How it’s New York: The concert is part of the longstanding Blarney Star series, now at the New York Irish Center.
How it’s Irish: Máirtín de Cogáin, Donie Carroll with Ruby Falvey are all Irish and will be playing trad music, Friday, Aug. 25, 7 p.m. We do have a pair of tickets to give away– but only for our subscribers, so be sure to sign up to see our offers!
What a treat to have Máirtín de Cogáin back among us to sing stories and play music! I’ll never forget the first time I met Máirtín, at a concertt at Glucksman Ireland House at NYU. As we came in he said “Welcome lads, lads,” which seemed so odd to me until I realized that in Cork “lads” is the equivalent of New Jersey’s unisex “guys.”
Máirtín de Cogáin is also a wonderful storyteller and has won awards for it: two CCÉ All-Ireland’s for Storytelling, It’s an evening that promises to be fun. He speaks Irish and now lives in San Diego. He also plays the bodhrán… which is not, as he would explain, a drum that hails from the mists of Ireland… (More to come!)
Donie Carroll is one of the area’s treasures, often to be seen singing and playing in sessions all around the tri-state. Just last weekend he was at the Cat and Fiddle session in Jersey City. Also originally from Cork (from Douglas, just outside of Cork City, he played for years with Mick Moloney and was very involved in raising money for the Mercy Center in Thailand. He’s played with Andy McCann as well and had a career in Ireland in the ’60s and ’70s before moving here.
Ruby Falvey is also from Cork, and plays the melodeon (one-row button accordion). She’s a strep-granddaughter of Donie’s and an up-and-coming performer. She played at the session last Sunday with Donie. She also gorgeously plays the whistle. What a treat!
The New York Irish Center is in Long Island City, 1040 Jackson Ave., one stop away on from Grand Central on the 7. Friday, Aug. 25, 7 p.m. (718) 482-0909
