Singing session led by Kevin Conneff & Paddy Berry

Sean Keane & Liam O’Flynn

Liz Carroll & John Doyle

Two legends of traditional music, sitting with achieved composure on stage, almost mirroring each other in their postures – there was something so powerful & fundamental about their presence it was difficult to find a way to photograph them. The camera preferred to keep a distance.

But the night began at the other end of the musical life arc, with a pit stop outside on the street to hear Sour Milk – legends to be, perhaps. The exchange went: “Will I take a photograph of ye?” “Are you from the Wicklow People?” “No. I’m taking pictures to put on the festival website.” “O. OK. Go on!. … Wait, [to a friend pushing in on frame of the shot] – hey, you’re not in the band.” Some discussion. “O, you’re a band, are ye?” “Yes. We’re Sour Milk.” “Excellent name.” ” We’re busking.” Snap-flash. “Now you have to make a donation.” “You’re good.”

Opening the concert was Cormac Murphy, award-winning accordian player and Fuinneamh member, accompanied by his friend Oisin on bouzouki. Like it did for Eric, the latter’s surname escapes me at the moment. He’s a fine player and it is to be welcomed that his name came to the fore when Cormac was searching his mobile phone contacts list for someone to play with him for this gig. Cormac’s playing was gentle, lively and mesmerising; and the tunes a delight to hear.

Cormac must be only 17 or 18, but he had a lovely gentle and calm way of introducing tunes and he even slipped in a few anecdotes reflecting how traditional music mixes with modern life for young players.

Having accepted the request for an encore, Cormac and Oisin consult on what to play – genuinely unprepared for such an eventuality. A hornpipe, I think it was, in the end.

Liam joking to Sean that there’s no point going all the way “down there” only to have to come all the way back, when he realised it was inevitable.

After another set, the standing ovation built quickly and with applause accompanied them all the way down the aisle.

The last minute venue trauma aside, it was a great night for traditional music. Under the Wicklow mountains, in the tiny village of Hollywood, on this particular night, you might persuasively argue, magic took place.

The sound guys having done a great job with the acoustics of the hall, the youth collective, Arc, led by Aoife Doyle, kicked off the weekend (just after the Rugby defeat). They represent the wonders that are achieved by the whole music scene in Hollywood – youngsters introduced to music as children, learning instruments from tutors and from players and from each other as they grow older, eventually starting to play in public, and then joining a band, and then from there who knows: a great arc of musical life. (Keep scrolling down to see pictures of the school & Arc in action elsewhere.)

Headlining Friday night were Liz Carroll & John Doyle, just arrived from the US and starting their Irish tour. They must have been tired from travel and touring, but as Liz herself said not even the bad news from the Rugby could dampen their excitement about being back in Ireland again. And O how that excitement became apparent. They were phenomenal, and it was some kind of magic, and everyone felt it judging by the reception for them.