Get your tickets here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/sinead-mckenna-album-launch-faoi-lan-ceoil-tickets-852221767247
One of seven siblings, multi-instrumentalist, and singer Sinéad McKenna from Augher, Co. Tyrone hails from a family steeped in Irish traditional music. Her music clearly signals her North Monaghan roots and draws its inspiration from her granduncles, fiddle players Pete and Pat McKenna. Echoes from master Ulster fiddle exponents Tommy Peoples and Ed Reavy resonate throughout this collection of fiery, raw traditional fiddle music and song.
Sinéad has performed extensively throughout Ireland, Europe, the USA, Dubai, and beyond. Recent highlights in her career include performing alongside a star-studded line-up of artists at the Tommy People’s Tribute Concert in the National Concert Hall, Dublin, at headline events at Belfast Tradfest and at The Pádraig O’Keefe festival.
As an established, young, up-and-coming artist, Sinéad has performed on various TV and radio platforms, including RTÉ, TG4 and on the landmark BBC documentary, "The Northern Fiddler." She has multiple all-Ireland medals from Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann, and also won the prestigious Ed Reavy International Fiddle Competition in 2019.
Since moving to Belfast to study, Sinéad has built a strong following in the traditional music community there, collaborating with the Duncairn Collective, and regular performances on Belfast’s trad trail and Ceol na mBan at Cultúrlann McAdam Ó Fiaich. In 2022, she was one of the inaugural recipients of The Belfast City Council’s Gradam Ceoil Bursary Award; this has given her the time and space to perform, collaborate, compose and record with highly respected musicians throughout Ireland and abroad.
Releasing in March 2024, Sinéad’s debut album ‘Faoi Lán Ceoil’ illustrates her authenticity, skill, and mastery of the fiddle. Her singing in both Irish and English marries haunting melodic lines with sensitive and colourful arrangements of traditional songs. Is ceannródaí í Sinéad a bhfuil mianach an cheoil inti, a saothar nua-chumtha den scoth fite fuaite lena sárthuiscint ar cheoil traidisiúnta agus ar amhráin mealltacha a sinsir.
Accompanied by Micky Fearon (Guitar) and Rachael Masterson (Piano), with guest appearances from her brother Peter McKenna (Uilleann Pipes), Oisín Murphy (Banjo) and Brendy Loughran (Concertina) this album breaks new ground and celebrates an emerging generation of dynamic McKenna fiddle players.
Sinead will be performing on here bespoke made Paul Bradley fiddle. Paul will be exhibiting in the market house his fiddles and his craft from 1pm on Saturday prior to Sinead McKenna’s album launch.
Paul Bradley - Fiddle Maker
Exhibition; 1pm Market House. Saturday May 4th
Paul Bradley graduated from Newark School of Violin Making thirty years ago. His instruments are played by outstanding traditional fiddle-players Declan Folan, Sinéad McKenna and Rory Healey. Rachel Rynne-Lyons, (First Violinist with City of Dublin Chamber Orchestra) plays a violin by Paul as her primary instrument.
Paul is a well known fiddle player, a tutor at Scoil Samhraidh Willie Clancy and Armagh Piper's Club.
He lives and works in Armagh City.