Trad and tested

In normal times, a stroll along Coburg Street might often mean one thing: you’re on the hunt for a trad session and a pint or three of the black stuff.

Those days seem like a dream now, but the silence is soon to be broken thanks to a new collaboration between the Everyman and music promotion company Islander.

Starting next Friday with The Corner House Session, the Behind the Curtain live music series will see live music streamed from some of Cork’s most iconic music venues.

For years, the Corner House on Coburg Street has been the stomping ground for some of the best traditional musicians in the city, making it the perfect venue to kick off this unique series.

Getting the ball rolling will be piper Eoin Ó Riabhaigh, fiddle and flute player Johnny McCarthy, box player and songwriter Con Fada Ó Drisceoil, and guitar and bouzouki player Pat ‘Herring’ Ahern.

MC on the night will be actor and singer Bláithín MacGabhann whose family run the famous pub and who grew up surrounded by the finest trad Cork had to offer.

“Before the Corner House opened, my father owned and ran the Spailpín. The Four Star Trio, made up of Johnny, Con Fada and Pat, started playing there in the ‘80s. When my parents decided to move on and start a new pub, Johnny, Con Fada and Pat followed them,” says Bláithín.

Bláithín, who began working behind the bar at the age of 17, describes how she watched the lads play with guests from all over the country and how dancers would often stop by when they were in town to join the trio for the night.

Bláithín says: “The Four Star Trio are the real deal, and a gang of absolute messers. I’m very glad to be presenting this show; it'll be like inviting ye into my home. And after a year with no guests, a virtual visit will be very welcome indeed.”

The Corner House Session will stream live from 8pm on 2 April. This is a free event, with ticketholders asked to donate what they can with all monies going directly towards employing local musicians and artists to develop, and present, new performances. Booking for the event is essential and can be done at everymancork.com.