Dulwich Folk at the Castle 280 Crystal Palace Road 15 January 7.30 ; Irish Night- Marianne McaLeer and Grace Lemon

[Dulwich Folk]

We're starting the New year with an Irish night and are very lucky to have two outstanding guests, both of whom should be much more widely known than they are.

Marianne has long been one of Ireland's finest singers of traditional songs, some of which she learned from her father. Marianne is a subtle but intense singer; her singing is renowned for its her command of decoration but more importantly her obvious love of the songs and enjoyment of singing. As well as folk clubs and festivals she has performed at a wide range of venues including the Irish Embassy, a Lord Mayor's chapel and a Bishop's Palace, her local Somerset woodland & the queue for stamps in Belmullet's Post office, County Mayo. She has won the All Britain Fleadh Cheoil nine times over in singing in both English & in Irish, and is a world champion lilter. Marianne has also written memorable songs. Check her out on youtube.

Grace Lemon was born into an Irish family and was brought up in Cambridge. Taking up the pipes and whistle from an early age she is a veteran of the Irish music scene. Grace is a four times all-Ireland pipe champion who has performed at the Albert Hall, Cambridge Folk festival and Celtic Connections among others. Recently Grace has been working with another piper, Paddi Benson, on an original work based on Bedlam. She has a CD due in early 2023.

Fiddle players are pretty common but bafflingly it is very rare for a piper to be a featured folk club artist in England, so don't miss this chance.

As well as playing and performing separately, Marianne and Grace are hoping to work together on some material this evening.