NI Music Crosses Border

Traditional Scots-Irish music featured at a major Co Clare music festival earlier this month.

The Hounds of Ulster - formerly the Colonel Saunderson Corps of Drums - were in Ennis for the An Fleadh Nua 2008, the international festival celebrating traditional music from Ireland, the UK and beyond.

While the group's recital of Scots-Irish tunes from Northern Ireland raised hairs and lifted spirits to the sky, the previous evening The Hounds had received a very positive reception from a captivated audience at the festival’s main venue, An Glór, when they performed old favourites such as 'The Gael', 'Stool of Repentance' and 'Hanover Hornpipe'.

The first flute band to take part in a Fleadh in Co Clare, The Hounds of Ulster went down so well with the audience that they've already been invited back for the 2009 event.

"The organisers of the Fleadh usually never have the same groups back two years in a row, but they've already sent us an invite for next year," explained the band's Development Officer, David Crooks.

The band showcased their interpretation of inclusive traditional music to a wider audience to help raise public awareness of their unique amalgamation of the different Celtic musical styles.

The band - which practices twice weekly in Whiteabbey Royal British Legion's Club premises - are again to go on the road soon, with upcoming events include a performance for the Ulster-Scots Heritage Society in Donegal on June 19 and four dates at Carrickfergus Castle during July playing special concerts for American tourists.

See: Ulster-Scots In Concert

See: www.ulsterhounds.co.uk

(BMcC)