Welcome to the Fleadh Nua Website

 
The Hounds of Ulster
 

The Hounds of Ulster was formed in the Newtownabbey area of Belfast in April 2006 and was originally known as The Col. Saunderson Corps of Drums.  The original concept was to create an indoor concert band specialising in traditional Ulster-Scots music.  While researching music in these early days the group recognised that their music had its roots in both traditional Scottish and Irish music.  Their repertoire quickly expanded to include jigs, reels, hornpipes, marches and slow airs.

In recognition of this diversity in music and the aims of the group it was agreed that a name change would be required.  The group was looking for a name which would not only be easily recognisible as representing Northern Ireland but would also be acceptable to both communities.  They finally settled on The Hounds of Ulster which just happened to be the title of one of the newer tunes introduced at that time. 

Over the last year the group has won many accolades within Northern Ireland for their unique style of music.  This is their first venture outside Northern Ireland but their aim is to take their music throughout Ireland and beyond.

See The Hounds of Ulster in concert at Glór Ennis on Saturday 25th May at 8.00pm.




The Hounds of Ulster Band
The Hounds of Ulster Band


 
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                                Sliabh Notes

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Sliabh Notes, the traditional group from the south-west of Ireland, features Dónal Murphy from Abbeyfeale, Matt Cranitch

from Cork, and Tommy O’Sullivan from Dingle. Since the group was formed in 1995, they have released three albums, and

have established an enviable reputation for their high-quality traditional music. They have played at many venues throughout

Ireland, and have also performed at major festivals, including Milwaukee Irish Fest, the largest Irish festival in the world,

North Texas Irish Festival in Dallas, Copenhagen Irish Festival in Denmark, Torino Festival in Italy, Camden Festival in

London, Castlewellan Celtic Fusion Festival, and Ballyshannon International Folk Festival. At all these events, Sliabh Notes

and their music, which has been described as ‘having a distinctive regional flavour but with international appeal’,

were given a very enthusiastic reception.

 

In the November 2000 issue of Irish Music Magazine, their performances at Milwaukee Irish Fest were reviewed by

Betsy Ener, Director of North Texas Irish Festival, and she had this to say;- “Sliabh Notes outstandingly represents

Ireland’s Sliabh Luachra region and they also get my award for one of the best Irish band names. I can only hope

they’ll be touring Stateside more often and very soon. I’m a fan but who wouldn’t be when the music is this good?”

 

At the heart of the Sliabh Notes sound is the playing of Dónal Murphy on accordion, and Matt Cranitch on fiddle, who in

the words of Paul Dromey, Folk Columnist of the Evening Echo, “have proved themselves to be one of the finest and

most electrifying Sliabh Luachra-style box and fiddle duos you could wish to hear.” Added to this is the versatile

guitar-playing and unique singing of Tommy O'Sullivan. The result is a dynamic mix of exciting traditional music that is

vibrant, powerful and compelling. Nuala O'Connor has said in the Irish Times; “It is difficult not to be carried away

by this music.”

 

Sliabh Luachra is well-known for its unique style of Irish traditional music, particularly its distinctive repertoire of slides

and polkas. The area has long been an inspiration and source of influence for Dónal, Matt and Tommy, and this is reflected

in their concert repertoire and recordings. Their most recent recording, Along Blackwater’s Banks (OSS CD 130),

includes some wonderful music from the area, as well as exciting tunes and songs from other sources. It also features

a number of special guests;- Kevin Burke, Steve Cooney, Matt Molloy, Brian McGrath, Colm Murphy, Liam Ó Maonlaí.

This album has been highly praised, and has received much critical acclaim, including the following;-

 

“… these reels take on new life and luster in the brilliant playing afforded them here by Sliabh
Notes … This is one that should not be missed.” – Sally Somers Smith, Irish Music Magazine.

 

“One of the best albums to be released this year so far comes form Sliabh Notes.” – Irish Post.

 

“Magnificent.” – Siobhán Long, Irish Times.

 

“Past, present and future of Irish music, all encapsulated in one single album.”

                                                                                                                – http://worldzone.net/music/rudall/

 

“And the result is one of the must-have albums, not just of 2002, but of all time.”

– Pay The Reckoning, www.geocities.com/paythereckoning/reviews.html#sliabh

    – Pay The Reckoning, www.geocities.com/paythereckoning/reviews.html#sliabh