"Christy McNamara is participating in this festival both as musician (concertina & accordion) and as a photographer. His photographic exhibition at the Marino Church is well worth a visit during the festival, he takes poignant and powerful photographs of musicians with his insiders eye. He will open the concert with a few tunes, I might join him also as we are family and family is a major theme in this evenings concert. It’s very common for traditional music to be transmitted within the confines of families.
For this concert we have music from two legendary music families, the O Brian's and the Begley’s. Mick O Brien is one of the most highly regarded pipers in traditional music, the entire family are all accomplished musicians. Mick will be joined by his daughter Ciara who is violist and fiddle player. Early this year the world of traditional music experienced the loss of the great accordionist and singer Seamus Begley who had previously performed at this festival. He was a powerhouse of music and song and a major carrier of the musical tradition of west Kerry, bringing his music to audiences all over Ireland and the world. His family are all very fine musicians and will close this evenings concert with a rousing west Kerry memorial and celebration of their fathers life and legacy." - Martin Hayes
