As part of The Gathering 2013, The Temple Bar TradFest will celebrate the influence of Irish Music around the world. In conjunction with The London Irish Centre we are bringing the London Irish home to celebrate the rich history and vibrant present of Irish music in London.

Supported by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, this very special concert will showcase and celebrate three generations of Irish music making in London. The collaborative and creative flow of Irish music between London and Ireland is well-documented and this concert embodies that spirit.

What better time to celebrate the contribution of Irish music to London's cultural diversity? It is also a time to explore how London-based musicians have sustained, enriched and inspired the tradition.

The line up for the evenings entertainment includes The London Lasses and Pete Quinn with very special guests Bryan Rooney and James Carty plus support by Crossharbour.

The London Lasses and Pete Quinn

The London Lasses and Pete Quinn with very special guests Bryan Rooney and James Carty plus support will kick off the evenings entertainment.

Recently returned from concerts in the Isle of Skye and the 33rd Cork Folk Festival, the Lasses’ 10th anniversary CD release, By Night and By Day (their 4th album to date) has been extremely

well received since its release in 2010. In the last couple of years, the band has enjoyed opening Cambridge Folk Festival, headlining at the All-Ireland Fleadh in Cavan, finishing the night at the fantastic St Patrick’s Day Festival in Camden’s iconic Roundhouse, appearing on BBC Radio 3’s In Tune and supporting The Chieftains on their 50th Anniversary Tour appearance at the Royal Albert Hall. Band members are: Karen Ryan (fiddle, mandola, banjo), Elaine Conwell (fiddle), Maureen Linane (accordion), Elma McElligott (flute,sax, vocal), Brona McVittie (vocal, harp) and Pete Quinn (piano, keyboards, vocal).

We are delighted to be able to feature the great Leitrim fiddle player, Bryan Rooney, as part of this concert. Bryan who was named Musician of the Year in the 2012 TG4 Gradam Ceoil Awards.

In addition to featuring on the 3-CD box set Beginner’s Guide to Ireland (Nascente, 2005), the band has appeared on UK and Irish TV including Backstage (BBC Choice), Ardánand Geantraí (TG4), plus a memorable turn on EastEnders (BBC1).

CrossHarbour

Cross Harbour are an exciting new band emerging from the thriving London Irish music scene. The band showcases the talents of Órlaith McAuliffe, 2011 Senior All-Ireland Champion on both Flute and Whistle who most recently won the 2012 Senior All-Ireland Champion title in the Flute Slow Air competition. Sam, who is originally from Nottingham, gained critical recognition for his 2008 debut solo album Natural progression that was chosen by the Irish Times as one of the traditional albums of the year. Philippe Barnes is a multi-instrumentalist that is well know ion the folk and jazz circuits as a ?ute player. However, Philippe joins CrossHarbour primarily as a guitarist. Since completing an MA in Irish Music Performance at University of Limerick.Tad Sargent is in demand as a session music and teacher of the bodhrán as well as being an accomplished bouzouki player. He has recorded with Brian Kelly and Guy Ritchie’s Punchbowl Band as well as appearing as
a featured musician on the ?lm Burke and Hare, alongside Sam. Tad is also a memeber of contemporary Celtic band Ranagri who are currently their debut album at the legendary Realword Studios.