Album Launch – Patsy Maloney / Caitlín Nic Gabhann and Ciarán Ó Maonaigh

Limerick born flute player Patsy Moloney, who has lived in Birmingham for many years and is an influential member of the thriving Irish music scene in the City, makes a welcome return to the Festival. He visited us last year with accordion player John Regan, to launch their album of duets. Since then, Patsy, Senior All Ireland winner in 1977, has recorded his debut solo flute album, The Temple in the Glen and we are delighted that he will be launching it at Return to Camden Town.

Caitlín Nic Gabhann and Ciarán Ó Maonaigh launch their CD, Caitlín & Ciarán

Highly regarded musicians in their own right, Caitlín Nic Gabhann and Ciarán Ó Maonaigh have joined forces to create an exciting duo. A three times All-Ireland winner on concertina, Caitlín is a regular performer at festivals and in concert halls from North America all the way to Asia. Her compositions have been performed in the Cork Opera House and The National Concert Hall, Dublin and recorded in Ireland and abroad. She teaches concertina annually at summer and winter schools in Ireland, Europe and USA and has performed with the RTÉ Vanbrugh Quartet, Paddy Keenan, Liam Ó Maonlaí and for Presidents and Royalty around the world.

She is also an accomplished dancer and has toured the world with Riverdance. Her debut solo CD, Caitlín was voted the 2012 ‘CD of the Year’ by tradconnect.com and ‘top Irish traditional album of 2012′ by The Wall Street Journal.

A former recipient of the TG4 Young Musician of the Year award, fiddle player Ciarán Ó Maonaigh hails from the Gaoth Dobhair gaeltacht in Co. Donegal. His playing is influenced by his grandfather and teacher Francie Mooney, Altan members Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh and Frankie Kennedy, Derry fiddle player Dermot McLaughlin and the Donegal fiddle legend, John Doherty.

His first album, Ceol a’Ghleanna (The Music of the Glen) was released in 2004. Fidil, released in June 2008, was described by Irish Music Magazine as “One of the most challanging and beautifully austere albums of the last fifty years”. 3 was released in 2009 and was awarded a 5 star review and made CD of the week in The Irish Times. He released his fourth album, The Old Wheel of Fortune, in 2011.

Album Launch – 5pm – London Irish Centre – Free