'Scoil Cheoil an Earraigh,' a new traditional music series from TG4

Lovers of traditional music are in for a treat with the announcement of a new music series airing on TG4. The new performance driven music series brings the best of music from West Kerry and further afield to our screens.  

Scoil Cheoil an Earraigh is a traditional music school in Baile an Fheirtéaraigh in the west Kerry Gaeltacht of Corca Dhuibhne and for 20 years musicians and singers have been flocking to this tiny village in February to celebrate and share the musical heritage of the area.  

Performers from all over Ireland and beyond meet to teach, collaborate, share and perform and they are joined by music lovers of all ages.

The series presents highlights of concerts recorded in front of live audiences in West Kerry, combined with specially curated intimate performances recorded in various locations in Corca Dhuibhne during the festival in February 2024.

"Scoil Cheoil an Earraigh" is presented by broadcaster and musician Pádraig Ó Sé, well known for his work on radio as well as his music with the renowned Polca 4. 

Musician and broadcaster Pádraig Ó Sé presents. Credit: TG4

West Kerry musicians are very much to the fore in the first program from Scoil Cheoil an Earraigh and presenter Pádraig Ó Sé takes the opportunity to showcase his talent along with his family ‘Muintir Shé’ joined by guitarist Kyle Macaulay.

Also featured in the first program are West Kerry-based performers Niamh Varian-Barry and Peter Staunton, members of the band Super Céilí, on fiddle and box, and singer Ciarán Ó Gealbháin, formerly of Danú, is joined by multi-instrumentalist Caoimhín Ó Fearghail. Acclaimed Dingle musicians Aoife and Deirdre Granville share wren tunes on fife as well as other pieces from the area on harp and flute.

Also appearing in the first program of the series are young musicians Pádraig Mac Suibhne, Déithín Ní Fhatharta and Siún Ní Eartáin from the Donegal, Conamara and West Kerry Gaeltachts.

The series continues with some special performances from a combination of local, national and international artists. Singer and musician Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh is joined by Dónal O’Connor and Gerry O’Beirne in programme 2 which also features English musicians Owen Spafford and Will Allen, uilleann pipe maker Cillian Ó Briain with Bríd Donnelly and Nicole Ní Dhubhshláine with Robert Creed. 

Pádraig Ó Sé, and his family ‘Muintir Shé’. Credit: TG4

Dublin piper Mick O’Brien is featured in episode 3 alongside long-time musical partner, Caoimhín Ó Raghallaigh of The Gloaming fame. Singers Sláine Ní Chathalláin and Conchubhar Ó Luasa also appear in this episode as well as Scottish Pipers Ailean Domhnullach and Bríghde Chaimbeul. This program also features a special performance by up and coming singer from Belfast, Doireann O’Connor.

The series continues weekly bringing us performances from the new band ‘Cuas’ featuring Méabh Ní Bheaglaoich, Nicole Ní Dhubhshláine, Niamh Varian-Barry and Kyle Mac Aulay, much loved accordion player from East Galway, Anne Conroy-Burke, and co-founder of the Scoil Cheoil an Earraigh school and festival, Breanndán Ó Beaglaoich appearing with his daughter Clíodhna Ní Bheaglaoich and guitar maestro, Steve Cooney.  

The series features a host of other musicians and singers including Dingle’s Éilís Ní Chinnéide with Gerry O’Beirne, Karoliina Kreintaal from Estonia, legendary fiddle player and composer Connie O’Connell from Cill na Martra, Ferdia and Fiachna Ó Mongáin with Marie and Tim McHugh from Mayo, Éamonn & Colm Ó Meachair from Cúil Aodha, Andy Ó Súilleabháin from Kenmare and young fiddle players Aisling Ní Chléirigh and Méabh Ní Chonaill as well as a host of others.

The series also includes a special program called ‘Beir mo Dhúthracht’ featuring singers from West Kerry performing songs associated with the area and celebrating those who wrote the songs and passed on the tradition. Appearing in the programme, recorded in Tigh an tSaorsaigh in Baile an Fheirtéaraigh, are Ciara de Mórdha, Éibhlín Ní Cheárna, Sláine Ní Chathalláin, Páidí Mhárthain Mac Gearailt, Noelie Ó Maoileoin and Mossie Ó Scannláin along with performances from the archives by Seán de hÓra, Tomás Ó Mainín and Tom Mhaurice Ó Súilleabháin.

The show is produced by Aniar for TG4. 

"Scoil Cheoil an Earraigh" television series will be broadcast on TG4 and TG4.ie starting on Sunday, January 19 at 9.30pm.