FERMANAGH musicians are being asked to tune up their instruments and organise a ‘Trad for Trócaire’ session.

Trócaire and Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann are asking traditional Irish musicians from the County to tune up their instruments and organise a session in support of Trad for Trócaire week, which takes place from Friday, September 26 to Friday, October 3.

During Trad for Trócaire week, trad musicians, music fans and venues hold traditional Irish music sessions in aid of Trócaire’s work across the developing world. The campaign celebrates two great aspects of local culture – our deep musical heritage and our history of goodwill towards people living in extreme hardship in poor countries.

Eithne McNulty, Trócaire’s director in Northern Ireland, explained: “Over the last five years, trad musicians across Co. Fermanagh have embraced Trad for Trócaire, by coming together and sharing their talent and music to reach out to people living in great need. We have been inspired by the warm welcome we have received from Ireland’s trad musicians, north and south, and by their generosity during each Trad for Trócaire week.

“Trócaire and Comhaltas are asking musicians, venues and music lovers to join us again this year by supporting Trad for Trócaire week and setting up a local trad music session. We are indebted to members of the Fermanagh trad music community for their commitment and generosity and are looking forward to another uplifting week of ‘ceoil agus craic’.” In the last five years over 1,300 Irish trad music sessions in aid of Trócaire have been held as part of Trad for Trócaire.

Trad for Trócaire week runs from September 26 to October 3. To get involved and order a Trad for Trócaire fundraising pack with posters, flyers, wristbands, t-shirts, balloons and collection buckets or to support a Fermanagh Trad for Trócaire gig, visit trocaire.org/trad or call 0800 912 1200.