NYAH music festival coming to town this weekend
It's green month meaning 'Not Your Average Hooley' is coming to Cavan town, an event to brighten your spirits with traditional Irish music.
It's much needed too, according to Martin Donohoe. The event's musical director and chairperson insists that after the most recent storm, a bit of music is just what the people of Cavan need. The NYAH County Cavan Traditional Music Festival will run from March 14-17.
However the group, boasting around 34 members, want to bring jigs and reels to some local schools and nursing homes before then, so beginning on Thursday (March 13) they will making their rounds.
"A lot of the people that are into Irish music are in nursing homes," explained Martin, adding that it brings them to a "great place" when they hear the music.
"It's very rewarding," he said.
On Thursday night, the festivities will continue in Cootehill with an open tune session in Ramblin House Pub with Mickey McDonnell, Hugh P, Trevor, Brian and friends. The free event is sure to get you in the St Patrick's weekend spirit.
On Friday there will be a free one to one masterclasses in the Farnham Hotel for those at intermediate or advanced level playing banjo, fiddle, flute or singing from 5-9pm. Booking is essential via text: 086 2342 370 or email: cavanmusiclive@gmail.com.
On Saturday, the traditional tunes will continue with an open Irish music street session with Irish dancers on Market Square Cavan from 2-4pm. You are encouraged to join in with your own music and dance.
That night, the NYAH Irish Music Concert will take place in the Town Hall Cavan, when 'The Jig Of Life Awards' will be presented.
"A jig is happy and lively so over the years we decided that we'd have the 'Jig of Life Awards'," he said. They award the honours to "four or five people" who have "heart or soul" in their music.
"These people have the NYAH, they play, they teach, some of them don't even play they're just great people that want the passion.
"The 'Jig of Life' award is just to say thanks."
James Kelly, fiddler, who travels from USA for the award; Peter Maguire a Mullahoran piper, Mick O'Connor from Dublin who plays the flute and Dance Master Marian Crowe from Cavan are all set to receive awards.
"It's to cheer people up so it is and if that doesn't happen through music, song and dance, we may give up," Martin joked.
Those attending the concert are in for a treat with a night of top class entertainment promised by artists such as Neansaí Ní Choisdealbha from Galway who plays the flute Co Galway, sean-nós dancers the Duffy Brothers, Leitrim piper Brian McNamara and UK Fiddler Lamond Gillespie among many other talents from home and abroad playing instruments such as the flute, guitar, accordion, the fiddle and piano. They will also launch two new CDs at the concert, one being Jimmy Power and Josephine Keegan’s Fifty-Odd Years which will be launched by James Kelly and Lamond Gillespie.
The original master tapes have been transferred by Abbey Road studios London with further restoration work from John Blake. This was Jimmy Power’s only collaboration with Josephine Keegan and this recording was to be his last, made shortly before he passed away in 1985.
"It'll be some night," promises Martin of the concert.
On Sunday March 16, there will be a session from 2.30-3.30pm in Peoples Restaurant with Karen McMahon and Martin Donohoe, with a pride session by the 'Rainbow Reels' group from Belfast in Farnham Arms Hotel from 4.30-6pm. They will be joined by the NYAH Musicians Séamus, Karen, Andy, Brian, Nicola and Martin with other musicians welcome to join.
On St Patrick's Day there will be a world music display in the Farnham Arms Hotel from 4-5.30pm with Ukrainian, Indian, and Irish sharing culture session. Artists include Sruthi Ravali who is an accomplished singer, violinist, composer and educator and Abhishek Vasu, a mridangam artist from Mumbai in India. Ukrainian accordion master Sergiy Balan and friends will also perform.
"They want to share their music and we're learning songs from them," Martin commented.
This will be followed by a radio show from 6-8pm with Cavan man Martin Donohoe on Shannonside and Northern Sound which will be hosted in the Farnham Arms Hotel. Aside from this weekend, there is a NYAH CCE session is held in Farnham Arms Hotel Cavan every Sunday at 3pm with all welcome to join.
Tickets for the NYAH Traditional Music Festival 2025 can be purchased on the Townhall Arts Centre website.