Photo credit: Bridge Barker
Well-known fiddle player Tara Connaghan is to be honoured at the ‘Cup of Tae‘ traditional music festival this weekend.
The annual festival in Ardara opens this evening with a special concert, where Tara will be joined by many musical friends to mark her achievement.
The concert takes place in the Beehive Bar and will feature local and visiting musicians as well as a taster some of the SíFiddlers, Donegal’s All Star female fiddle group, which Tara is a member of. This concert is almost sold out so please contact Pat in the Beehive on 087 6900714 to book tickets.
Tara Connaghan is a well-regarded fiddle player from Glenties and has been playing in the traditional music scene for over 20 years. Along with fellow Donegal fiddler, Derek McGinley, she released a well-received recording in 2011, The Far Side of the Glen, focusing solely on the fiddle style and repertoire of south west Donegal.
She tours and plays regularly as a freelance musician and has featured on various TV, radio and CD recordings. After almost 10 years working in arts management, Tara returned home to Donegal in 2014 to work in the family construction business following the death of her father and she continues to play and work on creative projects.
And as is normal, the eminent artist, Stephen Bennet, has produced his stunning image of Tara.
Image by Stephen Bennett
The Cup of Tae festival, which runs all weekend, started as a celebration of the life of John ‘The Tae’ Gallagher while he was still alive, continuing to celebrate his memory each year as well as honouring a different guest each year.
Past guests include The Campbells, Bríd Harper, Danny Meehan, Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh to name a few.
Music classes in fiddle, accordion, uilleann pipes, tin whistle, flute and concertina will take place all day Saturday and Sunday, book tickets online or register on Friday evening / Saturday morning.
Some free recitals, sessions and concerts will be held throughout the weekend, on the streets, in the Heritage Centre and in the pubs.
