Ireland In Music (TV programme)

Ireland In Music

Ireland In Music is a visually stunning television programme showcasing a mixture of traditional folk songs and original material by Irish musicians at iconic locations around the country.

Background

The show was conceived in mid-2020 following conversations between director Donal Scannell of Born Optimistic and the team behind TradFest, with series one filmed during the early stages of Covid-19 lockdowns.

It was first broadcast on RTÉ One on December 29th, 2020, and has been subsequently broadcast on 19 television stations in 41 countries around the world.

Scannell credits TradFest with ensuring artists had a platform on which to perform as the pandemic took hold, with the show going from strength to strength since.

“They started this because they wanted to showcase Irish musicians abroad. They knew Irish artists couldn’t tour and wanted to find a way to open new avenues for them. When the whole world was shrinking its outlook, TradFest went bigger. As everything else shut down, they opened up a new world of possibility.”

Ireland In Music is produced by TradFest in association with Born Optimistic, The Temple Bar Company, RTÉ, the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, Fáilte Ireland, Tourism Ireland and a number of local authorities.

Locations

The work of Ireland’s finest musicians is complemented by breathtaking aerial footage of the country’s most beautiful and well-known locations. The gorgeous music is captured against the backdrop of spectacular Irish landscapes and landmarks for an unforgettable viewing experience, including the likes of:

• Adare Manor, Co. Limerick
• Athlone Castle, Co. Westmeath
• Cliffs of Moher, Co. Clare
• Giant’s Causeway, Co. Antrim
• Lough Boora, Co. Offaly
• Malin Head, Co. Donegal
• Navan Fort, Co. Armagh
• Newgrange, Co. Meath
• St. Stephen’s Green, Co. Dublin
• Temple Bar, Co. Dublin

Performances

Series One

Ailbhe Reddy, Clannad, Delush & Tolu Makay, Denise Chaila, Hothouse Flowers, Jealous Of The Birds, Kila, Lisa Hannigan, Mark Redmond, Mundy, Rosie Carney, Saint Sister, The Stunning, Wallis Bird

Series Two

Damien Dempsey & Éamonn de Barra, Dark Tropics, David Donohue and Adrian Crowley with Jon O'Connell, Imelda May, Irish Women In Harmony feat Aimee, Erica Coady, Felispeaks & RuthAnne, Moxie, Niamh Regan, Skippers Alley & Edwina Guckian, Stephen Rea & Louise Mulcahy, Strange Boy with Hothouse Flowers, Tolü Makay, Enda Gallery & Clare Sands, Villagers, Whenyoung, Willzee & Luka Bloom, Wyvern Lingo

Series Three

Denise Chaila & Sharon Shannon - Ireland In Music

Ailbhe Reddy, Bridín, Cathy Jordan, Celaviedmai, Clannad & Denise Chaila, Cry Monster Cry, Damien Dempsey & Éamonn de Barra, Dark Tropics, David Donohue & Adrian Crowle with Jon O’Connell, Denise Chalia & Sharon Shannon, Enda Gallery & Clare Sands, Enda Gallery & Tolu Makay, Ger Walsh, Hothouse Flowers, Imelda May, Imelda May & Niall McNamee, Kellie Lewis, Kila, Larry Beau & Seana Davey, Mark Redmond, Moxie, Mulcahy Family & Ryan Owens, Mundy, Na Mooneys, Naimee Coleman & Max Greenwood, Paddy Casey feat Kim Hayden, Niamh Regan, Rónán Ó Snodaigh, Samantha Mumba, Sarah O'Gorman, Shiv, Skippers Alley & Edwina Guckian, Stephen Rea & Louise Mulcahy, Stockton’s Wing & Emma Langford, Strange Boy, The Stunning, Tolu Makay, Villagers, Irish Women in Harmony feat Aimee, Erica Coady, Felispeaks, RuthAnne, Whenyoung, Willzee & Luka Bloom, Wyvern Lingo, Xona

Series Four

Ailbhe Reddy & Niamh Regan, Altan With Emily & Thomas Collangelo, Bonny Light Horseman, Boxing Banjo, Boxing Banjo & James Greenan, Caoi De Barra & Stevie Appleby, Clann Uí Flatharta, David Keenan, Edwina Guckian & David Munnelly, Glen Hansard, Glen Hansard & Breanndán Ó Beaglaíoch & Paddy Hayter & Zoe Hayter, Glen Hansard & Breanndán Ó Beaglaóich, Jealous Of The Birds, Kila, Myles O’Reilly & Rónán Ó Snodaigh & Liam Ó Maonlaí & Amano, Niamh Bury & Eoghan Ó Ceannabháin, No. Crows feat Steve Wickham, Robert Grace & Gemma Bradley, Rosie Carney, Ruth Charles & Colm Ó Snodaigh, Saint Sister, Seba Safe, Sinead O’Brien, Soda Blonde & Shobsy, Tadhg, The Next New Low & Rita Lynn, The Scratch, Wallis Bird & Caoi De Barra, Winnie Ama, Zoe Hayter & Glen Hansard

Reception

Director Donal Scannell wrote, “we know in Ireland just how crucial music is. Music makers occupy a special place in our society. Musicians are our moral pathfinders. They soak emotions up and channel what they feel into aural delights. Little do these music makers know how much pain they spare the rest of us. We all get to feast on the bounty of their hunt for truth. When times are good, we dance to their gorgeous cacophonies. When we mourn, we wrap ourselves in the warm blanket of their soothing sounds.” 1.

Writing in the Irish Examiner, Simon Price noted "the shift from live concerts to online streaming brought about by the pandemic has given audiences and artists an opportunity to enjoy high-quality original Irish music presented from national parks, stately homes, art galleries, iconic landmarks and other venues not ordinarily open to public performance...the crowning effort of this trend to date has been the production of Ireland In Music.” 2.

Niall Gibbons, Chief Executive of Tourism Ireland, said "music is a fundamental part of contemporary Irish culture and a really important component of the holiday experience here for our overseas visitors. Tourism Ireland was therefore delighted to support the Ireland in Music series - showcasing some of our emerging and well-known artists against the backdrop of our spectacular landscapes to a global audience.” 3.