Irish Music At The Meeting House, Sat. Evening

On Saturday, February 3, at 8 pm, Newtown Meeting House will host a concert featuring the celebrated traditional Irish music duo of Gearoid O’hAllmhurain (pronounced “O’Halloran”) and Patrick Ourceau. Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for children.

Raised in County Clare, Ireland, Dr O’hAllmhurain is a five-time All-Ireland Champion, having won titles on both the concertina and Uilleann pipes. In addition to being considered by many the greatest concertina player resident in North America, he is also one of the world’s foremost folklorists on Irish music, and will be giving a free pre-concert lecture prior to the concert.

Patrick Ourceau is one of the world’s preeminent Irish fiddlers, specializing in the lyrical, flowing style of Dr O’hAllmhurain’s County Clare. Mr Ourceau will also conduct a fiddle workshop the afternoon of the concert at Fairfield Public Library.

Together the two musicians comprise one of the Irish music world’s greatest duos, with a melodic unison so tightly woven it is often difficult to distinguish one instrument from the other. Their 1998 CD release Tracin’ received widespread accolades from both sides of the Atlantic,

Dr O’hAllmhurain has been researching Irish music and folklife since 1973. His academic research and presentations on the impact of the great Famine and its Diaspora on Irish traditional music and culture had had him in demand throughout Ireland and North America. He will be offering a free lecture Saturday at 6:30 pm, also at the meeting house. All are welcome.

The concert is being presented by Shamrock Traditional Irish Music Society, the same group that presented a popular Irish music concert at the same location last year. For reservations or additional information, contact the music society at 203/256-8453 or visit the Web site www.shamrockirishmusic.org.

Newtown Meeting House is at 31 Main Street (Route 25), at the top of Church Hill Road and opposite Newtown’s landmark flagpole.