Suaimhneas

As part of NI Mental Health Arts Festival, the Duncairn is happy to announce another special 'Suaimhneas' event, a name which translates as 'peace, calm, tranquility, rest'. That's the atmosphere we set out to create within our downstairs gig space to encourage total relaxation as you listen to some of Ireland's best new musicians in the chilled out folk and ambient scene.

On Thursday 18 May, the audience will be limited to 50 people. Soft furnishings, a custom-made set and mood lighting will add to the experience as we create a meditative space to let the music wash over you and help release any stress and tension. We all deserve a break, and what better time than during Mental Health Awareness Week 2023.

The soundtrack to this instalment of Suaimhneas are Paddy McKeown and Daniel Luke, with some more guests on the night.

Paddy McKeown is a musician, composer, and visual artist based in Belfast. He is best known as a multi-instrumentalist and session musician, who has performed at renowned festivals including Isle of Wight, Celtic Connections, Ballyshannon Folk Festival, and The Trip To Birmingham TradFest. He is also a valuable member of the Duncairn Creative Collective and one third of experimental trad trio McKeown, McAuley and McCullough.

Daniel Luke is a pianist, composer and arranger hailing from Cabra, Dublin. In early 2020, Daniel embarked on a new and personal project: a collection of solo piano compositions that would become his debut album, "Shadow Dance." Recorded in his childhood home, on the piano he learned to play on, the album represents a labor of love and a lifetime of learning.