The concertina in Ireland and Clare

This talk will cover the history of the concertina, ranging through its golden era in the late 1800s through the lean years of the 20th century, to the more recent revival of its popularity. He will explain how Co Clare has been the heartland of the concertina in Irish traditional music, highlighting the great players of the past and present. He will also describe the various newer initiatives that are taking the instrument into an exciting future, and he will illuminate his talk with some lively concertina playing.

Dr. Tim Collins is a concertina player, teacher, recording artist and composer originally from West Limerick. Among his most famous compositions is the anthemic “Clare, My Heart, My Home”. A member of the Kilfenora Céilí Band since 1994, he has toured and also recorded extensively - both with the band and his own CDs. He is founding co-director of Consairtín - The National Concertina Convention - and is also founding director of the groundbreaking Irish Concertina Ensemble (ICE). A former Fulbright scholar, he holds a PhD from the NUIG, Galway. His primary academic research interest is exploring the connections between people, music, landscape and place.

Event organised by Kilfenora Development Community Group