Spink Comhaltas kick off their 2017 Summer Seisiún series on Wednesday July 5 in Heritage House Museum, Abbeyleix at 8pm.
This series will run for 7 Wednesdays during July and August – on 5th, 12th, 19th, 26th July, and 2nd, 9th and 23rd August, and each seisiún runs between 8pm and 10pm.
The format is an open house, welcoming all local and visiting musicians, singers, dancers and story-tellers. It will feature musicians from Spink Comhaltas and the other Comhaltas branches across Laois, as well as musicians from further afield.
“Bring your instrument if you feel like playing, or if not, just bring yourself and enjoy 2 hours of first class music. Visitors from abroad are especially welcome. Last year’s event featured visitors from across Ireland, the UK, Spain, France, Italy, Germany, and the USA,” said Spink Comhaltas secretary Lawrence Vesey.
Admittance is free, but donations are accepted.
“The venue – Heritage House Museum – is an old school house in the picturesque heritage town of Abbeyleix which is now home to, among other fascinating items, carpets from the same factory as those on the ill-fated Titanic. Heritage House is a first class location for such events, featuring good acoustics and a charming atmosphere,” Mr Vesey said.
“Highlights of our 2016 series were posted on Spink Comhaltas Facebook page, and we hope to have the same level of international interest in 2017 that they enjoyed in 2016,” he said.
“All of our performances attracted great reviews, but one in particular went viral reaching almost 1/2 million people around the world, with in excess of 170,000 views,” Mr Vesey said of the performance below.
The performance of the musician in question inspired poetry from Mark Simos.
Faraway Eyes
She has the gaze – the faraway eyes
Moments of delighted surprise
The god’s wind at her leaning back
Sparking splash of each note’s attack
She has the flicker of tip and cut
The heartbeat heel of the tune’s gavotte
She swims in the river that courses free
The old pulse – gift of the lifted knee
Ornament’s oracle – bellows’ wheeze
Sunlight’s quaver-light through the trees
She’s youth’s quick fingers serves ancient call
I listen! One moment – not lost, hope all.
© 2016 Mark Simos / Devachan Music (BMI).
“So whether you’re in Laois or online, céad míle fáilte, and welcome to Spink Summer Seisiúns in Abbeyleix and on Facebook,” Mr Vesey said.
SEE ALSO – In Pictures: Glorious day for tractor run in Fisherstown
