The Spirit of the West will premiere in the Claregalway Hotel on Saturday and Sunday, 22-23 July. The spectacular new show of pure, honest, traditional Irish music, song and dance, will be fronted by Matt Keane and his daughter, Orlaith, on vocals and they will be joined by a host of some of the finest traditional musicians from the Galway region.

The show had its genesis over a pint or two, or more, out on Inishbofin back in April, when Matt Keane and his son-in-law Colm Naughton found themselves in the zone where ideas begin to flow.

One idea led to another as the night rolled by, and soon both realised they were at the dawn of a venture that was ready to roll. It was just a matter of going back to the fountain of inspiration in Carragh, Caherlistrane, and the rich Irish tradition passed down to them by Sarah and Rita Keane in the old thatched cottage where no one was ever a stranger, the place where people came for an hour and stayed for a few days.

Over the last few weeks, Matt and Colm have been busy laying the foundations for the new show. They hit a real winner with the title, The Spirit of the West. There is something about the West and the warm hospitality that has been so much at the heart of the five western counties, and nearby Clare, down through the decades.

“Things have rambled in and out of my mind for a few years, but the chat with Colm was the first time that we kind of nailed it down and decided to do it now,” says Matt, a brother of well-known legends Dolores and Seán Keane.

“We are all excited about this show, which will be produced to a very high standard, and we have chosen the Claregalway Hotel because it is the venue where we have hosted our traditional Christmas shows for the last few years. We feel so comfortable in this hotel. It’s like sitting around the fire at home, enjoying a good auld session.

“We will have a segment dedicated to my late aunts Sarah and Rita Keane, and other members of the Keane family of Caherlistrane. Songs such as Once I Loved and The Moorlough Shore will be included in the show, as will some of their favourite jigs and reels; and even some of the old house dances that once graced the floor of the old cottage in Carragh.”

The format of the show will see them welcome some guests along the way to future shows and it easy to visualise why the omens look so good.

Matt and Orlaith will be joined by Maria Fahy on fiddle, Kenny Fahy on bodhrán, and Colm Naughton on banjo, mandolin, bouzouki and guitar. Also on board is Catherine McHugh on piano from nearby Castlehackett, who is also a wonderful fiddle player and who is currently working as a full-time musician in Dublin. Conor Connolly (21) from Clarinbridge will feature on accordion.

They are also delighted to have enlisted the talents of Pádraic Keane from Maree, Oranmore, on pipes and whistles. In 2011, Pádraig was awarded Gradam Ceoil TG4 – Ceoltóir Óg na Bliana (TG4 Music Award – Young Musician of the Year). He is son of Waterford native Tommy Keane, the well-known piper, and Jacqueline McCarthy (Clare), an accomplished concertina player. Emily Greaney (14), already the holder of a number of All-Ireland honours, joins the cast on the harp.

The special guest singer for the two nights is Matt’s older brother, Pat, who will return to his traditional roots for these shows. Pat is well known for his love of the songs of Merle Haggard and Hank Williams, which he performs at the Keane Family Concerts each Christmas in Claregalway.

The renowned Abbeyknockmoy Dancers, winners of numerous All-Ireland set-dancing titles at underage level, complete the lineup for what should be two tremendous nights in Claregalway.

The Spirit of the West debuts in the Claregalway Hotel on 22-23 July. Tickets are €25 and are now available from the hotel reception on 091-738300 and also from Quinn’s Shop, Bishop Street, Tuam, on 093-26060. CL