The sound of fiddle and penny whistle could be heard across the Maynooth Morning Market last Saturday as a new addition to the weekly gathering of vendors made its debut — the Maynooth Morning Jam.
The jam marks the launch of a new buskers stage, now up and running every Saturday morning at 10 a.m.
Hastings Highlands events co-ordinator Amy Doole says musicians of all kinds are welcome to sign up and perform — whether it’s one or two songs, or a full hour or two, whatever fits their schedule.
“This is your opportunity to entertain the market and show visitors what Maynooth is all about,” said Doole. “We’ve missed live music, and this is a great spot to bring it back.”
Interested performers can sign up by contacting the Hastings Highlands Public Library or the Hastings Highlands events co-ordinator.
Opening the new stage last weekend was The Grateful Not to Be Dead, featuring several local musicians including John Foreman and Ron and Leslie Hysert who frequently perform together. The band delivered a lively mix of folk and traditional music to the market crowd, while Ian Russell provided professional-quality sound, running the board of a PA system that originally came from the old Bangor Community Centre.
In a break between songs, Leslie Hysert, playing an Irish penny whistle, told the crowd she hopes to inspire more people in the community to give the instrument a try.
“They come in many keys, they’re not expensive, and they’re easy to play,” she said, holding up the small, flute-like metal instrument. “We’d love to see more players across the whole county.”
The Grateful Not to Be Dead is expected to perform again throughout the summer.
For market updates and performance schedules, follow the Maynooth Morning Market on Facebook.
