‘Cairdeas’, a new show from Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann, with a focus on friendship and celebrating connections, will take to stages across the island this autumn.
Through words and music, song and dance, ‘Cairdeas’ will bring the audience on a unique journey celebrating how the ancient Irish concept of cairdeas or friendship is central to our culture, forging connections between people and communities throughout our history and down to the present day.
Once an annual event, this is the first tour of Ireland by a Comhaltas group since covid restrictions forced their cancellation. This welcome return features some of Ireland’s best traditional musicians, singers and dancers. Many of those performing are multiinstrumentalists and, between them, have claimed more than fifty All-Ireland titles.
Produced by Ray Conway, with music arranged and directed by Cian Kearins, ‘Cairdeas’ will also feature a rich weave of prose, poetry and song. Narration will be delivered by Ciana Campbell, former RTÉ broadcaster and acclaimed actor Diarmuid De Faoite, known for his compelling stage and screen work. Joining them are celebrated vocalists, Antony Kearns of the Irish Tenors, and the renowned Kerry songster Karen Trench, completing an exceptional lineup.
Speaking at a recent rehearsal Ray Conway talked about his enthusiasm for bringing ‘Cairdeas’ to select venues around Ireland:
“We are excited to bring this tour on the road. It is a great opportunity for traditional music enthusiasts to witness the very best of Irish talent on one stage. We want audiences leaving each performance feeling the joy and connection that music brings to our communities.”
The ‘Cairdeas’ tour will start at Cultúrlann na hÉireann, the Comhaltas headquarters in Monkstown Dublin on Saturday October 25th and this will be followed by performances in Dundalk, Belfast, Letterkenny, Ballina and Ennis, finishing at Brú Ború in Cashel on Friday 31st of October.
The venues and dates for the ‘Cairdeas’ tour are:
Saturday 25th October – Cultúrlann na hÉireann, Monkstown, Co.Dublin
Sunday 26th October – Táin Theatre, Dundalk, Co.Louth
Monday 27th October – Assembly Buildings, Belfast, Co.Antrim
Tuesday 28th October – An Grianán Theatre, Letterkenny, Co.Donegal
Wednesday 29th October – Ballina Arts Centre, Ballina, Co.Mayo
*Thursday 30th October – Cois na hAbhna, Ennis, Co.Clare
Friday 31st October – Brú Ború, Cashel, Co. Tipperary
Through words and music, song and dance, Cairdeas will take you on a unique journey celebrating how the ancient Irish concept of ‘cairdeas’ is central to our culture, forging connections between people and communities throughout our history and down to the present day.
The Producer and scriptwriter is Ray Conway, noted for his inspiring and imaginative work with the Comhaltas National Folk Orchestra of Ireland. The narrators are Diarmuid De Faoite and Ciana Campbell, both of whom are no strangers to television and radio. Music Director, the creative Cian Kearins.
CAIRDEAS is starring the celebrated Wexford Tenor Anthony Kearns, the Kerry songster of renown Karen Trench; multi-champion Ademar O’ Connor; Ciarán Fitzgerald of ‘MISNEACH’ fame; Noel Stapleton accordion champion 2025; William Holmes, multiinstrumentalist and full of surprises!; uilleann piper Iarla McMahon, the star of Armagh; harp queen Mary Kelly; Aileen Bourke, an acclaimed concertina player; Dancer supreme Liam Guiney, who taught Irish dancing to the King of England; Liam is joined by two world-class dancers Caelainn McGrath and Sophie Dunford.
Narrators:
Ciana Campbell
Diarmuid De Faoite
Singers: Karen Trench & Anthony Kearns
Dancers: Liam Guiney; Caelainn McGrath; Sophie Dunford
Musicians: Mary Kelly; Ademar O’ Connor; William Holmes; Iarla McMahon; Ciarán Fitzgerald; Noel Stapleton; Aileen Bourke; Liam Guiney.
Ray Conway is a graduate in Law and Politics and trained as a stage director with the Abbey Theatre. Over the years he has worked in theatre, radio, film, and corporate and music video production, as well as in public relations and media campaigns.
He has directed several productions for the Comhaltas National Folk Orchestra of Ireland, the most recent being ‘Seoda Loch Garman’ at the National Opera House, Wexford, for Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann, 2025.
Cian Kearins is a flute/whistle player and singer/lilter, living in Dublin but originally hailing from Co. Sligo. Born into the well-known musical Collis family he was surrounded by music when growing up in Sligo.
An All-Ireland Champion on many occasions at Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann, he is a regular performer, tutor and adjudicator at fleadhanna, festivals and workshops around the country and is also a member of the popular Dartry Ceili Band. Cian, alongside his wife Niamh O’Sullivan, has been the producer of several highly acclaimed Comhaltas Concert tours around Ireland, Britain, America and Canada since 2015.
