Jeremiahs bring the old country to Maine

Performances in Portland,
Farmington and Harrison

EAST DIXFIELD — New England Celtic Arts, due in part to a grant from Culture Ireland, will present Ireland’s The Jeremiahs. Show times and locations are as follows: 7 p.m. Monday, June 19, at North Church Concerts, 118 High St., Farmington; 7 p.m. Tuesday, June 20, at One Lonfellow Square, 181 State St., Portland; and 7:30 p.m. Thursday, June 22, at Deertrees Theatre, 156 Deertrees Road, Harrison.

From the outset, The Jeremiahs grabbed the attention of the heavyweights like Irish Music Magazine whose Sean Laffey says they are “one of the freshest bands in traditional music “and Live Ireland who published “They are the real deal.”

The band shapes its sound with Dubliner Joe Gibney’s vocals and some whistle; Brian Corry from County Clare on whistle, flute and fiddle; Dublin based James Ryan who holds down the rhythm section on guitar, bouzouki and a few choice effects pedals; and finally Jean Christophe Morel, a frenchman drawn to Dublin by Irish Traditional Music, who does the bulk of the fiddle.

The band heralded its arrival and gained immediate recognition by winning the Ballyshannon Folk Festival showcase competition the first year out. Two years later, The Jeremiah’s self titledc album is out. Thus far the band has graced many stages during successful tours in countries such as Ireland; Russia; Germany; Denmark; England and Scotland. This will be their first U.S. tour.

Cost for tickets is $15 in Farmington and Portland, and $22 in Harrison.

FMI: tickets: Farmington — 207-778-2006, Portland — 207-761-1757, 207-5836747.