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RTÉ News
30-07-2025
- Entertainment
- RTÉ News
Something for the Weekend: Alannah Thornburgh's cultural picks
Alannah Thornburgh is an award-winning instrumentalist and composer from the west of Ireland with a focus on traditional Irish harp. Alannah's music explores her family heritage, reimagining melodies from the Irish harping and American folk & jazz traditions. Alannah was awarded 'Best Folk Instrumentalist' at the 2025 RTÉ Folk Awards and she is the current Musician-In-Residence at Carnegie Library, Fingal County Council/Music is also a founding member of Alfi, a trio who combine traditional Irish and Appalachian music and song. In February 2025, Alannah released her acclaimed debut album Shapeshifter; this September, she performs as part of Tradition Now in the National Concert Hall We asked Alannah for her choice cultural picks... MUSIC I have been incessantly listening to Poor Creature's album All Smiles Tonight since its release at the start of July. I think Ruth Clinton (Poor Creature, Landless) is a genius (which she displays very impressively across many art forms!) Another album that I have on repeat is Double You - a collaborative album by two instrumental virtuosos Aoife Ní Bhriain & Catrin Finch. FILM My go-to films are anything silly and light-hearted (Bullet Train and Detective Pikachu are coming to mind as I write this). I have a curiosity for thrillers and horror films (especially from a soundtrack/soundscape point of view) but truthfully I am too much of a wimp to watch either genre (the twist at the end of Fight Club was so intense for me that I fainted!) BOOK I really enjoyed Donal Ryan's collection of short stories A Slanting of the Sun. I absolutely adore Eithne Massey's The Turning of the Year: Lore and Legends of the Irish Seasons, a book that I return to often for inspiration. Manchán Magan recently announced that he will be releasing a new book in September Ninety-Nine Words for Rain (and One for Sun) which I will definitely be pre-ordering (his book Wolf-Men and Water Hounds is another favourite of mine). PLAY I saw Louise O'Neill's masterpiece Asking for It in the Gaiety Theatre a number of years ago - a truly harrowing but moving piece of work. I was fortunate enough to compose and perform some music for the RTÉ radio play Clarity at Last written by the immensely talented Charlie McGuinness (due for broadcast in late 2025, I believe). TV I was hooked on Severance this year, both from a storyline and musical point of view (the use of a theremin in Season 2 was just perfect). I am also a big fan of The Bear, and I have been meaning to rewatch Desperate Housewives since becoming obsessed with Kyle MacLachlan's Instagram content. GIG I have been very lucky to see Fionn Regan perform live twice already this year (in The Ambassador Theatre and at Night & Day Festival). I will be heading to All Together Now in a couple of weeks and I am ecstatic about seeing Fontaines DC, CMAT, Wet Leg and Bricknasty live. ART My favourite artist is Conor Campbell, the Limerick-born colour-blind artist whose work is so intricately beautiful and unique. Conor painted the artwork for my album Shapeshifter, and I am looking forward to celebrating his work at Tradition Now in the National Concert Hall on Thursday 25th September (alongside Diarmuid Mac Gloinn, Gareth Quinn Redmond and Junior Brother). TECH My partner Alex is developing a memory retention app as part of his Masters in Design Innovation and I have been a (hopefully supportive) guinea pig during the testing process! THE NEXT BIG THING... Shamrock Showband! The lads (Conor McAuley & Jamie Bishop) are two great friends of mine and have recently released their debut (self-titled) album. Check them out!
Irish Independent
13-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
Eight things not to miss at Clare's Doolin FolkFest this weekend
Taking place in the barn at Hotel Doolin, the 2025 edition of Doolin FolkFest is running from the evening of Friday, June 13, to Sunday, June 15. The inaugural festival took place back in 2013, with inspiration from their neighbours in Lisdoonvarna, and locals deemed it such a resounding success that it has continued since (lockdown excluded). This year's festival is expected to be even bigger and better than previous festival's, with well-known and highly regarded acts like John Francis Flynn, Lemoncello, Fionn Regan, Gemma Hayes, Muireann Bradley, and the Riptide Movement included on the line-up. As well as the music, there will be wellness sessions run by Sauna Suaimhneas, amazing food by Hotel Doolin, and more. If you're heading down to Doolin this weekend, here's what The Irish Independent has deemed a 'not to miss': John Francis Flynn If you get the chance to see John Francis Flynn live, you do not pass it up. The multi-instrumentalist and singer's work blends the worlds of Irish traditional music and contemporary folk, with his sophomore album Look Over the Wall, See the Sky amassing overwhelming critical acclaim. His live shows are a powerful celebration of his trad and folk roots, leaving you thoroughly satisfied but wanting more. The musician is scheduled to perform at 7.30pm on Sunday on the Barn Stage – don't miss it! Anything Sauna Suaimhneas You have not known heaven until you take a break from the hustle and bustle of a festival for some well-deserved self-care. The Sauna Suaimhneas rejuvenating set up will be on site at Doolin FolkFest for Saturday and Sunday. Wellness sessions over the two days include: Whether you just want to take in the restorative qualities of a sauna or feel some movement is more up your alley, any of these session can be booked through the Sauna Suaimhneas website. Lemoncello Described as 'a vital voice in the thriving alternative folk scene in Ireland', Lemoncello is a folk duo comprised of songwriter Laura Quirke and cellist Claire Kinsella. The pair, who started playing together while studying in Maynooth, have received wide praise since they first started releasing music in 201, and have been nominated in many categories across the RTÉ Folk Awards. The duo play Doolin FolkFest on Friday at 7.30pm. Layered harmony and raw vocals are emphasised throughout their live sets, of which they have performed many – touring with the likes of Glen Hansard, Lisa O'Neill, Cormac Begley, and Fionn Regan. Fionn Regan Speaking of Fionn Regan, the Bray musician plays Doolin FolkFest on Saturday at 9.00pm. Beginning his musical career in the early 2000s, the folk musician has a wealth of experience in his musical collection. And that will be evident in his Doolin FolkFest set as it is in any of his live performances. Regan has received nominations for the Choice Music Prize in Ireland, the Mercury Prize in the United Kingdom and the Shortlist Music Prize in the United States – and has even been referred to as "his generation's answer to Bob Dylan" by Lucinda Williams. Long story short – don't miss him. Muireann Bradley Donegal musician Muireann Bradley has become well known as a blues prodigy, at only 18-years-old. The singer and guitarist rose to fame through YouTube, with an appearance on Jools Holland's Annual Hootenanny to ring in 2024 shooting her into household recognition status. Bradley plays Doolin FolkFest on Saturday at 7.15pm, and boy, are you in for a treat! Laura Duff Hailing from Limerick's vibrant music scene, Laura Duff is set to dazzle crowds at Doolin FolkFest from 5.00pm on Sunday. The musician's introspective and powerful lyrics, accompanied by emotive instrumentalism has been honed over her past decade of work, all culminating in the recent release of her debut album, Sea Legs. Duff and her band have had a busy few years opening for incredible artists such as Lisa O'Neill and Arab Strap, as well as touring her own work and being selected to perform at Ireland Music Week. Get down to watch her at Doolin FolkFest so you can claim you knew her before she was famous when she inevitably ends up headlining major festivals. The Davies Brothers Eoin and Brian Davies are identical twin singer-songwriters from County Clare who perform under the band name 'The Davies Brothers'. The pair have a unique way of layering harmonies and building both vocals and instruments that could reduce you to tears. Their raw lyricism and exceptional live performances make this pair one to watch. The duo takes to the Garden Stage at 4.30pm on Saturday. Elephant Sessions Finally, Elephant Sessions will perform on Sunday night at 11.30pm. The electronic, dance, and folk group from the Highlands of Scotland are a unique experience to say the least. Fusing trad, funk, electronica, dance, and folk into a progressive, bold sound has seen the band play Glastonbury, Byron Bay Bluefest, and Celtic Connections. Dancing the night away is promised at one of their gigs, and with the group having won 'Live Act of the Year' at 2018's BBC Scots Trad Music Awards, you even have the official guarantee of a great gig.
