Seisiún returns to RTÉ with four incredible nights of live music from legendary Irish venues

Seisiún returns to RTÉ One and RTÉ Player from Friday 26 September at 8pm with four incredible nights of live music from four legendary venues. The rich musical heritage of Róisín Dubh in Galway, DeBarra’s in Clonakilty, The Spirit Store in Dundalk and Cleere’s Bar and Theatre in Kilkenny takes centre stage, as musician and presenter Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh showcases the bands, singers and songwriters with connections to these iconic independent venues.

The series will see Bell X1, The Hothouse Flowers, Jack Lukeman, Mary Coughlan, Sharon Shannon, The Cardinals, John Spillane, Ryan Sheridan and Gurriers take to the stage, along with trailblazing new talent including IMLÉ, The Kates, Annika Kilkenny, Rawney and Dug.

At the heart of each of these venues are the passionate individuals who’ve kept the stage lights burning, through good times and bad. Gugai McNamara of the Róisín Dubh and Ray Blackwell of DeBarra’s discuss the vital role that music venues play as cultural lifelines and platforms for emerging bands. Johnny Holden of Cleere’s reflects on the venue’s legacy in championing new musical talent, while Derek Turner of the Spirit Store and DeBarras’ Bobby Blackwell recall the infamous artists who lit up the stage – and took over the bar!

Tune in for a celebration of the unsung heroes of Irish music, the venues that have stood the test of time and nurtured the country’s most gifted artists. A feast of music awaits on Seisiún!

Seisiún begins on Friday 26 September at 8pm on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player.

-ENDS-

For more information:
Éadaoin Nic Giolla Chomhaill, RTÉ Communications Lead, eadaoin.nicgiolla@rte.ie, 0876219781
Notes to Editors:

IMAGES: https://we.tl/t-TPS3zWxuBL

A preview of each episode is available on request.

Episode 1 – Roisin Dubh, Galway  

Join renowned singer and presenter Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh in the Roisin Dubh in the heart of Galway City. This iconic music venue has been a staple of the Irish music scene for over 40 years and Gugai McNamara has been programming some of Ireland’s leading contemporary music talent for over 20 years. In this programme, musicians flock to celebrate The Róisín Dubh, including legendary band Bell X1 who return to the stage and pay homage to one of their favourite venues. The effervescent Sharon Shannon delivers a flavour of traditional music, while the indominable Mary Coughlan performs and describes the Róisín as her spiritual stage. Exciting new talent IMLÉ and other local artists grace the stage, including new rap/funk music as Gaeilge, and Muireann meets the man behind the music, Gugai McNamara.

Episode 2  – DeBarras, Clonakilty   

Episode two takes us to the infamous DeBarra’s in Clonakilty, a family run music hub welcoming music lovers for over 50 years. The owner, Ray Blackwell and founding proprietor Bobby Blackwel recall how Noel Redding, the Jimmy Hendrix Experience bass player held court at the venue for nearly 20 years, attracting national and international talent. John Spillane and his Band of Wrens make the pilgrimage to perform in Debarra’s for this episode, as he has done for the past 23 years. New kids on the block The Cardinals from Kinsale also deliver a stellar performance from the intimate stage. With performances from some of West Cork’s’ most talented traditional musicians including Jimmy Murray and Richard Lucey and local singer songwriter Rawney, this episode has local talent all over it. Finally, The Kates rock the stage with their five piece all female ensemble of local musicians with a unique harmonious sound.

Episode 3 – The Spirit Store, Dundalk  

Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh continues her exploration of independent and family run live music venues in The Spirit Store, a music venue of renown pulsating with a musical legacy. Many influential and cutting-edge acts cut their teeth in this unique dockside venue in the heart of Dundalk’s commercial port. Performances from some of Spirit Stores’ stalwarts include the singer-songwriter Jack Lukeman, the innovative Irish music group, Shy Mascot and brothers Saran and Tadhg Mulligan on the fiddle and concertina. Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh revamps a classic, with accompaniment from renowned local musician Donal O’Connor. The acclaimed postpunk band, Gurriers blow the doors of this episode with their new release Erasure. Muireann also meets Derek Turner, the musical manager who has helped to curate this unique music hall from within the confines of an old Dockers pub and two bedrooms knocked into one.

Ep 4 JJ Cleeres – Kilkenny

In the heart of Kilkenny city, JJ Cleere’s is an iconic Irish traditional and folk music venue. The magnificent Hothouse Flowers bring the house down with a rousing set of some of their classics, returning to what they describe as one of their favourite rooms in the country. Anthony McCauley and Paddy Cleere bring a real taste of Kilkenny’s thriving traditional music scene. Rising stars Dug and Annika Kilkenny share stunning renditions of some of their own compositions, and Ryan Sheridan delivers another one of his special performances on a special night in Kilkenny.

Seisiún is produced by Hedgerow Films in association with Whitethorn Productions for RTÉ, with support from Coimisiún na Meán.