcrowd to their feet. 500weddings, 2 funeralsand 8 practices in, theboys are now in their

25th year with a glint in their eye, aspring in their step and a fanbase like none other. Made in Teesside. For the world.

Sunday 23rd October 8pm £5FFEESSTTIIVVAALL

FFIINNAALLEE CCEEIILLII

Our Festival Finale Ceili with thelong time friend of, and visitor to, theFestival, celebrated All IrelandChampion accordionist SeamusO’Sullivan and friends. Truly a Great Way to end the Festival!

Saturday 22nd October Free in the BarArds Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann

A musical community group formed 40 years ago to promote

Irish music to the people of North Down and further afield.

Fresh from backing Van Morrison last month.

tyneside irishcultural society

FFRRIINNGGEE FFEESSTTIIVVAALL

Friday 14th After Show Gallowgate 10.30-12pmSaturday 15th Liam Turner Bar 8.30-10.45Monday 17th Gaelic Conversation Gallowgate from 7.30pmFriday 21st Ards Comhaltas Ceoltóirí ÉireannGallowgate 10.30-12pmSaturday 22ndArds Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann Bar 8.30-10.30

VENUESTyneside Irish Centre, Gallowgate, Newcastle uponTyne NE1 4SG Tel 0191 261 0384Alphabetti Theatre, in the Basement of 16 New BridgeStreet West, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 8AWStand Comedy Club, 31 High Bridge, Newcastle uponTyne NE1 1EW Tel: 0191 300 9700

TIMETABLE OF EVENTSAll events at the Tyneside Irish Centre unless stated

Thurs 13th International Opening NightFriday 14th Seán KeaneFriday 14th Aftershow SessionSat 15th International Pipers DaySat 15th Niamh Ni Charra and Kevin CorbettSat 16th Liam TurnerSun 16th Family fun daySun 16th Fiddle and guitar workshopsSun 16th Dermot HegartyMon 17th Gaelic ConversationMon 17th GB Shaw Invites You Alphabetti TheatreTues 18th Irish Stand-Up Comedy Stand Comedy ClubTues 18th The Galway GirlWed 19th Jimmy CrowleyThurs 20th BeogaFri 21st Jack O’RourkeFri 21st Ards Comhaltas Ceoltóirí ÉireannSat 22nd Wildcats of KilkennySat 22nd Ards Comhaltas Ceoltóirí ÉireannSun 23rd Ceili with Seamus O’Sullivan

Function Room HireFREE DEALS AVAILABLE

Concert Room capacity 220

Gallowgate Lounge capacity 110

Excellent catering service

Free DJ Facilities

Great Light and Atmosphere

In The Heart of The City!

Tyneside Irish Centre

Gallowgate

Newcastle upon Tyne

NE1 4SG

Tel: 0191 261 0384

www.tynesideirish.com