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Adam's Camp: Fundraising Concert

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THE CAUSE

“When a family member has special needs, the entire family has special needs.”

Adam’s Camp was originally established in Colorado USA and has been operating for over 30 years serving 15,000+ families. Adam's Camp NI was founded in 2015 by the mother of a child with Autism from Newtownabbey who attended Adam’s Camp in Nantucket, Massachusetts. Autism is a spectrum disorder therefore each child requires individual care and support tailored to meet their specific developmental needs.

 From July 2016 Adam’s Camp NI has provided multi-disciplinary therapy for children and young people during a week-long residential which also facilitates activities for siblings and provides support and respite for parents. Adam’s Camp NI wishes to continue to provide intensive therapy to children and young people and provide support and assistance to families affected by autism during summer 2019 and into the future. 

TRADITIONAL MUSIC CONCERT FOR ADAM’S CAMP NI

A Traditional Music Concert will be held at the Duncairn Centre for Arts and Culture, Antrim Road, Belfast on Saturday 13 April 2019 from 7.30pm. This concert will raise funds towards the running costs of Adam’s Camp NI in 2019.

 The Performers

The following performers have very generously given up their time to perform in aid of the charity:

 ·     Sheila Ní Mhuirí, Martin, Paul, Sorcha and Patrick Meehan

·     Harry Bradley and Seamus O’Kane

·     Donál O’Connor

·     Edel Ní Churraoin

·     Stevie Dunne

·     Dianne Cannon

·     Good Morning to Your Nightcap

·     Aiden Walsh, Jarlath McTernan and Ruairí Cunnane

·     Lorraine O’Brien

·     Further special guests to be announced

 Sheila Ní Mhuirí, Martin, Paul, Sorcha and Patrick Meehan

Martin and Paul Meehan started their musical journey in Manchester under the tutelage of Michael McGoldrick, Angel Durkin and Peter Carberry. Paul was introduced to the guitar and banjo at the tender age of 8. Since their arrival in Ireland the brothers have become established figure heads in the traditional scene. Aside from playing with a myriad of bands Paul released his solo album, The Lower Road in 2015. Martin recorded his debut album, Three’s Company in 2007 and released a second solo album, The Fox’s Lament last year.  They are joined tonight by fiddle player Sorcha Meehan who compiled a book of original compositions, Ceol Sídroima in 2018. Patrick Meehan, on bodhran is currently studying under the tutelage of Niall Keegan in Limerick University. Síle Ní Mhuirí has played with a multitude of bands and ensembles over the years which serves to offer a flavour of diversity to her playing.  Síle and the Meehans have been playing in the Armagh area for many years and are delighted to be playing for Adam’s Camp NI. 

 Harry Bradleywas born in South Belfast. The vibrant recording heritage from the 1920s and 30s has had a huge influence on his flute-playing style as has the playing of musicians such as Seamus Tansey, Dessie Wilkinson and piper Seamus Ennis, to name but a few. Noted for his unique tone and driving rhythm, Harry has come to be recognized as one of the most distinctive flute players in Ireland today. He has toured internationally and recorded both as a soloist and with groups such as Cran and Altan. In 2014 he was the recipient of the TG4 Gradam Cheoil Traditional Musician of the Year Award.

Seamus O’Kane comes from Dungiven in Co Derry and is a renowned bodhran maker and player who has been playing for well over 40 years.  He has recorded extensively with a multitude of the leading exponents of traditional Irish Music and is well respected across the length and breadth of Ireland, Europe and beyond.  Having recorded several television documentaries on bodhran and harp making Seamus is very much in demand for concert performances, workshops and most importantly impromptu music sessions wherever he travels which keeps him fully immersed in the music.

 Dónal O’Connoris the son of celebrated fiddler Gerry O’Connor and revered singer Eithne Ní Uallacháin of Lá Lugh.  Dónal is a multi-instrumentalist and has established himself as one of Ireland’s leading producers.  As a musician and composer he has played and recorded with the likes of Liam Ó Maonlaí, Duke Special, Grainne Holland, Davy Spillane, Moya Brennan, Dónal Lunny, Steve Cooney, Mary Dillon, Cathal McConnell, Bob Brozman, Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh, John Spillane, Lumiere and Barry Kerr. Having inherited a musical legacy of at least five generations of fiddle playing he has toured the world from a young age as both a lead and backing instrumentalist with a number of bands including Lá Lugh, At First Light, Ulaid and the Irish song super group A Stór Mo Chroí. He has composed music for theatre, television and film and has presented music shows for BBC ALBA, BBC NI, TG4, BBC Radio Ulster and Raidio na Gaeltachta. 

 “O’Connor’s winning blend of pace and lyricism transmits his enthusiasm for the music directly to the listener with irresistible impact”– Herald Scotland

 Edel Ní Churraoingrew up immersed in the vibrant Connemara music and dance tradition. Edel plays the tin whistle, button accordion and piano and is also a vocalist and sean-nós dancer. She is a regular performer at music sessions and festivals all over Ireland and further afield. Having now lived in Belfast for several years, Edel has become established as a highly regarded accordion player and for her work at Radió Fáilte.

Stevie Dunne is regarded as one of Ireland's finest banjo players. Having recorded three critically acclaimed albums ‘About Time’, ‘Banjo’ and ‘Live at the Crosskeys Inn’ Stevie spends a lot of time teaching his style. Described as "energetic and Rhythmical" IMM 2011 Stevie's style is routed deep in the tradition without losing the character of the tune. Also an accomplished guitar player Stevie is delighted to be part of this wonderful cause.

Diane Cannonis a singer and musician from Meenlaragh, a small town outside the village of Gortahork in the heart of the Donegal Gaeltacht who also has been based in Belfast for a number of years now. Following the success of her first single ‘Seán Ó Duibhir a’ Ghleanna’ that was produced and recorded by Donal O Connor last year, Diane is currently working on recording her new album of contemporary and traditional music which is due to be released later this year.

Good Morning to Your Nightcapis a collaboration of 4 musicians from counties Antrim, Derry and Tyrone; Desy Adams, Ruadhrai O’Kane, Ryan O’Donnell and Paul Maguire. The band released their eponymous album in 2015 and currently Good Morning to Your Nightcap is preparing material to record a second album later in 2018.

Desy Adams(flute) was born and bred in Belfast, Co Antrim and is a fine exponent of the Northern style of flute playing. Desy started playing tin whistle in the 1980s before moving onto the flute. He spent time living in Denmark and Galway before returning to Belfast in the early 2000s. Desy played with traditional group Na Dorsa with whom he recorded a CD in the late 1990s and has also featured on the Wooden Flute Obsession CD. Desy has toured and played at many festivals throughout Europe and America.

Ruadhrai O’Kane(fiddle) comes from just outside Dungiven, Co Derry and has lived in Belfast since going to university in 1995. Ruadhrai played fiddle with traditional Irish music group Óige for around 10 years up to 2001. In this time the band produced 3 albums together and toured extensively through Ireland, UK, Europe and beyond. Ruadhrai recorded a live CD 'Roguery Road' with Belfast based concertina player, Jason O'Rourke, in 2004. More recently he has taught fiddle for BelfastTrad and played at several European festivals where he has also given workshops.

 Ryan O'Donnell(banjo / bouzouki / guitar) hails from Omagh, Co Tyrone and moved to Belfast to study at University in 2002. Ryan has played with the band Pigeon Top and played on several solo CDs with artists including Paul McGlinchey, Stevie Dunne, Michael McCague and Shane McAleer. Ryan performs at many festivals in the traditional music calendar and has performed in many countries across Europe and the USA.

Paul Maguire(bodhran) is a Belfast native who is well known within traditional music circles as ‘The Brother’. Now retired, Paul spent several years in his youth traveling the high seas exploring far-away lands which developed his appreciation for music and culture. He has played the bodhran for over 30 years and is a veteran of many fleadhs and festivals. Paul has developed a very distinctive, unique playing style which although unconventional is highly effective.

“The last couple of years have seen the emergence of some cracking Irish collectives, and this is no exception – it is exceptionally good.” – The Living Tradition

Aiden Walshis a banjo player hailing from Tubbercurry in South Sligo, an area renowned for its unique style of Traditional Music. His foray into traditional Irish music began at a young age; he started on the whistle but later moved onto the Tenor Banjo, mainly learning from Tommy Finn, Peter Horan and Paddy Ryan. Aiden moved to Belfast in 1995 and has been a regular on the local traditional scene since. He has played with various bands throughout Ireland and Europe and has also performed on both radio and television programmes on BBC and TG4.

Jarlath McTernanhails from Co. Sligo and has been playing the Uilleann Pipes from the age of twelve.  He has performed with a variety of artists over the years including the mighty Dervish, Michael Flatley’s Lord of the Dance, Seamie O'Dowd and other leading Irish Music luminaries. Jarlath has been based in Belfast for several years where he performs regularly within the traditional music scene and is noted for his extensive repertoire of fine piping tunes.

Ruairí Cunnane is a gifted singer and guitarist from Meigh, County Armagh who often duets with Barry Kerr, and has performed at numerous festivals throughout Ireland and beyond. Together with Forkhill singer/songwriter Briege Murphy, Ruairí has performed at many folk festivals, and counts Planxty, Woody Guthrie and Neil Young among his musical influences. His music, while mainly traditional/folk, can incorporate elements of blues, rock and country also, creating an appealing mix of sounds for his eager audience.

Lorraine O’Briengrew up in Toonagh, Co. Clare and started learning music at  a young age on tin whistle from Frank Custy. At the age of 7 she began to learn concertina and was taught by Dymphna O'Sullivan, Terry Bingham and Noel Hill. She was very influenced by the music of her teachers and the music of local musicians. Lorraine grew up playing in pub sessions in Ennis, Miltown Malbay, Lahinch, Doolin and Lisdoonvarna and continued to play regularly in Co. Clare until she moved to Belfast in 2011. Lorraine works as a music therapist and teaches concertina in Belfast and Castlewellan, Co. Down. She is a tutor at the annual Willie Clancy Summer School in Miltown Malbay and the Consairtín festival in Ennis. 

Earlier Event: April 12
FIFTY