Trad & HIP
Irish Traditional music meets Historically Informed PerformanceOral and written traditions in Ireland are not simply oppositional forces, but complementary modes of musical thought and practice that have co-existed for centuries. Rather than framing the relationship between Irish traditional and Baroque music as simply one of cultural appropriation or dominance, An Banna Aosta explore a more nuanced model of reciprocal influence and creative adaptation. In understanding the complexity of our histories, we strive to explore the meaning of our musical traditions.Queer Georgians: The Ladies of Llangollen was developed in collaboration with Dr. Anthony Delaney; actor, presenter, and author of Queer Georgians: A Hidden History of Lovers, Lawbreakers and Homemakers. This uplifting, queer 18th century Irish story is narrated by Anthony and accompanied by music from the Ladies’ lives in Kilkenny.Trad meets Baroque was first performed at Rothe House in Kilkenny in January 2024. Directed by Tadhg Sudlow, the group performs music on historical instruments, focused on the mutual influence between traditional and baroque styles in eighteenth century Ireland. Their programming is based on extensive research, reviving music from deep in the archives. Since the start of 2024 Trad meets Baroque has performed each year for Dublin HandelFest, also appearing with concert series in Germany and Australia.
Tadhg Sudlow (fiddle/viola), Xander Baker (cello/basso), Ellen Bolger (harpsichord)
Eleanor Butler and Sarah Ponsonby were two women from Kilkenny who eloped in 1778 to escape their destined fates of marriage or a future in a convent. This is their tale of great love and wider acceptance, starting with difficult family pressures in Kilkenny and ending in fifty years of companionship in the Welsh countryside. This programme explores their lives in Kilkenny, including their thwarted escape efforts. Letters between Sarah and a Mrs. Goddard describe her experience growing up with her Aunt and Uncle at Woodstock house in Inistioge, while journals and news prints fill in the gaps and give context for Eleanor’s upbringing.
Dr. Anthony Delaney, actor, presenter, and author of Queer Georgians: A Hidden History of Lovers, Lawbreakers and Homemakers narrates the performance. An Banna Aosta performs Baroque and Irish traditional music from the Ladies’ time in Kilkenny, drawing the listener into Eleanor and Sarah’s familiar sound world.
The Music
Repertoire has been arranged from concert advertisements in Finn’s Leinster Journal, publications linked to Kilkenny, and the notebooks of Pádraig Ó Néill. Kilkenny was a growing centre for music towards the end of the 18th century, with regular concerts and productions held at the Tholsel by visiting and local performers. Movements from a violin sonata by Jacquet de la Guerre provide a backdrop to French references in the story, a talented female composer from eighteenth century France. Eleanor’s favourite folk song Malborough s’en va-t-en guerre brings the story to a close, as it was this melody which she is said to have asked Sarah to sing in her final moments.
Pádraig Ó Néill Manuscripts
- Ingin Sadhb an mbanseach, Tabarne an Gliogair
- Variations on ‘Patrick’s Day’
- Jerry’s Rambles, Rabuire an Tréin
- Gradh geal mo chroí
- Fiach an Mhadra Ruadh (Fox Hunt)
- Sorry to Part
- Maid of Callaghan
- Variations on ‘Northern Lass’
John Pepusch ‘Overture’ from The Beggar’s Opera
Jacquet de la Guerre ‘Sonata VI’ - Allemande, Presto, Air, and Adagio
Carl Friedrich Abel ‘Trio Sonata’ Op.9 No.3
Frantisek Kotzwara The Agreeable Surprise Medley
1782 collection of Irish melodies
- Irish Lasses
- Humours of Graiguenamanch
Tommaso Giordani Celebrated Overture and Irish Medley to the Island of Saints
Carl Philipp Stamitz variations on ‘Malbrough s'en va-t-en guerre’
Tadhg Sudlow
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Upcoming Events
19:30 Friday 26th June 2026
The Sugar Club, DublinQueer Georgians: The Ladies of Llangollen explores queer Irish voices from the past at Dublin Pride.
Dr. Anthony Delaney, author of Queer Georgians and host of History Hit’s After Dark podcast, joins Tadhg Sudlow (fiddle), Xander Baker (cello), Ellen Bolger (harpsichord) for a night of history, storytelling and music. A unique combination of baroque and Irish trad music draws the listener into the world of Eleanor Butler and Sarah Ponsonby, two women from Kilkenny who eloped in 1778 to escape their destined fates of marriage or a future in a convent. This is a history of great love and acceptance, starting with difficult family pressures in Kilkenny and ending in fifty years of companionship in the Welsh countryside.Dublin Pride’s 2026 theme “One Story – Many Voices” is about the thread that connects us across time, across borders, across
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