òran mór

Cross-pollination of tunes and songs is key to keeping the tradition alive, and entails traveling, listening, experiencing other players and singers, bringing new tunes and songs to others, and getting some new ones in return.  òran mór is certainly no exception.

I play at a seisiún in Concord, NH each week with these folks, and they are wonderful! Réagánta has just issued a new CD titled “Cup O’ Tea”, and it’s well worth a listen.  I was fortunate to have attended their CD release concert/party last night at the Elysium Arts Folk Club in Rollinsford, NH.   They presented a lovely mix of songs and tunes, some meancholy, some lively, in various simple and complex arrangements featuring harp, whistle, guitar and bodhrán.

For their last set, they invited all the musicians present to join them, then hosted a little party afterward.  If the reaction of the standing-room-only crowd was any indication, Réagánta (“easygoing” in Irish) will be brewing a strong cup ‘o tea for a long time to come!

The restaurant and pub will be in high gear all day Tuesday, the 17th.

We’ll be playing from 4PM onward until at least 11PM.

We’ll have our usual song and tune repertoire, and some extra surprises from the Clancy Brothers  and other favorites.  Pete has at least one special surprise up his sleeve.

Hoping you can join the fun.

Cynthia Neale

Members of òran mór go where the music and all things Irish lead them, and this coming Saturday I’ll be heading to the Barnes and Noble at the Newington Mall.  Acclaimed children’s author Cynthia Neale (The Irish Dresser, A Story Of Hope During The Great Hunger and Hope In New York City, The Continuing Story Of The Irish Dresser) will be signing her books to the accompaniment of live traditional music played by me, Cynthia’s husband Tim, and friends Martha & Howard Windrow.

Look for us in the Children’s department beginning at 1 pm!

Last month we had the pleasure of playing at an After Hours Mixer for the Greater Portsmouth Chamber of Commerce. Held at our usual haunt of McMenemy’s, it was a fun time and we got the Chamber members tapping their toes with the tunes.

Tom Cocchiaro, Communications Manager for the Chamber, was kind enough to take a couple of shots of òran mór in action and they finally arrived.

Thanks again to the Chamber for having us be part of the fun.

When you can’t travel to Clare directly, it’s good to  know that the trad tunes and songs on Clare FM can be a close second. Beyond the fun of listening live, you can enjoy the archives and their easy MP3 downloads.

Clare FM trad link