Irish trad group Réalta bring their brand of music to an appreciative audience In Downpatrick
The Belfast-based Irish trad group Réalta played their final gig of their Irish tour at the Down Arts Centre in Downpatrick to a full and very appreciative audience.
Their performance was initially understated when they took to the stage, but after the first few bars of music their talents shone through the darkness of the hall like a bright star as they fired out a stream of toe-tapping music.
A duo of Uileann pipers with Conor Lamb and Löic Blejaen underpinned many of the pieces creating a riveting depth to the tunes. And the dimension broadened with the superb guitar work of Deridre Galway.
And also Myles McCormack on guitar performed songs such as a rendition of Bob Dylan’s ‘The Times are a Changing‘. Myles also brilliantly played the whistle, and sang the mournful ‘Mulroy Bay.‘
Ciara Maquire, who was a past pupil of the Assumption Grammar School in Ballynahinch, played fiddle and never missed a note with her mournful slow aires and fast reels.
Underpinning the music was Dermot Moyna on bodhran giving the music that distinctive finish and rhythm. The sum total of all of their layers of sound was a matrix of music, harmonious and exciting.
Conor Lamb played a number of his own pieces, one a trilogy of a dog, starting off in a slow tempo and the group ending in a fast-paced reel.
The energy and originality of their music was itself a breath of fresh air blowing away all hitherto conceptions of what Irish music was all about.
Each played solo, showing off their remarkable talents. It may be said that Réalta continued where The Bothy Band left off. Their music pulsed through the evening in slow rhythms and and at times crescendoing to reels reverbrating from the rafters.
At times, their music carried a strong emotional tone and an excitement of musicians in full flow absolutely loving what they do.
The Reálta members offer musical training in groups or one-to-one sessions. You can find out more about the group on their website.
Check out the Down Arts Centre website.
See and hear Réalta here.
