Do you remember Cnoc na Gaoithe, a young music and dance group from Ireland? This year, they came back to Shanghai again for the celebration of St. Patrick's Day, Ireland's National Day. Their wonderful show was really acclaimed by the audience and passersby at the Metro Music Salon of the People's Square Station in Shanghai on March 17, 2018.

The group comes from the village of Tulla, Clare in the West of Ireland, featuring traditional Irish music and dance. They have a cultural center based there.

At the metro salon, Cnoc na Gaoithe played some of the oldest musical instruments in Ireland like tin whistle and concertina, accompanied by the traditional jigs, reels and barn dances.

The event was hosted by the Shanghai People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (SPAFFC), the Consulate General of Ireland in Shanghai and Shanghai Shentong Metro Group. This was the third year in a row for Cnoc na Gaoithe to come to Shanghai.

Concertina player Kate McNamara said happily that they were always looked after well and welcomed warmly here in Shanghai. “This year we are more familiar with the city and have more free time, so we can go out by ourselves to explore the city. It's very nice to see different parts of Shanghai and to see those we haven't seen before. We took the open-top tour bus and we really enjoyed that!”

Cnoc na Gaoithe members pose for photos with Ireland's Tánaiste Simon Coveney in a St. Patrick's Day reception in Shanghai on March, 13th, 2018. (Photo by Tang Chun)

What's the difference between performing in China and in Ireland? Kate found that there is a big difference in audience. “In Ireland, if we have a concert, it's a lot noisier. They do love shouting and cheering. But in China, the audience is very respectful and quiet. They just listen to the music. But both are really good and enjoyable. They just have different ways to react to the music.”

Actually, the group had good interaction with the Chinese audience. “When we played in a university in Shanghai, some of the Chinese students came up dancing on the stage. Our dancers taught them some steps and they did well. It's really good”, said Kate.

Green-dressed Irish kids are watching the show at the metro salon.

A Chinese girl is dancing in the cheerful music.

(Photo by Tang Chun)