LEADING BRETON folk and traditional musicians Ampouailh and Charlie Le Brun will play Monroe’s Live in May as part of the Galway-Lorient twinning 50th anniversary celebrations.

Ampouailh have won acclaim for blending modern sounds and textures with a traditional music deeply grounded in the rich cultural traditions and history of Brittany.

The quintet - Simon Lotout (Bombardes) Yuna Léon (violins), Rémi Bouguennec (flute), Heikki Bourgault (guitar), Gwylan Meneghin (bass) - play Monroe’s on Wednesday 16 May at 8.30pm and see themselves as a band for both dancers and trad music connoisseurs to enjoy equally.

The concert will be significant for the band. Not only will it be the first date of Ampouailh’s Iwerzhon Tour (Iwerzhon is Breton for Ireland), but Galway has the honour of hosting their debut show in Ireland - a very appropriate event for the Galway-Lorient 50th celebrations.

Also playing is Charlie Le Brun, making his first return to Galway since 2023. A flute player, singer, and composer, he performs Celtic songs and plays traditional Breton and Irish tunes on the wooden flute and sings in Breton, French, English, and as Gaeilge.

From Rennes in eastern Brittany, Charlie grew up in a family steeped in traditional music and cites Alan Stivell, Yann Tiersen, Sinead O’Connor, and The Chieftains as his inspirations.

A recipient of numerous awards and nominations, Charlie draws on Celtic myth and legends in his songwriting while also sharing his passion for Breton culture through performances of songs from the Breton region.

A night of cross-cultural connections between two Celtic nations, this show at Monroe’s is one no trad music fan will want to miss.