HUNGARY FOR BRAN

While there are many well known Irish performers touring Europe, there are also countless singers and bands who, influenced by Irish music contribute their own unique melodies to the European music scene. One such group is BRAN, a band located in Hungary, who have been playing traditional Irish music for the last 10 years. The group leader, Gáborjan Kovacs studied in UCC in 1992/3. Some of the subjects included Ethnomusicology, Celtic Mythology, the Cultural History of Medieval Ireland and the Irish language. One of his professors was the world renowned Micheál Ó Suileabháin. On his return to Hungary, Gáborjan sought to familiarise people with different aspects of Irish traditions. Indeed included in Brans concerts are lectures on Irish history and culture. Other members of the group include - Róbert Császár, Sándor Kis and Tánya Szabó. Together they create a unique and fasinating insight into Irish music. They have released a number of CDs- Immran, Idir, Port, Antlerswood and Tír na nÓg, the last of which contains Irish fairy-tales which have been translated into Hungarian. The band appears regularly in Budapest. Included in their performance are slide shows, story-telling, céilí and dance classes. So if youre in Hungary why not seek BRAN out, and experience Irish music with a difference.