Image
Performers: Anita Bennis, Donie Nolan, and Aileen Dillane
Longtime musical collaborators and friends, Donie Nolan (accordion/voice), Anita Bennis (fiddle/whistling/keyboards) and Aileen Dillane (keyboards/flute) present a concert of music and song that draws from West Limerick sources, tune settings, and genres, along with other favourites from the tradition.
Anita Bennis is a West Limerick musician from Glenquin, Co. Limerick, and an all-Ireland-winning fiddler and whistler who has taught fiddle-lessons from the age of 16. Anita has completed the TTCT and the B.Ed. Primary school teaching degree and has made school and music-teaching her career. In 2009, she graduated with first class honours in the MA Irish Traditional music performance at the University of Limerick. She continues to teach and perform fiddle, whistling and piano accompaniment. In 2019, she recorded a 5-track E.P. which includes 3 tracks of whistling, some singing and a taste of fiddle playing.
Donie Nolan is an accordion player and singer from Kilcolman in West Limerick who is particularly celebrated for his uplifting ceilí music playing and his fine singing voice. In 2016 Donie brought out an album ‘Donie Nolan: The Banks of the Abha Bhán’ to critical acclaim. The work brings together so many of Donie’s local influences, in terms of style and repertoire, from over the years. Donie is lauded as a highly influential musician not only in terms of West Limerick musicians but much further afield. His constant touring and appearances at key ceilí dance events nationally and internationally are testament to the wonderful dance quality of his playing.
Aileen Dillane is a flute and piano player from Templeglantine in West Limerick, who has been playing music with the local Comhaltas branch since she was a child. Aileen has a long musical friendship with Anita through Comhaltas, and also learned her trade as an accompanist working with Donie when she was a teenager. As a member of CCÉ Teampall and Ghleanntáin, Aileen has numerous group and solo medals from a variety of competitions over the years, including the 2010 Senior Ceili band competition.