Musicians thrill crowd with traditional tunes
LOUTH ALBUM LAUNCH IS 'PACKED TO THE RAFTERS'
Jim MacArdle and other local musicians perform some of the tunes and songs from the new album of traditional Louth tunes.
Wednesday July 28 2010
'PACKED to the rafters' is the way musician Jim MacArdle described the Droichead Arts Centre at the launch of a unique album of traditional tunes from Louth .
The event took place on Tuesday July 13th and 'Madam, I'd like to be tossin' your hay', a selection of traditional tunes and songs from mid and south Louth, was greeted by a large and enthusiastic audience.
'We were delighted so many came,' says Jim, who along with local musicians Mick Dunne and Eilis Quinn performed a selection from the album, which were collected in the Drogheda/Ardee area in the 1970s and 80s.
'The arts centre was done out really well, with a little stage in the corner of the bar area, and we were thrilled to have two additional musicians from Tyrone, Peter Farrell and Hughie Grogan. as guests, as well as Gerry Cullen and Stuart Carolan from closer to home.'
Sales were brisk on the night for the album, which is available from Droichead Arts Centre and also from Jim directly by phoning 087-233 7702.
The group will also be included in the line-up at the All Ireland Fleadh in Cavan on August 21st, where they have been invited to play at a special night of Louth music.
'It's hard to be objective about what an album is like when you've been so closely involved in the making,' says Jim, 'but everyone has been very complimentary so far, so we must be doing something right!'
Drogheda Independent editor Hubert Murphy reviews 'Madam, I'd like to be tossin' your hay' in The Diary on page 14.
- Alison COMYN
