siamsa the galway folk theatre

Siamsa na Gaillimhe's explosive mix of music, song, dance and folk drama provides a heady introduction to the finest in Irish culture. From fast and furious jigs to madcap reels, our diverse and exhilarating artistic tradition is showcased in a spirited celebration of the rich heritage of the West of Ireland. Seventeen singers, musicians and dancers in traditional dress whirl through an evening packed with rhythm and energy, cutting across all language boundaries, as time is not given to lengthy introductions in any language.

Instead, two different dance traditions - skillful set dancing, and the technically intricate step dance - are performed, echoing the strong traditional rhythms played by All Ireland award winning musicians. Tin whistle, fiddle, flute, harp, bodhran, accordion, concertina and mandolin players fuse the oldest tunes and dance music with arrangements by modern Irish composers such as Sean O'Riada and Charlie Lennon, giving a dynamic and powerful demonstration of Irish music today.