Cherish the Ladies

For over 39 years, Cherish the Ladies, one of America’s most heralded Irish music ensembles, have won the hearts of audiences around the world with their rousing blend of traditional music, captivating vocals, and propulsive step dancing.  Since their inception, they have toured the world performing thousands of concerts from the White House to the Olympics, recorded 18 critically acclaimed albums and an Emmy award winning PBS television program, “An Irish Homecoming”.  Under the leadership of Joanie Madden, the 2021 National Heritage Fellowship Award winner and All-Ireland flute and whistle champion, these extremely gifted women create an incredible moving experience brimming with sheer talent and exuberant entertainment.  Their group includes All-Ireland champions Mirella Murray (accordion) and Nollaig Casey (fiddle) along with the nimble finger-work of Mary Coogan (guitar), the beautiful vocals of County Clare songstress Kate Purcell (lead vocals, guitar) and the extremely talented Glasgow based, Kathleen Boyle on piano. World champion dancers will add their magical footwork to the performances. Madden and her band have amassed a long, impressive list of awards at home and in Ireland, including being forever immortalized with a street named in their honor on the Grand Concourse in the Bronx, NY. No matter how far from home, their continued success as one of the best-loved Irish groups rests on their blend of virtuoso instrumentals, beautiful vocals, traditional and original arrangements along with stunning step dancing — all presented with extraordinary talent, creativity, and humor. The New York Times calls their music “passionate, tender, and rambunctious,” and The Washington Post praises their “astonishing array of virtuosity.”  This will be their biggest Belfast show yet and it promises to blow the roof off the Mandela Hall! “It is simply impossible to imagine an audience that wouldn’t enjoy what they do.” - The Boston Globe  Presented by Belfast TradFest Full Bar Available  All Ages. U14’s to be accompanied by an adult