Hi folks, it’s Liam here with all the latest. The sun’s shining and, after a very busy few months, we’re enjoying 2 weeks at home to recharge the batteries. Eamon is nervously awaiting the final results of his degree, Niamh is in Limerick learning how to drive without bumping into... well everything, Damian is watching re-runs of Prison Break with one eye on Facebook and Soggy’s out in the field helping save the hay.

Thanks to the great crowds who supported our Irish gigs in April. The craic was as good as always and our guest musicians made it all the more enjoyable. In Belfast, we enjoyed the talents of Joe Echo (vocals) and David Howell (sax/clarinet), while in Cork Aine Whelan and Sara Corkery sang brilliantly with Niamh onstage. In Limerick our own Brona Graham plucked a mean banjo and the one and only Brian Finnegan joined us fto complete a very memorable night. Brian finished off the tour with us in Ennis too. Sincere thanks to all of them.

Then it was straight up the road to Monaghan for the newly rejuvenated Fiddler of Oriel Festival. There was a party atmosphere throughout for our midnight concert as we jammed onstage with the newly crowned junior Fiddler of Oriel, Niall Murphy, along with Paul Meehan, Damian Stenson and Oisin MacDiarmada... great steam altogether.

We traveled back to Texas in April to perform at the Houston International festival. This year Ireland was the featured country and we were honoured when they asked us to collaborate with the legendary Kevin Burke and Cal Scott for several performances over the two weekends. We enjoyed trading sets, and a few beers were also downed with the lads along the way to help the learning process! Our final gig was temporarily halted by the arrival of Congress Member Sheila Jackson Lee, to announce that Beoga had won the Dr. Paul Zanowiak Award for Best New Artist. She also presented us with a Certificate of Congressional Recognition from the US House of Representatives and a stunning trophy. Not content with all the above, Soggy tried to negotiate for unrestricted access to AREA 51, Houston’s NASA’s mission control centre, plus a girls shopping with Michelle Obama for Niamh and Eamon. In return he was offfeing a signed copy of ‘The Incident’ and the rest of his sandwich... request denied.

Last weekend we travelled to Scotland and the Orkney Folk Festival in the beautiful town of Stromness. We all agreed it was one of the most enjoyable festivals we have been to. We were privileged to share the stage with Buille, Karen Casey and band, and Jeana Leslie and Siobhan Millar. - another few days of superb music, fun and good company. The vision of several of the above artists, along with one Eamon Murray ,parading as chickens at the farewell concert, is one that shall remain forever!

Back to awards again… and Beoga are chuffed to be nominated for Best Young Traditional Act in Ireland’s Music Awards, a ceremony which takes place in Castlebar this August. Also nominated are Liadan, Grada, Slide, Teada and the Dave Munnelly band – all great pals of ours and well deserving of the award… “sure they all have lovely bottoms!” To vote click www.irelandsmusicawards.com/nominees.php. Thanks to the committee for considering us - Damian and myself are stunned to be associated with the term ‘young’ – I know for a fact that Damian has socks older than the combined ages of Liadan. We’re praying he uses the two weeks off to invest in, or borrow a fresh pair.

Finally, the Reel Deal is a new television series focusing on traditional music and it kicks off on RTE1 this month. Beoga will be making an appearance in the 3rd programme in the seriers which is on Fri 26th June @ 7.30pm. We underwent the ‘Big Brother’ treatment at last summer’s Celtic Fusion festival. On Fri 17th July tune in to witness the band acting like buck-eejits for a crazy music video. Any remaining credibility will go out the window that night I’m

Hi all,

Beoga have been nominated for "Best Young Irish Traditional Act" in this year's Ireland's Music Awards. We need all the support we can get from as many people as possible, so please take a minute to vote.

Here's the link, it just takes a second!

http://www.irelandsmusicawards.com/v...

Thanks everyone

Niamh

April 2009

03 Ireland Seamus Ennis Cultural Centre, Naul, Fingal, Co. Dublin 7.30pm

11 Spain Festival Tierradura Folk Secadura, Cantabria

14 Ireland Roisin Dubh, Galway
16 Ireland The Black Box, Belfast

18 USA Houston International Festival, Texas
19 USA Houston International Festival, Texas
21 USA The Mucky Duck, Houston TX
22 USA Chevron Sponsored Event, Houston TX
24 USA Frisco TX Lochrann’s Irish Pub
25 USA Houston International Festival, Texas
26 USA Houston International Festival, Texas

29 Ireland The Pavillion, Cork
30 Ireland, Dolan’s Warehouse, Limerick



May 2009

01 Ireland, Glór, Ennis
03 Ireland, www.feileoriel.ie Monaghan