Traditional Music and Song from West Limerick

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.