CALENDAR
September 29, 2015
Cancelling card doesn’t erase your credit history
September 29, 2015
The Young Irelanders are appropriately named – members are in their 20s and 30s.
But age doesn’t define the group; talent does. Traditional Irish music and dance runs through their veins.
The eight-person group has performed with Ireland’s greats: The Chieftains, Frankie Gavin & De Dannan, Martin Hayes, Mairtin O Connor, Lunasa and Michael Mc-Goldrick. Between them, they’ve won 16 All Ireland titles, four world titles and have entertained more world leaders than any Celtic band on the planet.
The Young Irelanders have toured as lead performers with “Riverdance” and Michael Flatley’s “Lord of the Dance.” They’ve also been soloists on PBS specials, shared the stage with Bono, have recorded with Rolling Stones’ lead guitarist Ronnie Wood and entertained at Sting’s exclusive private parties.
Now, locals can enjoy The Young Irelanders up close Tuesday, Oct. 6, at the Schrier Theatre in Morgan City, as part of the Community Concert Association of Morgan City’s current season.
The Young Irelanders are: Damien Mullane, accordion and melodeon; Colin Farrell, fiddle, whistles and vocals; Kieran Munnelly, flute, whistles, bodhran, snare and vocals; Stephen Markham, keyboard, piano, percussion and vocals; Sean O’Meara, guitar and vocals; Lisa Canny, lead vocals, harp and banjo; and dancers, Siobhan Manson and Cathal Keaney.
The group got its start to merge the significant creative ideas and talents of young Irish performers in the hope that they would attract more young people to the world of traditional Irish music in Ireland and throughout the world.
“It sometimes disheartens me when audiences outside of Ireland don’t get a chance to see and hear what our Irish culture is really about but are instead fed a derivative of the real thing,” producer Eric Cunningham told the Irish Independent. “When I put this group together I had a very clear objective; to find young performers who were evidently amongst the best exponents of Irish traditional music, song and dance in the world today.
“I am not exaggerating when I say I found them,” he said. “I can-
not imagine someone disputing this fact or hearing from someone who isn’t taken aback by the sheer talent inherent in this group. The task now will be to ensure as many people as possible are given the opportunity to witness the brilliance of these phenomenal performers.”
The Young Irelanders’ sound is described as eclectic, where traditional Irish, Celtic, folk, world, jazz, country and popular music come together to create a very unique and multi-faceted sound.
Individually, group members have exceled at their craft. Three of the members hold master’s degrees in music, and dancer Siobhan Manson has been the principle dancer with “River-dance” for 10 years. In 2014, he performed the role during a 5-month tour of China.
President of Ireland, the U.S., China, the Queen of England, Prince Albert of Monaco and Empress Michiko of Japan have enjoyed The Young Irelanders. Visitors to Radio City Music Hall, the Great Hall of the People of China, Kemlin State Palace in Moscow, the U.S. Capitol Building, Fix Theatre in Detroit and the Pantages Theatre in Los Angeles have all reveled in their shows. And now locals can experience the magic.
Tickets are $45 for adults and $10 for children, and are sold at the door. This season subscription also includes admission to the remainder of the 2015-16 shows – The Wonderful Wizard of Song on Feb. 25; Matt Dusk on April 19; and Savannah Jack on May 19.
The Young Irelanders give a fresh sound to audiences. The famous group will be in Morgan City on Oct. 6.
