One of the most enjoyed aspects of the O’Flaherty Irish Music Retreat is the instructor concerts. It’s not surprising that the performances are extraordinary with the best players in Irish music performing for an audience made up of Irish music lovers.
When we decided to go virtual with the retreat, we began researching ways to deliver concerts online that captured the sights and sounds of in-person performances. We believe we have accomplished that. We acquired state-of-the-art audio and video systems and shipped them to our instructors throughout the U.S., England and Ireland. We’re excited to share some amazing performances by these great players.
The concerts begin each evening at 8 p.m. (Texas Time) on three Friday evenings — Oct. 23rd and 30th and Nov. 6th. For those not enrolled in the retreat, all of the performances will be streamed live and are available for a small fee that helps support the retreat. For admission to an evening concert or all of the concerts, go to STREAM. A Farewell Concert just for students will be held at 9 p.m. (CST) on Sunday, Nov. 8th.
Here is the concert schedule:
8 p.m. (CDT), Friday, Oct. 23 Instructor Concert
Liz Hanley on fiddle, Paddy League on bouzouki and bodhrán, L.E. McCullough on whistle and flute, and John Morrow on tenor banjo
Joey Abarta on uilleann pipes and sean-nós dancer Jackie O’Riley
Cormac Begley on concertina, Jim Murray on guitar, and Brian McGillicuddy on mandolin
8 p.m. (CDT), Friday, Oct. 30 Instructor Concert
Liz Doherty on fiddle with guests Jack Warnock on guitar, Dallan Woods and Jim Woods on bodhrán, and Odhrán Woods on whistle
Chris Buckley on fiddle, James Keane on button accordion, Jeff Moore on guitar, and Cara Wildman on bodhrán
Harry Bradley on flute, Zoë Conway on fiddle, John McIntyre (guest) on guitar, and Gerry O’Connor on tenor banjo
8 p.m. (CST), Friday, Nov. 6th Instructor Concert
Eimear Arkins on fiddle and Eileen Gannon on harp
Colm Gannon on button accordion, Kelly Gannon on concertina, and Haley Richardson on fiddle
Manus McGuire on fiddle and Eoin O’Neill on bouzouki
Joanie Madden on whistle and flute, Mirella Murray piano accordion, and Eoin O’Neill on bouzouki
9 p.m. (CST), Saturday, Nov. 8th Farewell Concert
Final performances involving all of the 2020 instructors and invited guests
“Safe Home” sing along with Saundra and Tommy O’Sullivan