EXCITING YOUNG TRADITIONAL MUSICIANS TO PLAY DOWN ARTS CENTRE

Belfast based Réalta are now a mainstay of the Irish music scene with their lively, exciting and unique approach to traditional music. They will make their first appearance at Down Arts Centre on Sunday 26 April at 8pm.

Reared on a staple diet of The Bothy Band, Planxty and other such classics, the band captures timeless aspects of the tradition, before adding their own special injection.

Described by Irish Music Magazine as, “A full bodied pipe and whistle extravaganza”, the five-piece features Conor Lamb (uilleann pipes / whistles), Aaron O'Hagan (uilleann pipes / whistles), Deirdre Galway (Guitar / Bouzouki / Vocals), DermotMulholland (Bouzouki / Double Bass / Vocals) and Dermot Moynagh (Bodhrán).

The multi-instrumentalist group make full use of the intricate melodies and driving rhythms that make Irish music so loved throughout the world. The rare blend of two uilleann pipes gives Réalta a full, distinctive sound and makes for an unforgettable live performance.

Having toured alongside Altan in Germany, Switzerland and Greece and winning the prestigious Danny Kyle Award at Celtic Connections Glasgow, these young musicians have earned a reputation for delighting audiences with the enthusiasm, energy and passion they bring to traditional music.

Realta will be supported by three young, very talented musicians from County Down for their performance at DAC. They are Niamh Howell on concertina, her brother Ruaidhrí Howell on uilleann pipes and Orláith Forsythe on guitar/vocals.

Also on Sunday 26 April, DAC will host its regular afternoon devoted to the written word in all its forms, Poems on a Sunday Afternoon, from 2.30 – 4.30pm. As always, budding writers, readers and singers are invited to share their work, or perhaps a favourite poem or song, in this friendly, shared space. Members of the Words for Castle Ward monthly writing group, part of the Castle Ward Arts and Crafts Initiative, will share their work in our featured reader spot.

To purchase tickets (Realta £12 / £10, PoSA is a free event) and for further information on any Down Arts Centre events, please contact the box office on 028 4461 0747 or visit www.downartscentre.com. For offers and updates, like us on Facebook (Down-Arts-Centre).