Popular BBC Radio Programme, Blas Ceoil, will be broadcasting live from the Cross Square Hotel this Friday evening for “Oiche na mBan” – a night of folk and traditional music to mark International Women’s Day.
There will be plenty of craic agus ceol, live interviews and some live performances from the wonderful line-up of guests at Oíche na mBan, headlined by County Kerry singer/songwriter, Pauline Scanlon.
An advocate of Fair Plé, which aims to achieve gender balance in the production, performance, promotion, and development of Irish traditional and folk music, Scanlon has been wooing audiences in Ireland from the tender age of 15 with her unmistakable vocal style. As featured vocalist with the Sharon Shannon Band for three years, as a solo artist, and as a member of vocal duo LUMIERE, Scanlon has entranced audiences the world over with her distinctly delicate intensity.
Organised by Colleen Savage, in conjunction with the Ring of Gullion Landscape Partnership, the night will also feature performances from renowned female artists including Flautist, Martha Guiney – recent recipient of the NI Arts Council Young Musician Platform Award; singer songwriter Briege Murphy; and singer and ambassador of the Songs of Oriel Bláithín McCann; as well as Elaine O’Sullivan, Sinéad Smyth Murphy, Noreen Morgan McManus, to name a few.
Bean an Tí for the evening will be BBC Radio Ulster presenter and Irish News columnist, Lynette Fay, who will also front the live radio broadcast.
Speaking to The Examiner about the upcoming traditional night, Colleen told us Oiche na mBan is just one of a number of events she and Una Walsh have organised with the support of the Ring of Gullion Landscape Partnership to mark International Women’s Day 2019.
“This is a fantastic opportunity to showcase the vibrant and flourishing talent of our local female folk and traditional artists alongside our visiting artist Pauline Scanlon.
“I am delighted that Lynette Fay and the Radio Ulster Team will be broadcasting Blas Ceoil live from the Hotel the hour before the gig begins from 7-8pm. It’s great PR for Crossmaglen and south Armagh. “
“This is the second sold out gig in recent times, the first as part of the Lúnasa Festival 2018, which seen John Spillane play to a packed out crowd in Úr Chill a’ Chreagain. Long may the local support for such events continue!”
Local events for International Women’s Day kick off with a talk entitled, ‘The Women’s Story’, by Una Walsh and visiting guest, Bernadette McAliskey, in the Cross Square Hotel at 7.30pm. During the day on Friday an open mic session, ‘Tell the story’ will take place in Crossmaglen Community Centre from 11-1pm.
Friday night’s Oiche na MBan promises to be an event not to be missed, kickstarting with the live Blas Ceoil broadcast from the front bar of the Cross Square Hotel from 7pm to 8pm, followed by the gig itself from 8pm to 11pm.
Tickets for the event are currently for sale via Eventbrite.
