Éire is Alba

The RTÉ Concert Orchestra, under conductor David Brophy, join legendary folk musicians, RTÉ CO Associate Artist Zoë Conway, John Mc Intyre, Julie Fowlis and Éamon Doorley. Celebrating a shared heritage where Ireland and Scotland meet, traditional and folk styles meet classical music.

A number of pieces composed by Zoë Conway and arranged by Gavin Murphy include Straif, composed for the film From A Forest to A Fiddle, Ómós Sheamuis, Duirt Bean Liom and Bearna Mheabh. Other selections include the beautiful Faoiseamh A Gheobhadsa and Desert Storm – Rounding Malin Head.

Songs from Julie Fowlis’ album alterum, a haunting homage to the Scottish Hebrides, include the mesmeric string piece Théid mi do Loch Àlainn and traditional Galician song Camariñas.

From the quartet’s upcoming album, performances of Cuimhne and Fidléir Gleann Finne will blend the cultural history of the islands, languages and textures.

Other highlights in the programme include Father and Son, from the Artemis Fowl soundtrack, written by Patrick Doyle for Zoë Conway, and Fodor dha na Gamhna Beaga masterfully sung in a puirt à beul style.