PRESS RELEASE

WORLD BODHRÁN CHAMPIONSHIPS
Milltown, Co. Kerry 2 – 5 June 2006

LIAM O’MAONLAI, MEL MERCIER, RONAN O’SNODAIGH & MICHEÁL O’SÚILLEABHÁIN ALL CONFIRMED FOR BODHRÁN FESTIVAL

The first ever World Bodhrán Championships will take place in Milltown, County Kerry from 2nd to 5th June 2006. A festival aiming to promote the role of the bodhrán in traditional Irish music, the event will attract thousands of bodhrán players and music lovers from all over the world.

The organisers are pleased to announce among the acts already confirmed for the event are Liam O’Maonlaí, Ronán O’Snódaigh of Kila, Mel Mercier and Micheál O’Súilleabháin. As well as competitions to find the World Bodhrán Champion, there will be workshops, lectures, street theatre and music sessions throughout the weekend.

The two highlights of the event will be a live concert in the local church involving Liam O’Maonlai of Hothouse Flowers fame and Ronán O’Snódaigh of Hothouse Flowers on Sunday, 4th June with an indoor concert in the marquee with Mel Mercier and Professor Micheál O’Súilleabháin from the Irish World Academy of Music and Dance in the University of Limerick on Saturday 3rd June. Tickets for both concerts will go on sale next month from the World Bodhrán Championship Office in Milltown.

There is very significant interest in the event from around the globe, particularly from the US, and a number of internationally renowned bodhrán players like Gino Lupari and Tommy Hayes will be on hand to keep the music flowing. Grant aid has been secured from Kerry County Council, Fáilte Ireland and Kerry County Council Arts Department for the event with substantial local sponsorship from The Kerryman, Kerry Phone Centres, Variety Sounds, Galvin’s Developments, Pavilion Chinese Restaurant and Londis Top Shop.

Entries are now being sought also for the competitions for the World Bodhrán Championships. If you would like to compete send an email to bodhranchampionship@eircom.net or contact the numbers below.

More information about entries for the competitions and other aspects of the event can be obtained from Owen O’Shea at 00353 (0)87 7870070 or Dan Cronin at 00353 (0)87 6850542.

Media queries, please contact Owen O’Shea at 00353 (0)87 7870070

Not so funny now, eh?