Reminder: Waterford musician to feature in Christmas Day TV music special

A renowned Waterford musician will be the co-presenter of TG4's Geantraí traditional music show which will air on Christmas Day. 

Geantraí na Nollag, recorded in the iconic Campbell’s Tavern in Headford, will be presented by the new series presenter renowned Waterford musician Ciarán Ó Gealbháin and acclaimed singer and RTÉ Folk Award nominee 2022, Pauline Scanlon. The legendary Frankie Gavin and The Whileaways will be accompanied by some of the finest local talent where ceol, craic and collaborations will make for perfect Christmas Night viewing. 

The time of the show is slightly later than originally advertised. 

For 16 years the traditional music series Geantraí was the lynchpin of music programming on TG4 and after a decade long hiatus the series is back kicking off with Geantraí na Nollag on Christmas Day at 8.35pm. This one hour special gathers the cream of the country's traditional and folk music talent for a Christmas night celebration featuring Frankie Gavin, The Whileaways, Sorcha Costello and North Cregg.

This programme stands as a celebration of the living tradition and documents Irish music and musicians in their natural and often preferred environment - the session. Geantraí provided a platform and represented thousands of musicians over its 16 year run and it hopes to continue in this vein with a magical evening of song and music in the hallowed hall of Campbell's Tavern.

The legacy of Geantraí is being continued under the directorship of Paschal Cassidy, Director of Hedgerow Films, who was a key member of the production team under the programme’s previous stewardship under Tony and Joe McCarthy (Forefront Productions). Cassidy’s passion for and in-depth understanding of Irish traditional and folk music, combined with his extensive experience in recording Geantraí programmes in years gone by ensures that Geantraí will be reborn with the added advantage of modern film and audio technology.

Geantraí allows performers of Irish traditional arts and folk music to be recorded in the relaxed atmosphere of a traditional session and places the music and performers at the core of the production. The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the importance that the audience play in live music and Geantraí captures this relationship and connection between performers and listeners.  Hedgerow Films have recorded a number of episodes in recent months and hope to shine a light on some of Ireland’s lesser-known regions of traditional music as well as some stalworth locations across the country. 

Geantraí na Nollag  sees the Cork band North Cregg reunited to perform some punchy polkas. The Whileaways woo the crowd with their wondrous warming performance of In All Honesty. Frankie Gavin (fiddle, flute) and Conor Connolly (keyboard) feature with some fiery fiddle tunes and fabulous flute playing and the presenters, Ciarán Ó Gealbháin and Pauline Scanlon, gift us with graceful glowing collaborations with some musical friends.

The series return will come as a Christmas gift to music and culture fans length and breadth of the country and the programme will be the first in the new series return which will go to air in Spring 2023. Tune in to Geantraí na Nollag to relax and enjoy live music performed in front of a live audience and celebrate the festive season in unique fashion this Christmas. What better way to celebrate Christmas than to have the best of Irish traditional and folk music brought to your home at the click of a button on Christmas Day.