Bringing music to the ‘Sound’ - Frances Black returns to Rathlin

Dubbed the ‘sweetest voice of Ireland’ by Grammy Award winning musician Nanci Griffith, Frances Black is one of Ireland’s most successful female solo artist.

Frances has twice been the recipient of one of the highest honours in Irish music, the prestigious Irish Recorded Music Association’s ‘Best Irish Female Award’, in addition to a National Entertainment ‘Personality of the Year” award.

Frances’s live performances also saw her receiving ‘Best Solo Artist’ and ‘Overall Winner’ at the Celtic Fusion Festival Awards, in conjunction with Irish Music Magazine, from over 40 nominated acts.

Hailing originally from Dublin, but spending much of her childhood in Rathlin, Frances enjoys revisiting the island whenever she can, and was all too delighted at the opportunity to perform at the festival. Speaking ahead of her concert appearance, Frances explained: “I am delighted to be performing in the Marine Hotel Ballycastle on 24th May as part of the Rathlin Sound Maritime Festival. It will feel like I’m coming home to perform, as Ballycastle is just across the water from Rathlin Island, where my Father comes from. I am really looking forward to it!”

Caroline Carey, Tourism Officer at Causeway Coast and Glens explains: ‘The Rathlin Sound Maritime Festival celebrates our rich and diverse maritime culture here in the Causeway Coast and Glens, and we couldn’t think of a better artist to head up our programme of events. In addition to this wonderful concert, we have a jam-packed schedule of events planned between 22nd May and 31st May 2015, so if you like Frances Black, check out our website to make sure you aren’t missing out on anything else!”

Doors open at 8pm and the concert starts at 9pm. The concert is being held in The Marine Hotel, where tickets are available. Contact 028 2076 2222 or email [email protected] for tickets.

For further information about the Rathlin Sound Maritime Festival, log on to www.heartofthecausewaycoastandglens.com/maritimefestival or contact Ballycastle Visitor Information Centre on 028 2076 2024 or email [email protected].