The Des Carty Summer School

Des Carty 1920-1996
Born in Tallaght, Des spent most of his life teaching the fiddle, whistle, banjo and mandolin. He has made a major contribution to the traditional music scene in Tallaght and outlying districts. His dedication in passing on that tradition is seen in the number of young(and not so young!) people playing music in the area today. One of the most striking features of Des'music was the vast repertoire and its variety marches, set dances, waltzes and many Scottish tunes which might have been otherwise neglected.
Martin Nolan
Martin Nolan is a highly respected and accomplished musician who has been playing the uilleann pipes for over twenty years. Born in Dublin, Ireland, it was here that he took his first lesson from John Keenan. Martin's playing is strongly influenced by the 'travelling style' of piping, which employs legato and staccato techniques, elements which are heard to great effect in his playing.
He has a wealth of playing experience behind him, touring both solo and emsemble throughout Europe and the UK, and in India, Australia, New Zealand and Canada. Recent performances include a concert at the Lincoln Centre for the Arts in New York, with Melanie O'Reilly, and a role as an on-stage musician in the "The Colleen Bawn," which played in the Abbey Theatre in Dublin in 1998 and 1999 and in London in 1999
In 1991, he released his first solo recording, Travel'n Style. As well as being part of the Irish traditional scene, Martin plays in a Dublin-based band, Khanda, which features the music of India, Eastern Europe, the Middle East and Ireland. In September 1977 Khanda launched their debut recording.
Niall Mansfield
Niall hails from Rathcoole, Co.Dublin, where he is a well known figure about the village as well as a Bodrán player (& maker), singer and storyteller. His travels over the years have added much to his musical repertoire and also his musical style. Niall was a member of the 'Echoes of Eire' band at the Abberley Court Hotel and is also a floating member of 'Fionn Uisce' and is a member of the 'Raiders of the lost Archives'. Niall is currently playing with Martin Nolan and John Ryan regularly in Smithfield, Dublin. Oh! And finally Е.. he's a champion at keeping them rolling ЕЕ..!
James'An Bheirneach'Byrne
James Byrne is regarded by many as a master fiddle player in what's become known as the Donegal style. Born in Glencolmcille, where every house was said to have a fiddle, he was taught to play at the age of eight by his father. James knew many of the great Donegal fiddlers of the past, like Con Cassidy, Micky Ban, Francie Dearg Byrne and John Doherty, and so came to play a vital role in passing on their repertoire of tunes and related folklore to the present day generation of fiddlers.
Over the years James has played in many venues throughout Ireland and has featured on TV and Radio, ie The Long Note, Pure Drop, Cornor house and the High Heel. He regularly teaches at the annual summer school in Glen and has inspired many players with his great gift for music and warm personality.
This is Jamsie's second year to come to the Des Carty Summer School. His workshop on the Donegal style of fiddle playing, is highly recommended for advanced players with a keen enthusiasm for this particular style of playing.
Conor Byrne
From Inchicore in Dublin, Conor has been playing since he was four years old. He released his debut album 'Wild Dancer' last year. He has performed all over Europe and the United States. He has played with people like Máire Breathnach, Eimear Quinn, Lara O Lionaird, Luka Bloom, Christy Moore, John Rebourn, Anuna and many more. In his flute classes he will be giving tips on breath control and ornaments as well as tunes. He prefers to teach by ear so it is advisable to bring a tape recorder.
Johnnie Moynihan
Johnnie Moynihan started as a singer and musician in the early 1960's and was founder member of the group "Sweeney's Men" who are acknowledged to be one of the great influences in the revival of Irish music in the 60's and 70's. In the early 1970's Johnnie joined the group "Planxty" with whom he recorded "A Cold Blow" and a "rainy night." He later joined "De Danann" and recorded "Selected" jigs, reels and songs.
Johnnie's solo performances retain and underscore the subletics and characters that distinguish traditional music and song. His original compositions reflect those values and humorous qualities of the Irish culture. Johnnie has toured Ireland, Europe, America and Africa for the past 30 years. Johnnie has appeared for Alternative Entertainments many times before.
Sean Garvey
Sean is originally from Caherciveen, Co. Kerry but he has been living in Tallaght since he was 18. As well as singing, Sean plays several instruments including the flute and banjo. He has recently returned from America where he participated in an artist exchange programme with the Arts Council of Ireland and will be playing in the National Concert Hall in July with Peter Brown, piper and producer from RTE Radio.
Sean also released his first solo album recently, entitled On dtalamh amach (Out of the Ground). He plays regularly with Johnnie Moynihan in the Cobblestones Bar in Smithfield.
Joe Burke
Joe Burke is among the greatest exponents of Irish Traditional Music. From East Galway, he is widely regarded as the Accordionist who started the hugh revival of interest in the instrument. Joe Burke's musical career has spanned nearly 50 years and has taken him from country halls and pubs in rural Ireland to the most prestigious concert halls worldwide. He has performed solo at Carnegie Hall, New York, the Royal Albert Hall in London: Unuesque Hall, Paris and the Great American Hall in San Francisco. Joe Burke's playing has influenced musicians not only from Ireland but also from places as diverse as Romania and Alaska.
Anne Conroy Burke
Anne Conroy Burke has been playing the Accordion since she was ten years old. From Wellpark Abbey in South East Galway, her early musical influences came from local musicians and her father Bernie Conroy, who is a noted fiddle player. Anne recorded two albums with Oisin on the Tara label entitled "The Jeannie C"and "Winds of Change". Over the years Anne has worked with musicians like Kevin Burke, Paddy Keenan, Paddy Glackin & Donal Linny. Anne's main instrument is the two row button Accordian and she is also acknowledged as a very competent Guitar accoompanist.
Gerry O'Connor
Gerry comes from the small village of Portroe in Co.Tipperary. It was here that he developed his love and extraordinary talent for Irish Music. Whilst in their teens, Gerry and his friend Manus Lunny rocked tradition in Dublin of the 80's. Later after a short spell touring with 'Wild Geese' and 'Arcady', Gerry recorded his first solo album 'Time to Time' in 1992.
Gerry joined 'Four men and a dog' in 1991 with whom he recorded three critically acclaimed albums. The band toured and performed at major festivals throughout Europe, Scandinavia, Canada, USA, Australia as well as high profile shows in Hong Kong, and China. December 1998 saw the release of Gerry's new album 'Myriad'.
Paddy Keenan
Paddy Keenan, one time member of the Bothy Band and the Pavies, has recorded with Arty McGlynn and Paddy Glackin amongst others. Described by Donal Lunny as "The Jimi Hendrix of the Pipes," Paddy is now pursuing a solo career. Currently living in Boston his new album Na Keen Affair is now out on the Hot Conya Records label. Besides touring the US, Canada and Europe, he has recently completed sound tracks for CD-ROMS and some movie work. Generally acknowledged as the most accomplished uileann piper performing today, Paddy is certainly one of the most brilliant musicians of his generation.
Paul de Grea
Paul de Grea was born in 1953 and became hooked on the Guitar at a very young age. In the 1960's he played in folk groups with school pals influenced by such groups as 'Pentangle' and the 'Incredible String Band'.
In the 1970's when not trying to copy the style of Ry Cooder and Richard Thompson, Paul was prompted by the recordings of De Danann and the Bothy Band to play Irish dance music on the guitar. In 1980 Paul move to Kerry where he became more involved in playing Irish Traditional Music on the guitar. In 1989 he published a tutor book called the 'Traditional Irish Guitar', which concentrates on developing an approach to accompaniment of Irish Music, based on the knowledge of typical tune structures and using simple harmonic theory to give variety to the Chord sequences.
Paul featured on the 'Long Note' (RTE Radio) in 1990 and also gave Master Classes and Recitals for Alternative Entertainments Tallaght Traditional Music Seminar 1990.
Antaine O'Fearachtáin
Originally from Dublin, he sings in a traditional style, in both Irish and English and has been a guest singer on several recordings by other artists. He composes songs, 'luibini' and 'agallaimh beirte' (i.e. Songs and recitations performed by two artists in reply to each other).
Antaine organises a cultural festival called Sean Nos Cois Life which seeks to promote and encourage an appreciation of traditional singing in the Irish Language.
He was a singer with the group 'Vox Gadelica' put together by Michael O'Suilleabhain for the performance of his newly composed piece titled 'Lumen', which was performed during the '95 Eurovision, and also in the work composed by Charlie Lennon, titled 'Island Wedding', which was performed on the stage of the National Concert Hall in Dublin.
Maire O'Keefe
Fiddle player Maire O'Keefe comes from Tralee, Co. Kerry. Her introduction to traditional Irish music was through local fiddler , Maire bean Ui Ghriofa and Castle Island musician Nicky McAuliffe. Moving to Dublin in the late seventies brought Maire into contact with a wide variety of musicians and musical styles. One such musician was the the Derry fiddle player Dermot McLoughlin, who introduced her to the music of the strongly fiddle based traditions of Donegal, Shetland and Scotland.
In 1994 Maire released her first solo album 'Coisir' in Cape Breton. Previous recordings include, 'Mna na Eireann' with Macalla,'The week before Easter' with Kevin Connif and 'Many's a wild night' with accordian player Jackie Daly
Maire has become a valued regular at Alternative Entertainments Seminars and Summer Schools
Joe Mac Donncha
Ó cheantar na Cheathrún Ruaidh I gConamara ó dhúchas, tá sé ag obair agus ina chónaí I mbaile Átha Cliath le deich mblina anuas, Tá duaiseanna Oireachtais faighte dá chiud amhránaíochta agus ghlas sé páirt l gCuairt na bhFilí go hAlbain l 1997. Tá spéis faoi leith aige sna hamhráin a bhfuil rithim tapaidh leo agus cé gur as Conamara é tá spéis faoi leith aige in amhráin Chúige Mumhan.
From Carraroe in Co.Galway originally but living and working in Dublin now for ten years. Joe has won several prizes for his singing at the Oireachtas in 1997 he participated in the visit to Scotland by Irish poets. He is very interested in songs that have a fast rhythm, but he also likes the singing from the province of Munster.
Fintin Vallely
Flute player and Freelance journalist, Fintin has been associated with Alternative Entertainments for several years. He is currently writer of a column for the Sunday Tribune. He is also author of "Companions to Irish Traditional Music", which is now available in the shops. The first of it's kind, this book takes a comprehensive look at Irish Traditional Music. Fintin plays regularly with Singer/Accordionist Tim Lyons.
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