Popular TV programme to come from Offaly pub this weekend
Programme from J.J. Hough’s in Banagher will be broadcast on Sunday night
THE traditional music series Geantraí served as a cornerstone in TG4's music programming for 17 years from 1996 until 2013 and the iconic series is making a comeback!
In this new thirteen-part series acclaimed singer and musician Ciarán Ó Gealbháin takes the helm as series presenter where he travels the length and breadth of the country to celebrate Ireland's vibrant music session tradition.
The sixth programme in the series will come from J.J. Hough’s in Banagher and will be broadcast on Sunday next February 11th at 10.30pm.
The artists who will feature in that programme will include BackWest, Michaela Keenaghan, Sharon Carroll, Ciara McKeogh, Jamie McKeogh, James Hogan, Pádraig Kinsella, Séamus Kinsella, David Kinsella, Richard Kennedy, Ciara Callanan-Ryan, Seán Ryan.
Geantraí captures Irish traditional arts and folk music in a relaxed session setting, highlighting the vital connection between performers and listeners. The series encapsulates the essence of sessions as cultural linchpins and social spaces, documenting Irish traditional and folk musicians in their natural and often preferred environment - the session.
Geantraí serves as a platform for both distinguished and emerging artists rooted in Ireland's music tradition, as well as paying tribute to the musicians and publicans that have helped to keep traditional arts and sessions alive to this day. This promises a distinctive and exciting night of music from each pub with musicians from the region featured in each episode. From Timoleague in West Cork to Dunkineely in Donegal, across to Ballisodare, County Sligo and to the village of Hollywood in Wicklow, the series covers music from across the entire island of Ireland.
Geantraí was the original showcase for traditional music on TG4 and the name and reputation of the series remains synonymous with traditional music, a reputation that will live on for future decades. The series carries an enormous legacy due to the quality of the series in days gone by and under the directorship of Paschal Cassidy, the legacy of Geantraí continues. Cassidy, a key member of the production team under the programme’s previous stewardship by Tony and Joe McCarthy (Forefront Productions). With his extensive experience in recording Geantraí programs in years gone by and series such as Hup and Cúltír (TG4) and most recently Seisiún (RTÉ), Cassidy’s skill as a director will bring a new flare and style to Geantraí that promises not only a treat for devoted fans but also a captivating introduction for new audiences who might like to experience traditional music brought to their screens at home.