Text By Jude Mead
Photo Courtesy of Teada

 To celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, the Norfolk Library will open its Great Hall to welcome the well-known Irish band Teada. This group was first recognized in Ireland in 2001 when they made an appearance on the television series, Flosc. Since then, they appeared as a frequent headliner at major music festivals throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico, Europe, Africa, Russia, the Middle East and Australia.

They are known worldwide and considered one of the busiest Irish touring acts. Teada has headlined for an audience of more than thirty thousand people but enjoys performing for smaller venues in a more comfortable setting where they can personally connect to the listeners. Their music blends the modern with the traditional as they play reels, jigs, and slips.

The musicians share many things in common, the first being their affinity for traditional Irish music. Oisín Mac Diarmada is the founder of Téada and plays  the fiddle. He is a graduate in Music Education from Trinity College Dublin. Although Mac Diarmada has been described as one of the most gifted and creative traditional fiddlers playing today, he credits the other musicians for the group’s success.

Paul Finn, who Mac Diarmada considers to be one of Ireland’s finest button accordion players, is known for his pulsating and rhythmic performance style. Finn tutors at workshops and festivals internationally when he isn’t touring with the band. Another member of the band is Seán Gavin. He plays the flute and uilleann pipes. His distinct style is recognized worldwide. Gavin founded the non-profit Irish Music Institute and remains true to teaching traditional Irish music.

On guitar is Patrick Doocey. He is one of the most in-demand accompanists on the Irish music scene today. A self-taught guitarist, Doocey excels on both nylon and steel string guitar. He combines many musical genres including jazz, hip hop, rhythm and blues, and rock. Caitríona Sherlock is the vocalist. She has performed internationally with Irish Christmas music in America and the Choral Scholars of University College Dublin. She came to the band’s attention after winning the All-Ireland titles for singing in two thousand thirteen and two thousand seventeen. 

Teada’s passion for traditional Irish music is evident in their concerts. Most of them grew up in rural Ireland listening to older musicians and the music of the past. Today, however, they bring to the stage a quality and energy that captures the “rawness and individuality of the solo artist within a modern group context”. 

These talented musicians create music that requires skill and dedication to their craft. Teada’s specific style of music, whether it is a traditional Irish tune or an original song, creates an emotional experience that leaves the audience tapping its feet or dreaming of the Emerald Isle. Teada will perform on Sunday, March nineteenth from 5:30 to 6:30pm at the Norfolk Library. Please call the library or go online to make reservations.