Traditional musicians from Stockton’s Wing, Beoga, Boxing Banjo, Bridín and more will perform on The Late Late Show
Taoiseach Micheál Martin and Kathryn Thomas will also join Ryan Tubridy on tomorrow’s Late Late Show.
This Friday night Late show will host a special TradFest music session featuring some of the country’s most famous Irish musicians.
TradFest 2022 runs from January 26-30 at Temple Bar, Dublin. The festival aims to celebrate Irish identity through traditional music, bringing established and emerging talent together for a brilliant annual event. Having started in 2005, the event has grown to attract international crowds.
Mike Hanrahan from Stockton’s Wing, Niamh Dunne from Beoga, Dara & Mick Healy from Boxing Banjo, Bridín, Mairead Ni Mhaonaigh from Altan as well as Séamus & Caoimhe Ui Fhlatharta are among the musicians who will perform during the show.
Stockton’s Wing was formed in 1977 by four All-Ireland Champion Musicians. The current line-up includes Paul Roche on flute/whistle, Maurice Lennon on fiddle, Tommy Hayes on bodhran and Kieran Hanrahan on banjo/mandolin. The band released their self-titled debut album in 1978, followed by the 1980s Trying your luck. Overall, the group has shared 14 collections, live albums and studio albums. The most recent is from 2020 A Big Deal: A Stockton’s Wing Retrospective.
Folk stars Beoga were formed in County Kerry in 2002 at the All-Ireland Fleadh, although the four original band members hailed from Antrim and Derry. The line-up includes Damian McKee on accordion, multi-instrumentalist Seán Óg Graham, pianist Liam Bradley and Eamon Murray on bodhrán. Niamh Dunne, from Limerick, joined the band in 2005, on vocals and fiddle.
Comprised of four accomplished Irish musicians, Boxing Banjo are one of the most exciting bands on the Irish traditional music scene. Together they evoke a unique blend of traditional Irish music and songs, old time music and bluegrass. Combining a myriad of instruments, their high-energy performances encapsulate a raw passion for their music.
Altan’s origins span 30 years, beginning in Donegal. In 1987, lead singer Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh and her husband Frankie Kennedy came together to form a trad/folk band and have since released 12 studio albums. Bridín is a contemporary folk harpist/singer/composer from Sligo. His new virtual EP “Ocean of Stars” is out now.
Following further changes to Covid restrictions and the continued high number of infections across the country, Taoiseach Micheál Martin will provide an update on the current situation in the management of the Covid-19 outbreak.
look The late show Friday evenings at 9:35 p.m. on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player.