The music teachers May 15th, 2004 The only way is up for Lucan National school teachers Fiona Walshe and Maria Corbet, who are facing into the summer "hols" as backing musicians for Brian Kennedy's tour. The teachers are part of the up-and-coming traditional band Arcanadh, who were voted "best new band" at tte 2002 Lorient Festival in Brittany, and are currently promoting their new CD, Soundings". The group of four women and two men was formed in 2002. They met while students in St. Patrick's teacher training explains Maria, who lives at Foxborough. They have since toured throughout Europe, China, and the States. "It hard to have a full-time job and play in a band. It's tough at times and we spend a lot of time travelling. But we are having a great time at the moment," Maria says. Fiona, from Ballyowen, Lucan, teaches in Scoil Mhuire, Woodview NS. She plays the fiddle, whistle and bodhran while all of the band are hitting the high notes. "There is no lead singer so we all sing different songs throughout the new CD. It's a combination of vocals and some traditional tunes." Teaching is not the only thing that has connected the group. Two of the band members serenaded not only the crowds but also each other, as Waterford's Colum Breathnach and Donegal's Sinead Gibson got married in 2001. There are also a brother and sister in the band - Martin and Mags Gallen from Castleblaney, Co Monaghan. The accolade from the Lorient festival has been a high point in Arcanadh's rise to fame so far. "Alot of prominent acts like Sharon Shannon have won this so we are fairly hopeful about our future in the business", Maria explains. Maria, who teaches in Nutgrove, says the band are "on a high now" and are hoping to play in Denmark and do several other Irish festivals over the coming months, including the Brian Kennedy tour. They recently played the Irish Music Awards with the Dubliners, Dolores Keane and Eleanor McEvoy, and the St Patrick's night gig with Juliet Turner at the Waterfront in Belfast. Arcanadh are certainly in demand, Maria told the Gazette en route to Dublin and the day job after a weekend of gigging in Donegal.   « Return to News