The premiere of a specially commissioned Breton-Irish collaboration, highlighting the musical crosscurrents between Mayo and Brittany, through explorations of shared cultural heritage, language, tunes, rhythms, songs and more. Led by Laoise Kelly and Jean-Michel Veillon, the collaboration features Breton musicians Jean-Michel Veillon (flute/bombarde), Anne Auffret (vocals/harp), Clotilde Trouillaud (harp), Erwan Menguy (Breton pipes/binioù), Antonin Volson (Bass/percussion) and Erwan Berenguer (guitar) and Mayo artists Laoise Kelly (harp), Julie Langan (fiddle), Diarmuid Gielty (fiddle), Liam Dever (bagpipes) and Liam Scanlon (dance).

Jean-Michel Veillon is at the forefront of modern interpretation and development of the Breton musical tradition. He has achieved widespread recognition as one of world’s premier traditional flute players and is widely credited with introducing and popularising the wooden flute in Breton Music. His playing, characterised by its energy, depth of expression and technical virtuosity continues to exert a huge influence on an entire generation of musicians. Founder member of some of Brittany’s most legendary groups such as Den, Kornog, Pennou Skoulm, Barzaz and Dan Ar Braz band, he has also worked with legendary jazz guitarist Jacques Pellen, Zakir Hussein & Pulse of the World, guitarists Yvon Riou, Gilles Le Bigot and jazz flute player Jean-Mathias Petri.
‘If you have any interest in the flute, folk or otherwise, Jean-Michel Veillon’s recordings are, like Matt Molloy’s, indispensable” ...Jem Hammond (Taplas Folk Magazine, Wales).

Laoise Kelly, considered the most significant harper of her generation, has pioneered a new style of driving instrumental harping as evidenced in her three critically acclaimed solo CD’s. A founding member of traditional Irish group ‘Bumblebees’ and cross-cultural group ‘Fiddletree’ with musicians from America, Cape Breton and Scotland, Kelly has collaborated with the likes of The Chieftains, Christy Moore, Sharon Shannon, Dónal Lunny, Tommy Makem, Matt Molloy, Kate Bush and many more. She currently collaborates and tours with piper Tiarnán Ó Duinnchinn; Albiez Trio with Cormac Breatnach & Tola Custy; singer and accordion player Breanndán Begley and Scottish Gaelic singer Kathleen MacInnes.

Commissioned by Achill International Harp Festival and funded by The Arts Council.