Temple Bar Trad Fest – cuid a dó

The pièce de résistance for me at Trad Fest this year was seeing T With The Maggies at St. Werburgh’s church.  Although this was one of the performances at Trad Fest requiring a paid ticket, it was worth every cent (and more).

You could easily walk by St. Werburgh’s and not notice it was a church.  A 12^th century building literally sandwiched between two 20^th century structures.  Although the church is in need of a little TLC, there’s a beautiful organ in the back and the acoustics are first rate.

For those who may not be aware, T With the Maggies is a combination of the absolute finest in Irish female trad artists – Tríona and Maighread Ní Dhomhnaill, Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh and Moya Brennan.  You would be hard pressed to top a lineup like that.  Tonight, the ladies were accompanied by Manus Lunny and Jim Higgins.

What an amazing show!  When they began Ógánaigh Uasail I got a lump in my throat, it was so beautiful (it’s also one of my favorites on their CD).  The hour and a half show went by too quickly as they performed many of the tunes from the record as well as other traditional favorites.

Through the whole concert, I couldn’t help feeling as if I were in the presence of Trad Royalty.  An unforgettable experience.

T With the Maggies

Maighread Ni Dhomhnaill and Mairead Ni Mhaonaigh

Triona Ni Dhomhnaill and Moya Brennan

Triona Ni Dhomhnaill, Moya Brennan, Maighread Ni Dhomhnaill, Manus Lunny and Mairead Ni Mhaonaigh