The traditional music series Geantraí served as a cornerstone in TG4’s music programming for 17 years from 1996 until 2013 and the iconic series is making a comeback in January 2024! In this new thirteen-part series acclaimed singer and musician Ciarán Ó Gealbháin takes the helm as series presenter where he travels the length and breadth of the country to celebrate Ireland’s vibrant music session tradition.
Geantraí captures Irish traditional arts and folk music in a relaxed session setting, highlighting the vital connection between performers and listeners. The series encapsulates the essence of sessions as cultural linchpins and social spaces, documenting Irish traditional and folk musicians in their natural and often preferred environment – the session.
Geantraí serves as a platform for both distinguished and emerging artists rooted in Ireland’s music tradition, as well as paying tribute to the musicians and publicans that have helped to keep traditional arts and sessions alive to this day. This promises a distinctive and exciting night of music from each pub with musicians from the region featured in each episode. From Timoleague in West Cork to Dunkineely in Donegal, across to Ballisodare, County Sligo and to the village of Hollywood in Wicklow, the series covers music from across the entire island of Ireland.
Geantraí was the original showcase for traditional music on TG4 and the name and reputation of the series remains synonymous with traditional music, a reputation that will live on for future decades. The series carries an enormous legacy due to the quality of the series in days gone by and under the program’s previous stewardship by Tony and Joe McCarthy (Forefront Productions). With Paschal Cassidy at the helm of the new Geantraí programmes and with acclaimed music series such as Hup and Cúltír (TG4) and most recently Seisiún (RTÉ), Cassidy’s skill as a director will bring a new flare and style to Geantraí that promises not only a treat for devoted fans but also a captivating introduction for new audiences who might like to experience traditional music brought to their screens at home.
The series kicked off with a re-showing of last year’s Geantraí na Nollag which featured acts such as North Cregg, The Whileaways, Frankie Gavin and Conor Connolly, and many more. The new series began on Sunday, 7 January at 10.30p.m., and Geantraí airs every Sunday at the same time (see the full list of venues below). Don’t miss your chance to enjoy the very best of Irish traditional and folk music from the comfort of your home with Geantraí!
Ciarán Ó Gealbháin
“Geantraí was a pioneering series which presented Ireland’s traditional music in its most natural setting in recent times – the pub! It’s a wonderful thing that a new series of programmes will be back on the air again this Spring, giving a platform for traditional artists young and old. It’s an honour and a privilege for me to be part of this story’.
Presenter Bio
Ciarán Ó Gealbháin is the series presenter and is a highly acclaimed singer and musician from An Sean Phobal in the Déise Gaeltacht of Co. Waterford. Having toured extensively with the band Danú and performed and recorded with artists such as Liam Clancy, The Chieftains and many more, Ciarán continues to perform at festivals and concerts across the world and at home. A lecturer in Béaloideas (Folklore) in Univeristy College Cork, Ciarán’s wealth of knowledge of and familiarity with the Irish traditional arts and the Irish language is of immense value to the production of Geantraí.
Programmes in the Series – Sundays at 10.30p.m. on TG4 or TG4 Player
Please see list of artists beneath each episode.
Presenter Ciarán Ó Gealbháin features across the series.
**Special Programme – 25/12/2023 @ 10.25p.m. – Geantraí na Nollag
- 07/01/2024 – Tigh Uí Chéilleachair, Cill Fhíonáin (Luimneach)
Derek Hickey, Liam Flanagan, Claire O’Loughlin, Ciara Flanagan, María Ryan, Lucia McPartlin, Anita Bennis, Donie Nolan, Macdara Ó Faoláin, Seán Ó Fearghaíl.
- 14/01/2024 – Tigh Uí Chonchúir, Baile Easa Dara (Sligeach)
PJ Ó hIarnáin, Philip Duffy, Noelle Carroll, Seán Carroll,
Brian McDonagh, Ruth Clinton, Sinéad Johnston, Kate Gavin, Aaron Glancy, Leonard Barry, Andy Morrow.
- 21/01/2024 – Jim of the Mills, An Teampall Uachtarach (Tiobrad Árann)
Cáit Ní Riain, Jim Ryan, Ned Kelly, Claire Quinn, Fergal O’Neill, JP Reynolds, Síofra Thornton, Stephen Kennedy, Orla O’Brien, Eileen O’Brien, Áine Gleeson, Aidan O’Donnell, William Holmes, Ciarán Slattery.
- 28/01/2024 – Tigh Mhac an tSaoir, Dún Cionnaola (Dún na nGall)
Eugene McKenna, Ciarán McKenna, Peter McKenna, Lauren O’Neill, Matt McGranaghan, Jim Byrne, Síle Friel, Peter Campbell, Máirin Kerrigan, Bernard Kelly, Martin McGinley, Kevin O’Donnell.
- 04/02/2024 – Tigh Uí Mhaonaigh, An Rinn (Port Láirge)
Caoimhín Ó Fearghaíl, Paddy Tutty, Dónal Clancy, Seán Mac Craith, Karen Dolan, Jeremy Saich, Noel Clancy, Joseph Mannion, Clara Mannion, Rebecca McCarthy-Kent, Edel Fox, Neill Byrne, Lía Byrne, Macdara Ó Faoláin.
- 11/02/2024 – J.J. Hough’s, Beannchar (Uíbh Fháilí)
BackWest, Michaela Keenaghan, Sharon Carroll, Ciara McKeogh, Jamie McKeogh, James Hogan, Pádraig Kinsella, Séamus Kinsella, David Kinsella, Richard Kennedy, Ciara Callanan-Ryan, Seán Ryan.
- 18/02/2024 – Monk’s Lane, Tigh Molaige (Corcaigh)
Lily Munday, John Munday, Kate Ní Shé, Meadhbh Ní Shé, Eoin Ó Riabhaigh, Johnny McCarthy, Cormac McCarthy, Eimear Buckley, Méabh Buckley, Clodagh Buckley, Diarmuid O’Brien, Mairéad Ní Chathasaigh, Carol Leader, Richard Lucey, Jim Murray, John Herbert, William Hammond, Gemma Magner, Linda Quinlan.
- 25/02/2024 – Cleere’s, Cill Chainnigh
Dave Sheridan, Michelle Powderley, Eric de Buitléar, Tommy Fitzharris, Tommy Lannigan, Nell Ní Chróinín, Áine Donohoe, Brian Murphy, Megan McDonald, Mick Foley, Derek Morrissey, Brian Mooney, Eimer Casey, Robbie Walshe.
- 03/03/2024 – Dowling’s, An Chorrchoill (Cill Dara)
Aisling Ní Choisdealbha, Damian O’Brien, Adrian Scahill, John Fitzgerald, Ciarán Fitzgerald, Áine Fitzgerald, Eithne Ní Chatháin, Phil Clarke, Dan Gurney, Seán Marshall, Colm Ó Caoimh, Ryan Molloy, Seána Davey.
- 10/03/2024 – Boland’s, Mullach na Síodh (Ros Comáin)
Dylan Carlos, John Carlos, Shane Carlos, John Wynne, Liz Wynne, John McCartin
Lisa Ward, Sarah Ward, Niamh Ward, Fionnuala Maxwell, Patsy Hanly, Brian Duke, Tommy Guihan, James Donoghue, Joe Donoghue, Éamonn Donoghue, Seán Donoghue, Séamus Donoghue.
**Special Programme – 17/03/2024 – Geantraí Lá Fhéile Phádraig
- 24/03/2024 – McCague’s, An Bhoth (Muíneachán)
Méabh Smyth, Marty Barry, Pádraig McGovern, Dave Sheridan, Bláithín Mhic Cana, Piaras Ó Lorcáin, Seána McCague, Dónal McCague, Seán McElwain, Seán McCague.
- 31/03/2024 – Tutty’s, Cillín Chaoimhín (Cill Mhantáin)
Kevin Conneff, Michelle O’Brien, Peter Browne, Cillian Doheny, Paul Meehan, Colm Broderick, Meadhbh Broderick, Rosa Carroll, Ann Healy, Eileen Healy, María Healy, Joe McHugh, Mick Crowe, Eimer Casey, Barry Carroll.
- 07/04/2024 – P. Clarke’s, An Uaimh (An Mhí)
Aidan Connolly, Pádraic Keane, Fergus McGorman, Ruairí McGorman, Geraldine Smith, Áine Ní Chróinín, Patrick O’Loughlin, John Daly, Paddy McEvoy, Ruairí Summers, Ciarán Hesnan, Brian Carolan, Tom Darby, Saoirse Nic Aogáin.
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