I’m here Fermoy music
A new music festival will enjoy its inaugural outing at a venue in Fermoy this month, the first of its kind for the town.
The North Cork Art Music Festival, a series of one-off concerts, will run from 16-18 September at Fermoy’s Richmond House. The series unites Irish and international talents from traditional, classical, popular and folk music in 5 specially commissioned events.
The opening concert on Friday 16 September will bring together Finnish baroque violinist Marja Gaynor and master uilleann piper David Power in a sparring, dynamic meeting of musical minds. Saturday afternoon will feature a trio led by multi-instrumentalist Karl Nesbitt, who has a long list of recording credits both as performer and producer to his name.
Fiachra Ó Cinnéide, owner of Richmond House, said: “We are honoured to host the Karl Nesbitt Trio. These lads are amazing, and Fermoy is privileged to have musicians of such calibre visit.”
Saturday evening’s event will see the return of dancing feet to the Richmond House ballroom with an energetic session from the international musicians of the Non Toxic Orchestra. The band’s members, from Poland, Ireland and France, will serve up a variety of global beats from South America, Africa and the Middle East.
On Sunday, the influence of gypsy jazz will be heard when the Michael Cummins Trio swings into action. Michael is an accomplished violinist, pianist and guitarist as well as a composer and arranger, and has toured with Finbarr Wright, Don Baker and Michael English, amongst others.
Singer-songwriter Eve Clague, who is currently working on a new album, will play the final concert of the festival with a set on Sunday evening, accompanied by Niall McGuinness on double bass. Her self-taught fingerpicking on acoustic guitar and direct, personal vocal style promise an atmospheric, intimate conclusion to the festival.
The Ó Cinnéide family, owners of Richmond House say they hope their late Georgian home will become a cultural hub for Fermoy and the surrounding area.
The house, formerly owned by the Presentation order, has been under renovation since 2020 and stands on 7 acres in the centre of Fermoy.