An evening with The Weaving at Cafe No9

Event information

The Weaving is Méabh Begley (accordion, vocals) and Owen Spafford (fiddle) and Cait Ni
Riain (piano, vocals). This trio brings together the rich musical traditions of three counties
Kerry, Tipperary and Yorkshire, their three regions of origin.

Méabh Begley is a singer, songwriter and musician whose musical expression
and stylings are deeply rooted within the Irish music, language and song tradition
of her homeplace of Corca Dhuibhne, the Gaeltacht of West Kerry, Ireland. A
native Irish speaker, Méabh was born into the renowned musical family of the

Begleys whose undeniable influence has helped in shaping her energetic
instrumental playing, emotive and sensitive singing style as well as inspired her
development of, and transition into her passion for composing and songwriting.
Méabh has enjoyed a full time career in traditional Irish music thus far and has
performed both nationally and internationally in countries such as Japan, Taiwan,
America, Canada, Russia and across Europe with groups such as acclaimed Irish
band Téada, The Pure Irish Drops (The Women of Ireland- The Next Generation),
Cuas, Catherine Young Dance, Irish Christmas in America and “Aisling? – An Ród
Romhainn” directed by Darach Mac an Iomaire.
Owen Spafford is a fiddle player and composer from Leeds. Owen has performed
for the leaders of the commonwealth states, toured with Giffords Circus and has
received a scholarship to study composition at the Royal Academy of Music.
Owen is also an All-Britain Fiddle Champion in the Fleadh Cheoil na Breataine,
BBC Young Composer Competition nominee and has studied with Sam Amidon
and John Dipper. Equally at home in a traditional session as he is in a free
improvisation workshop, Spafford's understanding of the oral tradition and love
for vernacular music from around the world enables an inventive and thoughtful
fiddle style. In 2022 Owen released a debut album with guitarist Louis Campbell
which Martin Hayes described as “a beautiful, moody and tasteful recording that
defies classification. The arrangements and playing are truly subtle and the
sounds are pristine.”
Cáit Ní Riain is a traditional singer, multi instrumentalist, and folklorist from
Upperchurch in Co. Tipperary. She grew up in the world renowned music pub, Jim
of the Mills, where she was deeply influenced by the constant stream of musicians
and singers that came from near and far, gaining a deep appreciation for her
own culture and its place and relevance in the world. She studied music and Irish
in University College Cork where she was awarded the Quercus scholarship for
receiving the highest results in the arts department. She also received the Donal
Doc Gleeson award for excellence in musical performance. Cáit continued her
studies in the National Folklore Collection in University College Dublin, where she
completed her MA thesis on the songs and associating folklore in North Tipperary,
being awarded the Máire Mac Néill scholarship for excellence in research. Cáit
has received medals in the All-Ireland Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann for both
traditional singing in English and in Irish. She has performed and collaborated
alongside various artists, musicians, singers, and ensembles for many years in
Ireland and further afield in the United States and Europe. Cáit is currently working
on her first album of traditional songs.

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Please note this ticket price DOES include a BYOB fee should you wish to bring alcohol to the venue.

All additional purchases of drinks and sweet treats from the cafe counter are always very much appreciated.