Kilkenny Castle & Other Voices

Other Voices has welcomed some of the world’s most diverse music-makers over the years and have captured infinite unique, one-off, live performances from across the globe.

The live performances of “Other Voices” is usually filmed in the intimate setting of the 200-year-old Church of St James in Dingle, County Kerry but during 2020 artists will perform in a selection of iconic cultural and heritage locations around the Emerald Isle.

St James’ Church is a beautiful cultural space in Dingle and usually hosts a programme of diverse events throughout the year, ranging from traditional folk music concerts and exhibitions to lectures and films.

Lankum will perform live in Kilkenny Castle on Thursday 25^th June 2020 at 8PM (GMT).

LANKUM have an alchemical ability to combine traditional folk roots with contemporary undercurrents to forge music that is dark, mysterious and transcendental. Comprising brothers Ian Lynch (uillean pipes, tin whistle, vocals), Darragh Lynch (vocals, guitar) alongside Cormac Mac Diarmada (fiddle) and Radie Peat (harmonium, accordion, vocals), Lankum channel a diverse set of influences and histories to create a beautifully rare thing: a songbook from and for the people. Their third full length album The Livelong Day, which was released on Rough Trade Records at the end of 2019, won the band the coveted RTÉ Choice Prize in 2020. The album blends alternative folk and psychedelia to cement their reputation as one of the most talked about groups to emerge from Ireland in decades. Born of years crisscrossing Dublin’s folk and experimental scenes, their previous two albums Cold Old Fire and Rough Trade debut Between The Earth and Sky (2017) breathed new life into ancient/modern rituals with urban punk fervour, rural psycho-geography and, underpinning it all, the eternal drone of the uilleann pipes.

Watch the show live on YouTube, Facebook, Twitter & RTE Culture

Kilkenny City

Situated on a leisurely curve of the River Nore, Kilkenny City is the most atmospheric and compact of medieval cities with all manner of curious, narrow slipways, historic pubs, bright-coloured shops and festivals. Wander the winding, cobbled streets that make up its ‘Medieval Mile’ and learn about its fascinating Norman heritage, the symbol of which is undoubtedly the majestic Kilkenny Castle. Explore the region’s hidden gems, lively festival scene and after the sun sets, sample its fantastic cosy pubs and award-winning restaurants.

 Kilkenny Castle

Few buildings in Ireland can boast a longer history of continuous occupation than majestic Kilkenny Castle overlooking the River Nore. Founded soon after the Norman conquest of Ireland, the Castle has been rebuilt, extended and adapted to suit changing circumstances and uses over a period of 800 years. Two wings of the castle have been restored to their former glory. See the Butler Art Gallery and admire exhibitions of contemporary art. Conferences, banquets and wedding ceremonies often take place in the Parade Tower. Explore the stunning castle at your leisure and along the way, meet Information Officers and hear tales of the castle’s rich history. Make time to wander through the grounds of the castle, fifty acres of rolling green parkland. Take on one of the orienteering trails, stop off in the rose garden and snap photos of the ornamental lake.

Outside in the Castle Yard, watching a silversmith crafting a Celtic brooch in Kilkenny Design Centre and exploring The National Craft Gallery, you realize just how much creativity is in the city’s DNA.

The Medieval Mile runs through the heart of the historic city and links the 13th-century St Canice’s Cathedral at one end with Kilkenny Castle at the other. Kilkenny is named after St Canice (Cill Chainnigh – Canice’s Church) who founded a 6^th century monastic settlement. At St. Canice’s Cathedral climb up the 100ft, 9th-century Round Tower beside the cathedral, where you can enjoy the most wonderful views over the city.

The waft of hops over the Medieval Mile signals that another living tradition, the craft of ale-making mastered by 13th-century local monks, is flourishing too – as the Smithwick’s Experience brewery tour beckons. At the Smithwick’s Experience discover the age-old tradition of craft ale making – from its mastery by local monks on the site of the St. Francis Abbey Brewery, to the arrival of John Smithwick in the 1700s, right up to the present day. Get involved as you stir the hops and are immersed in the multi-sensory, interactive tour.

Likely, many more secrets of Kilkenny City will come to light in a chat over a drink in a friendly pub as one of Kilkenny’s famous music sessions springs into life.

From the Jigs and the Reels, to day tours and overnight trips, Specialized Travel Services have the knowledge and experience to arrange your private tour of Ireland, whatever your group size.

Contact us to book your toe tapping traditional & contemporary musical journey of Ireland – Fill in the Contact form or send an email request to: newyork@jeremyd50.sg-host.com