In great form, as usual, Arc opened the Saturday night concert in the Ardenode Hotel, Ballymore Eustace (reflecting the difficulty with venues in Hollywood).
They put on a great performance, including some French, Swedish and American (a Robert Johnson number performed solo by Joe) tunes & songs among the Irish material (which included a tune composed by Eric-the-organiser called Mood Swings).
Steve, Muireann & Billy led the session in Tutty’s on Saturday afternoon.
They were quickly joined by others and a good variety of instruments, including Eric-the-organiser on mandolin
a Jew’s harp
and a second flute played by Johnny from Arc.
(Thanks to Eoghan Conor for additional pic taking)
Eric Greaves opens the 2009 Music Under the Mountains festival in the Hollywood Inn, Hollywood, Co Wicklow.
Emer & Donal kicked the music off, later joined by Cormac in a night of superb music.
The lighting was blighting for photographs, the mirror in the background was a flash nightmare, and the microphones (as usual) got in the way, but none of that affected the musicians. It was a stunning gig to open the festival and although the numbers attending were down it didn’t have any impact on the music, which was all the more special as so much of it was composed by the performers themselves.
From Muireann biography we know that she “grew up immersed in the vibrant West-Kerry tradition with its wild dance music, soulful slow airs and vast repertoire of songs. Musician and lead singer from the traditional music group Danu. She is a regular contributor to television and radio programmes at home and abroad, she featured prominently in the”Highland Sessions” BBC television series, celebrating the best of Irish and Scottish traditional music and song. She also co-hosted and performed at the 2007 and 2009 Gradaim Cheoil TG4 and has presented many music programmes. Muireann is extremely sought after both as a vocalist and flute player and has collaborated with many musicians at home and abroad such as Julie Fowlis, Darrell Scott, Liam Clancy and The Bulgarian Women’s Choir. She released her solo album ‘Daybreak: Fáinne an Lae‘ in 2006 to great acclaim. Her most recent recording, “Dual” is a collaborative project with Julie Fowlis, Éamon Doorley and Ross Martin exploring the links between Irish and Scots Gaelic music and song”
To Listen Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh enchanting voice, join us at the
Fantastic fiddle player, we are pleased to welcome once more Steve Larkin at the Hollywood Music Festival 2009
Steve is a fiddle player from Wexford who plays, tours and records with many Irish musicians. Over the years he has been involved in many projects, including performing and recording with Dublin accordion player John Connolly, multi-instrumentalist Donal Siggins, flautist Emer Mayock and Mick Kinsella, with whom he is currently developing a duet album.
In 2008 he performed in Running Beast, a newly composed music theatre piece with music by Micheal Holohan and text by Donal O’Kelly. Running Beast also featured Mick O Brien on pipes, Maire Breathnach and Robbie Harris among others.
Some other musical projects include working on the soundtrack for the TV production ‘Billy Connolly’s Tour of Scotland, Ireland and Wales’ with Mick Kinsella and Damien Gallagher and developing ‘the third twin’ a recording of newly composed Irish music with Eoin Dillon, Frank Tate and Des Cahalan. A second album from ‘the third twin’ will be released in 2009.
He is recently considering the invention of a fiddle you can stand in.
To Listen Steve playing join us, Saturday 19th of September in Tuttys, Hollywood, Co Wicklow
Friday 18th
Hollywood Inn at 9.00 p.m.
Emer Mayock, Donal Siggins, Cormac Breathnach, (flutes, low whistles, bouzuki)
Saturday 19th
Tuttys at 2.00 p.m
Steve Larkin and friends
Ardenode Hotel 8.30p.m
Arc, Frankie Lane and Buille
Sunday 20th
Tuttys at 12.00 p.m
Alyth McCormack from Isle of Lewis to host the singing session
Tuttys at 8.00 p.m.
Michelle O’Brien, Peter Brown, and Paul Meehan (fiddle, accordion and guitar)
Friday 19th Sept
Opening session featuring local musicians in Tuttys Bar. Adm free.
Saturday 20th Sept
10.30 am fiddle workshops with Michelle O’Brien and Steve Larkin adm 10 Euro
2.00 Session in Tuttys Bar featuring Michelle O ‘Brien, Steve Larkin and Aidan Brennan. Adm free.
6.00 Session Hollywood Inn featuring ARC. Adm free
9.00 I Draw Slow in Hollywood Inn at 9.00. Adm 10.
Sunday 21st Sept
12.30p.m Singing Session featuring Cathal McConnell and Kevin Conneff. Adm Euro10
4.00 Session Hollywood Inn featuring The Kings River Band. Adm free
7.00 Concert Tuttys featuring Gerry O’Connor (fiddle) Paul Mc Grattan (Flute),Giles Le Bigot (guitar and vocals) and Kevin Conneff (bodhran and vocals). Adm 20 limited seating.
Information on all events 045867380.
The members of ARC will be heading to the Breton town of Le Bono on the 4th. July to introduce their fiery brand of traditional music to the locals. Most of the expenses for the week long trip have already been recouped by the band themselves through various gigs over the past month.
Anyone in the area interested in playing guitar. We will shortly be commencing guitar lessons by the wizard Joe Junker. Depending on response these will take place at 10.30 on Saturday mornings, so come along and bring your axe.
Music Under The Mountains 
