The popularity of Irish Music, Song and Dance in the North Mayo Area will be brought to the fore in this year’s Ballina Salmon Festival on Friday 14th July at 7:30pm in the Military Quarter, Ballina. For the first time in its history, the festival will feature a Traditional Music, Song and Dance evening.
Artists from all over North Mayo will showcase their amazing talents as we celebrate life through Irish Music, Song and Dance. The evening of Friday 14th July promises to be a hand clapping, foot tapping event and we look forward to seeing you all there.
Event line-up
This evening is set to be a mini-festival of traditional Irish music and the line-up is as follows:
- Bofield Céilí Band/ Gort na mBó CCE
- Sylvan Kelly School of Dance
- Scoil Rince Ui Chinneide
- Nolan/Bailey School of Irish Dancing
- Tommy Stenson Sean-Nós Dancer
- Maureen Lawlor Centre Stage Vocal Academy
- Atlantic Rhythm and Moffatt School of Irish Dancing
- Friday Night Traditional Group
- Flat Out
Admission
€5 at the gate on the night.
About the Artists
Bofield Musicians
In a small townland in the parish of Bonniconlon, many years ago, a group of 5 traditional musicians became known as the Bofield Band. Decades later the group now have 100 musicians between the ages of 8 and 80, playing a variety of instruments.
They continue to promote traditional music, song and dance with traditional sessions and group music classes throughout the year.
No strangers to All Ireland competitions, the group will ensure an evening of foot-tapping lively Irish Traditional Music.
Sylvan Kelly School of Irish Dance
The Sylvan Kelly School of Irish Dancing provides classes in solo, team and show dancing. They have won numerous World, All Ireland and International titles in both solo and team categories. Having produced their own sell out shows in the Ballina Arts Centre, they pride themselves on also offering non competitive avenues in Irish Dancing. Past students of the school are currently starring in top Irish Dance shows such as Riverdance and Lord of The Dance.
The school has performed on national television including The Late Late Toy Show and have also won TG4’s talent show An Jig Gig. The aim of the school is to instil a love of Irish traditional music and dance culture into their students.
Scoil Rince Ui Chinneide
Scoil Rince Uí Chinnéide was established in January 2016. The Irish Dancing School is run by Tara Kennedy in Ballina. Tara began dancing at the age of four with Mrs. Pat Jackson Rowe and danced at many competitions in both Solo and Team events.
Tara began her teaching career with the Sylvan Kelly School and gained her TCRG (teaching qualification) in 2011. Tara runs classes in Ballina and Enniscrone teaching from the age of 3 and also has an adult class. Tara also teaches in many national schools in the local area. Please contact Tara on 085-7043458 for any information.
Nolan/Bailey School of Irish Dancing
Ballina is home to these champion dancers who have won many titles including Connacht, All Ireland, Great Britain, All Scotland & World Championships over the last number of years.
The Nolan/Bailey School is taught by Des Bailey and Cheryl Nolan who have worldwide theatrical experience, having toured with Riverdance and Lord of the Dance.
Tommy Stenson
Tommy started Sean Nos Dancing in 2011. Since then he has performed with many highly acclaimed musicians including Sharon Shannon, Frankie Gavin and De Dannan. He has appeared in numerous RTE and TG4 productions including Nationwide and An Jig Gig.
Tommy has performed nationwide and this year toured Lithuania for St. Patrick’s Celebrations with the Irish Embassy. This year Tommy took a year out and has spent his time teaching in schools and local towns.
Maureen Lawlor – Centre Stage Vocal Academy
Formerly known as Lawlor School of Song, this school encourages and develops vocal technique.
This school also boasts a Musical Theatre Chorus called “Stage Heroes Academy” in which singing, dancing and acting culminates in an end-of-term musical.
Individual lessons and children’s choir are also on the curriculum.
Atlantic Rhythm Productions & Moffatt School of Irish Dancing
Atlantic Rhythm Productions is an amalgamation of local talented award winning young musicians and world champion dancers from the Moffatt School of Dancing. The group has gone from strength to strength since its formation in 2013. The group performs at home and abroad and has recently appeared on the Late Late Toy Show.
Friday Night Traditional Group
A love of Traditional Irish Music brought this group together a number of years ago. The group meets up every Friday night in various locations to play Traditional Irish Music and sing Ballads. Their easy listening style attracts audiences from far and wide and audience participation is encouraged. It’s an absolute must to watch this group in action as they portray Irish Traditional Music at its best.
Flat Out
Flat Out are a four piece, up and coming, group from the town of Ballina, Co. Mayo in the West of Ireland. They formed their group in 2013 and are made up of family and friends.
They are a lively multi-genre group performing various types of music. Their sound can be described as a mixture of Folk, Trad, Pop with a hint of New World thrown in for good measure. With Traditional Irish instruments including the Irish harp, accordion, fiddle, bodhrán, flute and tin-whistle, Flat Out have created their own unique sound. They play a mix of their own original material along with reworked cover songs not to be missed.
