The Trip to Sligo - a Magical Miscellany

This miscellany of the lyrical poetry of W B Yeats and the flowing fiddle playing of Michael Coleman brings two great masters of County Sligo together for the first time. The weaving of their talents is brought about in the show through failed attraction of an unlikely couple whose paths in life would contrive to keep them apart. The show takes place in Ceolaras, Gurteen on Thursday 16^th April next at 9pm.

The Trip to Sligo showcases the talents some of Sligo’s best-known award-winning amateur actors including Pat Feeley, Mary Walsh and Peadar Conway. Fiddle player, renowned fiddle player, Declan Folan features playing Coleman’s best-loved tunes and All-Ireland Fleadh Cheoil winner, Cliodhna Henry will perform some of Yeats poems that have been previously set to music. The project is the concept of Pat McCarrick who is also the director.

This performance is a one-off and interest is expected to be high so early booking is advisable. Booking is through Ceolaras in Gurteen on 071 9282599. The show forms part of Sligo County Council’s participation in the 2015 Yeats celebrations honouring the 150 anniversary of the poet’s birth. Grateful appreciation is also expressed to the Sligo Yeats Society for their help and support. Venue, Ceolaras, Gurteen on Thursday 16^th April at 9pm.
  

William Butler Yeats, born in 1865, is recognised as one of the greatest poets of the English language. His influence on subsequent poets has guaranteed W. B. Yeats an honoured place in the canon of English literature. Yeats's poetry, prose and drama have always been associated closely with Sligo. He was born in Dublin and educated there and in London; he spent his childhood holidays in County Sligo. Yeats was a driving force behind the Irish Literary Revival and, along with Lady Gregory, Edward Martyn, and others, founded the Abbey Theatre, where he served as its chief during its early years. In 1923, he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature as the first Irishman so honoured for what the Nobel Committee described as "inspired poetry, which in a highly artistic form gives expression to the spirit of a whole nation."

Michael Coleman was born in Knockgrania, in Killavil, near Ballymote in 1891. He left school in 1908 at the age of 17 years and continued to pursue his love of music. Then, in October 1914, when he was 23 years of age, Michael Coleman set sail for America with his friend John Hunt, where he was to spend the rest of his life. In 1921 he began his recording career with his first record on the Shannon label and later that year he recorded for the Vocation label. During the 1920's and 1930's Michael made approximately 80 commercial recordings with major recording companies, the last being in 1936.

 

Contact: Pat Mccarrick – 087 2512030 and mccarrickpat@gmail.com.

 
Download The Trip to Sligo poster (PDF) - 9,392 kbs

 

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