Càirdean,

Two great Irish traditional musicians are coming to the Maryland area this month. Caitlín Nic Gabhann and Ciarán Ó Maonaigh are exciting musicians on their own. Together they are particularly dynamic.

Caitlin has won the All-Ireland championships three times on the concertina, and is also an accomplished stepdancer, touring the world with Riverdance.

Ciarán Ó Maonaigh is a fiddle player from Gaoth Dobhair, County Donegal. A grandson of Proinsias Ó Maonaigh (a.k.a. Francie Mooney), and nephew of Mairead Ni Maonaigh of Altan, he was the 2003 TG4 Young Traditional Musician of the Year.

Caitlín and Ciarán have three shows in our general area.

They will be at a house concert in Baltimore, Maryland on 24 February:

http://www.bandsintown.com/event/9242807?artist=Caitl%C3%ADn+%26+Ciar%C3%A1n&came_from=127&fb_ref=Default

In York, Pennsylvania on 25 February:

https://www.facebook.com/events/1401332803501295/?ref_newsfeed_story_type=regular

And in Frostburg, Maryland on 26 February

http://www.bandsintown.com/event/9242807?artist=Caitl%C3%ADn+%26+Ciar%C3%A1n&came_from=127&fb_ref=Default

Check out their video below:

We just ran across a fascinating advanced course in Scotland for Gaelic speakers that explores the links between the Scottish Gaelic language and environment. Àrainneachd, Cànan Is Dualchas, (which means “environment, language and heritage”) teaches students to recognize plants and animals by their Gaelic names, and in their natural habitats. In other words, it’s not such classroom learning. Daily excursions take students into a variety of habitats. Plus, students learn about ecology, and about traditional uses and folklore associated with native species.

You might be thinking, “Great course – but I’m not in Scotland and I’m a beginning learner.” The site contains several vocabulary lists focused on the landscape, animals, and plants, which are very useful to all learners.  To check it out Click Here.

There won’t be an haggis hurling, but at this year’s celebratory tribute to the life, works and spirit of the great “Scottish Ploughmen Poet”, Robert Burns (1759-1796) at Liam Flynn’s Ale House, 22 West North Avenue in Baltimore there will great live music, poetry readings, whiskey tasting, and a great dinner of Scotch Broth soup, haggis, neeps & taddies, kale salad, and dessert.

Seating starts at 5pm. Admission is $30, inclusive of the full dinner and entertainment.

It’s a grand time every year.

RSVP by calling Liam at (443)956-1702, or by clicking on the Burns Night image below.

Fàilte Càirdean!
Spring is finally really here – flowers are out in abundance, and we’re having chilly, breezy days. It’s a great time to do something new, and we are recruiting new students to the class.  If you are of Scottish, Irish, or Manx descent, Gaelic is in your blood.

JOIN US AT THE NEXT GAELIC CLASS

Mo Càirdean,

THE NEXT GAELIC CLASS

THE NEXT GAELIC CLASS