Gigs
2018
Oct 5 LA, West Monroe – NELACelticFest
Oct 16-18 NV, Las Vegas – IMEX America
Oct 18-21 TX, Midlothian – O’Flaherty Irish Music Retreat
Oct 25 CA, San Diego – Songs of Irish Heroes
Nov 3-4 TX, Austin – Austin Celtic Festival
2019
May 12 – 19 NYC to Bermuda Joanie Madden’s Folk ‘n’ Irish Cruise
More or less info on all dates click here
This summer saw me for the first time teaching and lecturing at The Swannanoa Gathering during their Celtic Week. Every morning at 9am a class of about 40 would come to learn ‘What is in a tale: The Mask & Playfulness of the Storyteller’ then at 10.45 another 40 or so would listen and discuss ‘The Myths & Legends of Ireland’. It was one of the best teaching weeks I have had. The students were brilliant but I ended up learning quite a lot myself in the research for it and in the classes themselves.
For the Myths & Legends Class I split it up into the four major cycles:
- The Mythical Cycle
- The Ulster Cycle
- The Fenian Cycle
- The Historical Cycle
And for the 5th day I focused on the Corkman Thomas Crofton Croker and his Fairy Legends and Traditions of the South of Ireland book from 1826.
During the Storytelling class we dissected the elements of an interaction between the storyteller and the listener as well as what makes and good story and why we need stories to validate who we are. This was a class that became much more than I had anticipated.
We are in discussion to see if this kind of class could be repeated next year. Le cúnamh Dé they will have me back. Would you sign up for those classes?
Joanie Madden’s Folk ‘n’ Irish Cruise off to Bermuda
We had a ball on the majestic cruise up to Alaska with Joanie Madden and her cast of characters. It was wonderful to collaborate with great musicians and pop up sessions about the boat made it ever exciting.
Next May we go to Bermuda. Joanie told me I was going and I can tell you I went round the garden here doing continuous cartwheels. If you have ever been to the Fleadh Cheoil or a big Irish Festival, it is something like those only it’s on a boat and someone makes your bed, dinner & tea!
Click here to secure your cabin and make sure you tell them Máirtín sent you and it the only reason you are going! A white lie here and there won’t kill you.
Look at the line up!! Jeepers, I am going myself to see all of that gang. It’s massive! Some fellas like Johnny McEvoy are going twice…
Sharon Shannon, Lúnasa, Johnny McEvoy, Johnny McEvoy, Makem & Clancy, Dermot Henry, Daoirí Farrell, Don Stiffe, The Ennis Sisters, Tommy Sands, Padraig Allen and the McLean Avenue Band, Susan McCann, Gerry Timlin, Patrick and Conor O’Sullivan, Arty McGlynn and Nollaig Casey, Gabriel Donohue, Máirtín de Cógáin, Kate Purcell, Billy McComiskey, Dylan Foley and Josh Dukes, Pride of Moyvane Ceili Band, The Great Craic Band, The Sailor’s on the Rock, Sean Fleming Band, Daoiri Farrell, Ronan O’Flaherty, Donie Carroll, Seanie Moloney, Kevin Crawford, Cillian Vallely, Colin Farrell, Trevor Hutchinson, Ed Boyd, John Nolan, Donnchadh Gough, Mary Rafferty Clancy, Rory Makem, Donal Clancy, Hughie Boyle, Brendan O’Shea, Eddi Reader, Phil Cunningham, Pat Shortt, Cormac DeBarra, Joe Biancorusso, Jake James, Kevin McHugh, Tony Corbett, Bruce Foley, Pauline Conneely and Ger Carey, Pat Kane and Terry Kane, Hughie Boyle, Monsignor John Griffin, Patrick & Conor O’Sullivan, Mark Murphy, Irish Step Dancing with Donny Golden, Cara Butler, Jon Pilatzke, David Geaney, Anne Marie Keaney, Declan McHale, Michael Boyle, Michael Holland, Tom Lavin, Set Dance Masters Padraig and Roisin McEneany, Ceili Dance with Paul Keating and Marianne MacDonald Plus Norwegian Cruise Line’s amazing entertainment with fantastic music and Broadway Shows will be there for your enjoyment too!!
Well let me tell you, we had a ball on Joanie’s Alaskan Adventure this August. Milo got up and joined me a number of times and sung his heart out. See the video of it here
The Boy Patrick
A lovely project spearheaded by Patsy O’Brien I gave my drumming to, The Boy Patrick, is now out and in the world for all to have. There is currently a SALE ON – check it out and get your copy now online here
“Patsy O’Brien is a very accomplished musician and a masterful storyteller. In The Boy Patrick he merges both skills to bring alive the story of St. Patrick. Not only does he bring this iconic and often misunderstood iconic figure to life but you emerge from the experience with an understanding and appreciation of Irish instruments and how they function in an ensemble. Think an Irish Prokofiev’s Peter and The Wolf. I look forward to the day when Patsy brings this project to the stage – where it belongs. In the meantime, listen read, and revel in The Boy Patrick as it pushes the envelope on the Irish tradition.”
Larry Kirwan
