Pigeon on the Gate: our new traditional music series for kids!
Live from Clocktower Studios, it’s Pigeon on the Gate!
In 2020, Ceol Connected and Tradoodle Festival in partnership with Monaghan County Council commissioned Áine McGeeney, Caitlín Nic Gabhann, Síle Denvir and Barry Kerr – four renowned and highly respected traditional artists – to compose a suite new music and songs for young audiences. From Barry Kerr’s ‘The Laughing Seagull’ slow reel to Áine McGeeney’s ‘The Dinner Dance’ hop jig, the Pigeon on the Gate musicians have composed a truly wonderful selection tunes and songs that will delight and enthral young listeners. Watch the Official Trailer HERE.
It wasn’t long before our Pigeon on the Gate commission ‘grew wings’ so-to-speak! The project, led and directed by Ceol Connected’s Artistic Director Thomas Johnston blossomed into an 8-episode ‘TV series’ presented by our very own Elfin the pigeon (created and voiced by Thomas Baker). Elfin is charming, funny, and relentlessly curious, and he has a unique ability to connect with his musical guests who happen upon his bench in Clocktower Studios.
Set designer Emma Fisher-Owen designed a backdrop and animations for Pigeon on the Gate that even the most illustrious of Saturday night chat shows would be envious of! Young viewers (and their adults) can also be on the lookout for some well-known Monaghan landscapes that feature in each of Emma’s animations. Step-in carpenter Colin Bartley, lighting designer Sebastian Pizarro, sound engineer Tomás Donaghy, animation assistant Ivan Fisher-Owen, and cinematographer Gary de Búit from Studio 8 Labs, and Pigeon on the Gate was born!
Pigeon on the Gate was funded by the Arts Council’s Traditional Arts Commissions Award with additional support from Monaghan County Council, Music Generation Tipperary, and Draíocht Arts Centre.
The series will be presented by Tradoodle Festival Monaghan and our partners Music Generation Tipperary and Draíocht Arts Centre on Monday 8th November via Tradoodle TV. Sign-up today HERE
About Pigeon on the Gate
Have you ever met a pigeon who has their very own TV show? No? Well, now’s your chance!
You are invited to the online premiere of Pigeon on the Gate presented by none other than the charming, funny, and relentlessly curious Elfin the Pigeon.
Elfin loves music and he loves meeting new people. Every day he looks forward to chatting to musicians who sit on his bench in Clocktower Studios.
“Who who who are you?” he coos when a special musical guest arrives. Across this 8-episode series of Pigeon on the Gate, commissioned by Tradoodle Festival, Elfin will interview four fabulous musicians who have composed brand new music and songs for the occasion.
Get ready for exquisite music, singalong songs, toe-tapping dance, and delightful banter with Elfin and some of Ireland’s finest traditional musicians – Áine McGeeney, Caitlín Nic Gabhann, Síle Denvir, and Barry Kerr.
Pigeon on the Gate is produced by Ceol Connected. Developed with the support of Monaghan County Council, Music Generation Tipperary, and Draíocht Arts Centre. Funded by the Arts Council through the Traditional Arts Commissions Award.
