Pat Shortt and Mike Hanrahan team up with local musicians for new RTÉ series 'Songs of Ireland'
The series this Saturday starts with a heartfelt journey through Mike’s native Clare, where he and Pat meet acclaimed musician Tara Breen
Entertainer and musician Pat Shortt and Stockton’s Wing frontman Mike Hanrahan team up for an exhilarating musical adventure across Ireland in the new series Songs of Ireland.
The four-part series, starting on Saturday, April 27 at 9.15 pm on RTÉ One sees the pair take a musical road trip around the island of Ireland, combining the richness of Irish music, unique Irish culture, and the camaraderie of shared stories.
In each episode, Pat and Mike traverse the picturesque landscapes of Ireland, uncovering the history and significance behind some of the nation's most beloved songs.
Joining forces with both new and established local musicians in each county, Pat and Mike put their own twist on these prolific Irish songs, through unique performances in local venues across the country.
Speaking about the series, Pat Shortt said: “'Songs of Ireland' isn't just about the melodies; it's about the stories behind them, the places they come from, and the people who keep them alive. Embarking on this series with my old friend Mike has been an incredible experience, and we look forward to sharing our journey with audiences across the country”.
Tara is a highly talented multi-instrumentalist who has achieved All-Ireland titles on fiddle in every age category over the years, culminating with the All-Ireland Senior Fiddle Title in 2012. Tara is also an All-Ireland winner on the flute and saxophone, and has won 11 solo All Ireland Fleadh titles and 10 group All Ireland Fleadh titles.
In 2011, Tara was chosen to play at Dublin Castle for the Queen of England during her State visit to Ireland, and in 2014, joined six-time Grammy award winning band The Chieftains for their North American tour.
Tara joined the legendary band, Stockton’s Wing in 2015 and in 2018 joined Heartbeat of Home and toured China and Germany for 6 months, finishing with a 6 week run in the West End.
Other highlights include a moving performance of Raglan Road with Asha Ari in Dublin, a rendition of Eileen Óg with Dervish’s Cathy Jordan in Roscommon, and an adaptation of The Reason I Left Mullingar with the band Cronin. The series culminates in the beautiful green glens of Co Donegal where Eve Belle joins Pat and Mike to perform Gleanntáin Ghlas Ghaoth Dobhair.
Tune into Songs of Ireland on Saturday, April 27th at 9.15 pm on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player.