Blending Middle Eastern and traditional Irish music, Macalla at the Regional Cultural Centre, Letterkenny was a new music collaboration between Irish and Iraqi folk and traditional musicians. Inspired by the music of Celtic harpist Turlough O’Carolan, the commission featured Lucia McGinnis (Harp), Niwar Issa (Qanun), Saman Kareem (Oud), Helin Star Qadir (Violin), Kawar Rajab Khalid (Percussion) from the pan-Iraqi ensemble Mshakt with Martin Coyle (Bouzouki), Denise Boyle (Fiddle) and Paul Cutliffe (Uilleann pipes and whistle) of the North West Folk Collective. The project was funded by British Council. Special thanks to Tanya Mahir, Ahmed Adnan, Nabaa Algaber and Colette Norwood. Photos: Donna El Assaad, Earagail Arts Festival
