Irish House Concert Series
Have you ever been to an Irish house concert? It’s the very definition of craic: the down-to-earth informality, intimacy, and fun of a neighborhood pub in Sligo, Cork, or Dublin.
For several years, world-class musicians have taken detours on the Irish trad circuit of New York, Atlanta, and New Orleans to perform underground right here in Charleston. Meeting in private homes, a word-of-mouth community of folk music lovers and Irish Americans have hosted the best fiddlers, flutists, banjo players, guitarist, harpists and singers playing traditional Irish music today.
Now in an intimate series of public concerts the College of Charleston is teaming up to bring these musicians out from underground. We’ve got one of the best homes in town—the beautiful Blacklock House on Bull Street—where you’ll find the best craic in Charleston. These informal gatherings will highlight the best trad music in the world and give patrons the opportunity to mingle with the players. You don’t have to travel to New York to hear the music in a big concert hall at NYU or Broadway. We’re bringing it to you in the close-knit setting of a living room. If you love music or love Ireland, you won’t want to miss the fun!
Friday, 23 August 2019, 6:30: Crann Ull
Rob Sharer on guitar, fiddle, flute, bodhran and vocals with Margaret Rush on guitar and vocals. Comprised of a Dublin native now residing in Raleigh and a Raleigh native who once resided in Ireland, Crann Úll plays a spectrum of traditional Irish material. Lush ballads sung in the Irish language are followed by thoughtful instrumentals and slashing dance tunes to make for an exciting and evocative Celtic experience.
Sunday, 8 December 2019, 1pm: The Last Rays of Sunday
If it’s Irish traditional music you’re looking for, look no further—you can count on The Last Rays of Sunday to always deliver a brilliant assortment of Irish tunes and songs in “pure drop” fashion. Three highly accomplished traditional musicians seamlessly blend their many talents when they join forces as “The Rays”— Megan Bennett Irby (vocal, bodhran), Don Penzien (guitar, whistle), and Bella Issakova (fiddle)—and they never fail to delight their audiences no matter the setting!
Saturday, 18 January 2020, 6:30: Colin Farrell, Dave Curley, & Ashley Davis
Ashley Davis is an international recording artist and songwriter whose unique style and blending of genres has drawn acclaim throughout the music world. As both writer and performer she has collaborated with traditional music greats such as Paddy Moloney, Sara Watkins, John Doyle, Eileen Ivers & Moya Brennan and was featured as the guest artist on Lúnasa’s 2017 & 18 Christmas tour.
Ashley will be joined by renowned traditional fiddle player Colin Farrell who has made a name for himself performing and recording with an array of iconic musicians in Europe and the U.S., including such groups as Flook, Grada, Karen Casey, John Doyle, Tim O’Brien, The Elders, Julie Fowlis, The Michael McGoldrick Band and is currently playing with the band Lúnasa.
Rounding out the trio is Dave Curley, a multi-instrumentalist, singer and dancer from Corofin, Co. Galway, who regularly performs with Grammy Award-winner Moya Brennan of Clannad among other acclaimed groups. Dave has also recorded with producer Donal Lunny and Grammy Award-winners Ron Block, Jeff Taylor and Buddy Greene.
Sunday, 17 May 2020, 1pm: Davey Mathias & Turlach Boylan
[more details to come]
Ticket Information
Please go to the Irish House Concert Series at the CofC Marketplace. For more information about the LILT concert, please email Joe Kelly