Moynihan Group Throws 2nd Annual St. Pat’s Fundraiser

 

LÓCHRANN OF MARY IMMACULATE COLLEGE TO VISIT MASSACHUSETTS FOR 2ND ANNUAL SAINT PATRICK'S DAY TOUR

Funds from performances will support MIC Foundation

Boston- The incredibly talented traditional Irish musicians - Lóchrann - from Mary Immaculate College (MIC) will be returning to Boston and Worcester this March for another set of performances on behalf of their school.  The group is being touted as one of the most talented and youngest representations of traditional Irish music to hit the scene in quite some time - both in Ireland and the United States.  They will appear live on Channel 25 FOX news at 8:45 a.m. on Friday, March 13, 2009.   

The ensemble consists of six students from the student body of MIC with vocals performed by a member of the faculty.  The students have individually received accolades at home and abroad in their own right.  They first played together last year when visiting Massachusetts for a fundraising tour for the College's foundation and their synergy was remarkable. 

While the entire visit was hailed as a terrific success, the highlight of the trip was the honor of being the opening act for Ireland's own Saw Doctors at the Hanover Theater in Worcester, MA.  Below is a review of their performance published by the Worcester Telegram and Gazette.   

“The whole night, however, was not given to plugged-in rock and roll, as the traditional band Lóchrann, from Limerick, opened with a lively set of tunes, jigs and reels played on the pipes, flute, fiddle, drum, concertina and keyboards.  The band of Irish college students was in Worcester entertaining at the Emerald Club and so impressed that group of knowledgeable Celtic music fans that a fast-paced lobbying effort got them on the Saw Doctors’ bill.  Their dash of tradition proved an inspired way to open the night.”

The Moynihan Group arranged and implemented a successful program for the group of students and professional collegiate staff in 2008 which was so well received the group is returning this March.  Funds received at the performances will again be directed to MIC's foundation.

Mary Immaculate College is Ireland's largest Catholic college and specializes in preparing students to become primary [elementary] school teachers in Ireland.  As there is no tradition of philanthropic support of higher education in Ireland, the funds raised from generous Americans are critical.  

"For the second year in a row we are honored to host Lóchrann and Mary Immaculate College here in Boston.  Our aim is to raise awareness and funding of the incredible work happening at this fine College.  Even in these challenging economic times, I think it is critical that we here in Massachusetts  - and Irish Americans throughout the United States  - do all we can to maintain the close connection we have with the entire island of Ireland.  Our support of institutions like 'Mary I' is of particular significance as almost half of  Ireland's primary school teachers are graduates of the College.  These students will ultimately become educators and serve as the guiding light for the future leaders of Ireland", commented Sean P. Moynihan, Principal of The Moynihan Group.  

The up-coming March 2009 visit will begin with an encore performance at Boston College's Alumni House on Friday, March 13, 2009 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at BC's Newton Campus, 825 Centre Street, Newton, MA.[see above left link to invitation].  Last March Lóchrann performed before a great crowd at BC, including many prominent Irish Americans and Irish ex-pats from the business, educational, non-profit and political communities of the Boston area. 

This year brings additional performances and increased exposure for the cutting edge group as the Moynihan Group is partnering with Brian O'Donovan of WGBH.   Lóchrann will be an integral part of O'Donovan's successful St. Patrick's Day Celtic Sojourn concert series.  This is an annual celebration of the Irish Diaspora produced by Boston's own WGBH which sells out every year.  This year the performances will be taking place at Boston's Berklee Performance Center on Saturday March 14th and the Hanover Theater in Worcester on Sunday, March 15th.  The St. Patrick's Day Celtic Sojourn was born from O'Donovan's weekly radio program "A Celtic Sojourn" which airs every Saturday from 12-3 p.m. on WGBH.  More info can be found at www.wgbh.org/celtic.

The Moynihan Group is committed to facilitating an on-going engagement between Massachusetts and the entire island of Ireland.  Our support of Mary Immaculate College represents our commitment to educational advancements in both countries and the promotion of Irish culture here in Massachusetts.  

Lóchrann Biographical Info:

The group is made up of the following students: Eibhlin Healy from Abbeyfeale, Aoife Greene from Miltown; Diarmaid Ó hAlmhain from Inis Oírr; Pauric Stapleton from Templemore; Brian Shinners from Newport and Caoilfhionn Ní Fhrighil originally from Dublin and now living in Miltown Malbay. 

Between them Lóchrann play the flute, guitar, piano, tin whistle, cello, concertina, fiddle, harp, uilleann pipes and bodhrán, and count an accomplished  Irish dancer among their number. 

Vocals are performed by Siobhán Ní Mhurchú, a lecturer in Múineadh na Gaeilge in MIC.

Pauric Stapleton – Flute, tin whistle

· Born and raised in Templemore co. Tipperary;

· Plays the flute, guitar, piano and tin whistle;

· Plays with the Loughmore branch of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann;

· Won the Munster Final in 2008 in the U18 Flute;

· Placed 2nd in the Comhaltas All-Ireland in Flute competition;Munster champions with Loughmore Senior Grúpaí Ceoil;

· Comhaltas All-Ireland set dancing in 2006 with JK Brackens club;

· Recorded with Diarmaid (info below) and Eibhlin (info below) for RTE last summer for the Fleadh programme.

· Chairperson of MIC Traditional Music Society.

Caoilfhionn Ni Fhrighil – concertina, cello

· Lived in Dublin then moved to Miltown Malbay over 7 years ago;

· Plays Concertina, Cello and Tin whistle and is an Irish dancer;

· Plays with the Innis Og grúpaí ceoil and céilí band;

· Has won Comhaltas All-Ireland titles;

· Features on 2 CD's with:

1 - Padraig O' Reilly - playing cello; and

2 - Garry Shannon - playing cello.

Aoife Greene – concertina, piano

· From Miltown, Co. Galway;

· Plays Concertina and Piano;

· Won Comhaltas All-Ireland in the U18 Piano and Concertina divisions in 2008;

· Plays with Grúpaí Ceoil – received 1st/2nd in the Comhaltas All-Ireland in that competition 2008;

· PRO for MIC Traditional Music Society.

Eibhlin Healy – fiddle and tin whistle

· From Abbeyfeale, Co. Limerick;

· Plays Fiddle and tin whistle;

· Has won numerous Comhaltas All-Irelands in Grúpaí Ceoil and solo fiddle;

· Member of the Comhaltas Irish tour group 2008 including British tour in Feburary;

· Member of Comhaltas Irish tour group in United States in 2008 (Waltham, MA);

· Eibhlin is also part of the band Maids of Éireann and has recorded a CD with the group;

        · Vice chairperson of MIC traditional music society.

Diarmaid O hAlmhain – uileen pipes and tin whistle

· From Inis Oirr, Co. Galway;

· Plays Uilleann Pipes and tin whistle;

· Won Comhaltas All-Ireland U18 in slow airs on uileann pipes;

· Played with a Limerick group in the Comhaltas All-Ireland Grúpaí Ceoil competition this year;

· Toured America with with Jannet Harbison's harping orchestra;

· Chair of Cumann Gaelach.

Brian Shinners – bodhran and Irish dance

· From Tipperary;

· Plays the bodhrán and is an Irish dancer;

· He dances in Munster Finals and in World competitions;

· He came second in a Comhaltas All-Ireland in the Bodhrán Competition in 2006;

· Brian is lucky enough to also be a part of the summer show in Bunratty Castle.