Family affair as hit soap turns 20 – Connacht Tribune

Chris Kelly and Máirín Fahy met and fell in love through traditional music, and later went on to tour with Riverdance, as well as embarking on their own projects. These include Trad on the Prom, which began in 2005 and features some of Ireland’s top musicians, singers and dancers. Other cast members include the couple’s son Dara, a dancer, and the highly talented siblings Máirín, Yvonne and Ger. The show was once seen as something for overseas visitors, but more and more Irish people are taking part and loving it, as BERNIE Ní FHLATHARTA finds out.

The Galway couple, who met through traditional music and travelled the world with Riverdance, are celebrating the 20th anniversary of their homegrown show, Trad on the Prom, which has been voted Ireland’s best musical, vocal and dance show by TripAdvisor.

This is the 20th season of the popular production in a row – it managed to stage as many as six shows during the lockdown, when restrictions were eased.

Chris Kelly and his wife Máirín Fahy never dreamed their summer show would be such a hit, but they attribute its success to hard work, a love of music and, above all, the talent they had at their fingertips.

The two-hour show, performed three times a week during the summer, certainly showcases this talent, whether it be musicians, singers or dancers. The show is constantly being modified, keeping the freshness alive for the performers and the audience.

Chris and Máirín play guitar and fiddle respectively. Máirín, who has been playing fiddle since she was five, is one of the famous Fahy family from the Ballinakill Céilí Band, which was co-founded by her grandfather, Thomas Whyte. She is joined on stage by her brother Ger and younger sister, Yvonne. Ger’s son and daughter often join them, making it a real family affair.

Trad on the Prom is a sleek, professional production, showcasing the best traditions of almost all the performers having individual careers in music. Listening to Chris’ introductions is mind-blowing as he recites their achievements – tours with Riverdance and other shows around the world, individual albums and international music and dance titles.

When Trad on the Prom opened in its first venue, the Salthill Hotel, in 2005 it was seen as a ‘tourist show’ and although its audience is still largely foreign, domestic audiences have also come to appreciate its quality – and its entertainment factor.

As Chris explains, for whom it is equally important to maintain a balance between entertainment and providing the audience with a live performance experience.

They are doing something right, because Trad on the Prom has been the most popular show in the country according to TripAdvisor for years!

“The welcome at the door is as important to us as the music we play, the entertainment factor and value for money. We’ve learned a lot about production since we started and we like to think we have something to show here at Leisureland,” says Chris, originally from Mountbellew, who started out wanting to be a rock star until he met Máirín and her family. He fell in love with their musicianship and passion for traditional music, and Máirín, whom he met when they were on tour with Moylough Mannion’s show, A Taste of Ireland.

Pictured: From left: Musical siblings Ger, Máirín and Yvonne Fahy and Máirín’s husband Chris. This highly talented quartet is the heart of Trad on the Prom.