*Photograph: Bob Singer
Kilfenora musician, Sharon Howley will form part of the line-up of a TG4 show celebrating Irish women in music.
Airing on Sunday (January 31st) which is the eve of St Brigid’s Day, Ceol ó Kylemore provides the a musical celebration to coincide with the beginning of spring and the brighter days ahead.
This hour-long programme was recorded at the end of 2020 and features some of the best of women traditional musicians and singers. Moya Brennan of Clannad will be joined by many of TG4’s acclaimed Gradam Ceoil award winners, including Mary Bergin on whistle, Laoise Kelly on Harp, Josephine Marsh on accordion.
Singers Cathy Jordan, Pauline Scanlon with Nicola Joyce and Noriana Kennedy of The Whileaways, up-and-coming star Sibéal – the voice behind the pivotal performance piece ‘Mise Éire’ which was the centrepiece of the 1916 Rising commemoration in 2016. Caitlin Nic Gabhann on concertina completes the all-female line-up.
Sharon Howley will be on cello during the show. A tutor with Music Generation Clare, Sharon beganplaying cello at the age of 10 and is now regarded as one of the pioneers of cello within Irish Traditional Music.
A member of the Kilfenora Ceili Band, she credits her unique style of traditional cello playing to her deep immersion in Irish Music growing up, drawing on techniques from other Irish traditional instrumentalists to create an authentic ‘traditional’ sound.
Presented by traditional singer and harper, Síle Denvir, Ceol ó Kylemore – A Celebration of Women in Irish Music will include a specially-commissioned composition from Josephine Marsh on accordion with Liz and Yvonne Kane on fiddles and an ensemble finale featuring the full stellar cast. It airs at 9:30pm on Sunday on TG4.
