Handed Down going Up to Scart

Handed Down organiser, PJ Teahan pictured during a recent filmed session at Sheila Prendiville's Bar & Grocery with fellow musicians, Mick Culloty (left) and Tom O'Connell. ©Photograph: John Reidy 7-8-2014 — Handed Down organiser, PJ Teahan pictured during a recently filmed session at Sheila Prendiville’s Bar & Grocery with fellow musicians, Mick Culloty (left) and Tom O’Connell. ©Photograph: John Reidy 7-8-2014

A new and exciting series of informative performance / talks on the traditional music of the Sliabh Luachra area will kick off in Scartaglin on Saturday, September 13^th.

The initiative has been taken by Castleisland native, PJ Teahan in conjunction with the Scartaglin Heritage Centre.

Mr. Teahan is also responsible for the highly successful ‘World Fiddle Day’ celebrations in the area over the past two summers and is set to broaden his canvass with the new season of Scart gigs. The series is set to continue right throughout the winter and on a monthly basis. It will culminate in a fiddle recital at the heritage centre in the village on May 16^th.

The series will comprise of talks, punctuated by old recordings, videos and stories of the musicians from the area who have passed away. There will be video clips of Scart’s famous Fleadh Cheoil down through the years which was held there from 1966.

Paudie O'Connor the Ballyhar born box-player pictured here with Paul de Grae. Paudie will open the Handed Down sessions in Scart on Saturday, September 13th. ©Photograph: John Reidy 13-1-2005 — Paudie O’Connor, the Ballyhar born box-player, pictured here with Paul de Grae. Paudie will open the Handed Down sessions in Scart on Saturday, September 13th. ©Photograph: John Reidy 13-1-2005

“We are honoured and grateful to the many, well known musicians who will anchor one Saturday night in each month till next May. All rose to the challenge as soon as they were asked and we’re looking forward to a lively nine months of entertainment in an ideal setting,” said PJ.

Box-player, Paudie O’Connor will open the series on September 13^th with a talk on Scartaglin musicians and their stories.

Nicky McAuliffe, fiddle on October 4^th will talk on Castleisland and Cordal musicians. Fiddle player, Geraldine O’Callaghan will take the stage on November 15^th with a talk on the Murphys of Lisheen, Gneevguila.

Brian O’Leary, box player, historian and recent TG4 Young Musician Award winner is up on December 20^th and he will remember his colourful grand-dad, Johnny O Leary.

Matt Cranitch, fiddle, on January 24^th will talk on competing at Scartagin Fleadh Ceoil; Mickey Duggan and visits to the area since the 1970s.

Danny O’Mahony, boxplayer and broadcaster is on February 14th. He’ll talk on the music of Tom Carmody, North Kerry music and other stories.

Emma O’Leary, fiddle, on March 14^th will talk on field trips in Sliabh Luachra. Nicky McAuliffe returns on April 11^th with Kerry’s own Paddy Cronin.

All the presenters will be supported on their nights by fellow musicians and a guest singer. Admission is set at: adults €6 and children €3.

The series will act as fundraiser events for a ‘Fiddle Recital Concert’ on May 16th in the Heritage Centre in Scartaglin.