The University of Ulster’s Magee campus will come alive to the sound of jigs and reels next week when students from the Traditional Irish Music Society host their annual ‘Trad on Campus Day’.The student society has organised a packed programme of workshops, sessions and events culminating in an evening performance by the acclaimed young traditional group Beoga in Sandino’s Bar on Thursday 22 April at 9pm.

The Magee Traditional Irish Music Society was established in 2008 under the guidance of Dr Liz Doherty, Lecturer in Traditional Music at the University of Ulster. The aim of the society is to promote and expand traditional music within the University, the city of Derry and beyond.  Members have represented the University at concerts and festivals around the world and have forged valuable links with traditional music societies in universities across Ireland.

Paula Kiernan, third-year music student and event organiser, said:  “Magee will really be buzzing with activity and the sound of traditional music on the 22 April. As well as the evening headline performance by Beoga we will also be presenting an outdoor Ceili infront of the Learning Resource Centre at noon and a  lunchtime concert in the Foyle Arts Building at 1pm, featuring music students from Magee, Dundalk, Dublin and Belfast.  We even have a bingo session ‘as gaeilge’ at 11am in the Students’ Union.”She added: “We are delighted that Beoga, one of the most exciting and creative bands on the traditional music scene will be our featured artists for this year’s event. Beoga are renowned for their upbeat performances and their unique and fresh approach to traditional Irish music.  They are an inspiration for young traditional players and we are delighted that we will also have an opportunity to benefit from workshops led by the band members during the day.”

Tickets for the Beoga concert, priced £10/£8 are available from the Cultural Development Office on: 028 7137 5456 and also from Sandino’s Bar and An Cultúrlann, Great James St, Derry. All other events are free.  For full details contact the Cultural Development Office at:  culture@ulster.ac.uk.