Join us for a performance of live music with selected visuals, both photographs and videos, that portray the unique beauty of Ireland’s heritage, culture, landscape and people. Curated by renowned local photographer and musician, David Knight, Inspirational Ireland will feature the best of his extensive archive of images and videos most of which is drawn from the rich source of the northwest of Ireland.
Appropriate music will be chosen and performed live on clarinet by his father, Billy Knight, and local musicians Mossie Martin (fiddle and whistles) and Fiachra Guihen (harp and flute). A wonderful opportunity to rediscover and re-appreciate the magic of Ireland, the source of inspiration for so many artists, composers, writers and dreamers!
David Knight (Photographer / Guitar / Vocals)
David has lived and worked as a creative professional photographer and musician for over 40 years. He lives just outside the village of Cootehall in north Co. Roscommon. One of the original founders of the Boyle Arts Festival, he also helped establish the Old Barrel Store Arts Centre in Carrick-on-Shannon which was the forerunner of The Dock, the current arts centre. David has worked in Ireland and abroad for many years and has built up a unique collection
of photographs based on Ireland’s culture, heritage, landscape and people which will feature in this audio visual show accompanied by selected music from the northwest of Ireland and further afield.
Billy Knight (Clarinet)
Billy Knight is a Jazz and Classical clarinet player with over 70 years’ experience playing in Ireland’s Jazz scene. He has been in many well-known jazz bands such as ‘The Jazz Coasters’ which was one of Irelands top Dixieland jazz bands for many decades. Billy has been interested in South American jazz particularly Cuban over the last 20 years and he along with his son David have been playing in Dublin in various venues raising money for charities. He also has plays Irish music and has played in many sessions with David on his many visits to the area over the years.
Fiachra Guihen (Guitar / Harp / Flute)
Fiachra hails from between Keadue and Arigna in north Co. Roscommon, an area rich in Irish music heritage which includes blind harper Turlough O’Carolan and flute players John McKenna and Josie McDermott. His family is steeped in musical tradition, the best known being his uncle, flute player Tommy Guihen.
He has been successful in many All-Ireland Fleadh competitions, has featured on many radio and television programs and has performed in many of the best venues in Ireland including the National Concert Hall. A much sought after musician, Fiachra performs with several groups including ‘Gan Ainm’, ‘Seoid’, ‘Rough and Ready’ and his most recent project is a collaboration with fellow
Keadue musician Mossie Martin exploring the music and history of Turlough O’Carolan.
Mossie Martin (Whistle / Fiddle)
Mossie hails from Derrynacoosan near the village of Keadue in north Roscommon. His style is rooted in the North Connaught tradition and he performs regularly with the Dartry Ceili Band as well as collaborating with other traditional artists including Draíocht (June McCormack and Michael Rooney),
Leonard Barry, Sean and Noelle Carroll, Bernard Flaherty and Donal O’Connor.
A tutor of the well-established Music course (for all ages, instruments and levels, including beginners) based in Drumshanbo, Co. Leitrim, Mossie has been performing and teaching traditional music for over two decades and has recorded several times with the Dartry Ceili Band, Lúnasa and Dervish. He released a semi-solo album in 2019 entitled ‘The Humours of Derrynacoosan’ which features John Blake on guitar and keyboard and Mossie’s brother, sister and father on several tracks.
