Seamus Grant Weekend 2020 - Online Programme

Friday 9th October

Opening Concert 8pm

Watch live 8pm on facebook or 8:15pm youtube

Bríd Harper - Bríd is our featured Fiddle player for 2020. Bríd is originally from Castlefinn, Co.Donegal. She is an MA graduate of the Irish World Academy of Music & Dance at University of Limerick. Bríd has featured on many TV and Radio broadcasts and has performed alongside many fellow great musicians. She has been hailed as one of the leading exponents of traditional fiddle playing of our time.

Shane Devlin, Paul McClure & Gabriel G. Diges – Shane (Clonmany), Paul (Buncrana) and Gabriel (Galway) perform together in Galway. These three highly talented musicians provide a mix of traditional and old time music along with their composition.

Junior Artists - A few songs and tunes from our young artists. Featuring: Paul William & Brendan Doherty Valerie Harkin Dancers Darragh & Ciara Gilmore with Bronagh & Eimear Harkin

Saturday 10th October

Saturday Workshops

All Workshops are free of charge

12 pm Mick Deneiffe – Accordion (C#D) Is from Kilkenny. He was raised in a tradition steeped in Irish traditional music. He has played the accordion from a young age and is a highly respected tutor and performer.

1pm Bríd Harper – Fiddle Bríd is our featured Fiddle player for the Seamus Grant Weekend 2020. She is an MA graduate of the Irish World Academy of Music & Dance at University of Limerick. Bríd is much in demand as a performer and teacher and tutors at many national and international summer schools and workshops. 

2pm Joe McGuigan – Dance the Reel Joe is known all over Ireland for his extensive knowledge and repertoire of traditional dance steps and travels nationally and internationally to perform and teach at festivals and workshops.

3pm Colm Toland – Song workshop ‘The Cambria’ Colm is well known as a former teacher in Carndonagh Community School. Colm has spent many years singing and collecting the songs of Inishowen. He has helped keep the tradition alive in Covid-19 times with regular Zoom sessions.

Saturday Night Concert - 8pm

Watch live 8pm on facebook or 8:15pm youtube

Brendan Hendry & Jonny Toman – these two talented musicians from Northern Ireland performed At the Seamus Grant Weekend in 2016 and delighted concert goers with their mixture of traditional and bluegrass music.

Jim McFarland - comes from Co. Derry. He has been singing for as long as he remembers and has travelled extensively with his talent. He can be heard regularly as part of the Inishowen Singing Circle.

Éamonn Coyne & Kris Drever - started playing together about fifteen years ago when they met through the vibrant Edinburgh music scene. They have performed and toured together at various intervals since then, augmenting the busy schedules they have performing separately with other bands and musicians so it’s a privilege to have them perform together for the Seamus Grant Weekend. .

Junior Artists: A few songs and tunes from our young artists. Featuring:

• Molly Donaghey
• Kate Glacken
• Valerie Harkin Dancers

Reel Trad (playing a few of Seamus Grant’s tunes) – are from Clonmany. This talented group of musicians have been playing together for over 10 years. They have been extremely supportive of the Seamus Grant Traditional Weekend and have kindly performed each year at the festival since its founding.

Sunday 11th October

Sunday Night Concert - 8pm

Watch live 8pm on facebook or 8:15pm youtube

Jenna Reid - is a famed fiddle player from the Shetland Islands of Scotland. She was taught by Tom Anderson and Willie Hunter. Jenna has been described as “the finest fiddler in Scotland of her generation”. She has toured worldwide with her music. At the request of Aly Bain and Jerry Douglas, Jenna has featured as a guest on Transatlantic Sessions 3&4.

Mick Deneiffe with Dermot & Patsy Toland (playing a few of Seamus Grant’s tunes) – are three exceptionally talented and experienced musicians. Close friends of the late Seamus Grant, Mick and Patsy, are joined by Dermot to play some of Seamus’ signature and favourite tunes.

Junior Artists: A few songs and tunes from our young artists. Featuring:

• The Gibbons family
• Bronagh Harkin
• Valerie Harkin Dancers

Ye Vagabonds: - are Irish folk duo brothers Brían and Diarmuid Mac Glionn originally from Co. Carlow. The duo’s blend of harmonic folk music has won the brothers numerous music awards and international fame.