Music with a mission

Legendary bodhrán player Tommy Hayes will present, and discuss his new documentary, The Garden Where the Praties Grow at a fundraising event in Ballyconnell.

In the film, Hayes weaves together Ireland’s rich musical traditions with the poignant story of the potato — a crop deeply embedded in Irish history.

Inspired by his lifelong work with the Irish Seedsavers Association, the documentary explores how climate change and the loss of seed diversity threaten our food future. Tracing the history of the potato through music, song, and dance, the film features Tommy Hayes along with Karan Casey, Michelle Mulcahy, Carl Corcoran, Fergal Scahill, Mick O’Brien, Colm O’Donnell, Pat Quinn, Roisin Chambers, and Siobhan Butler.

This all-star cast of traditional Irish musicians perform planting songs to famine laments, along with interviews with growers, historians, and environmentalists. The film celebrates Irish traditional heritage while raising urgent questions about biodiversity.

The traditional music heavyweight is appearing in Ballyconnell in support of Asral NGO. The award-winning charity in Mongolia is dedicated to giving vulnerable women and children a chance at a better future and has close ties to Jampa Ling Buddhist centre in Bawnboy.

Tommy will be available for a Q&A session after the screening. Refreshments will be available, there will be a raffle, and proceeds from this special screening in Ballyconnell’s newly renovated Market House will directly benefit Asral NGO, founded in 2001 by Venerable Panchen Ötrul Rinpoche, spiritual director of Jampa Ling Tibetan Buddhist Centre in Bawnboy. Asral works holistically to combat poverty in Mongolia through education, skills training, and medical care, with a special focus on vulnerable women and children.

Tickets are on sale for a minimum donation of €10. Every ticket purchased helps protect families, break the cycle of poverty, and bring lasting hope to those who need it most.

Award-winning author Donal Ryan described ‘The Garden Where the Praties Grow’ as "a pure joy".

"A beautiful, passionate, moving and immensely entertaining celebration of the history, politics, music and song of our storied national crop. I feel privileged to have watched it in the presence of its makers."

‘The Garden Where the Praties Grow’ will be held on Friday, October 17, 8pm in Ballyconnell Market House, Eircode H14 P300 Tickets and enquiries: 049 9523448 Donation (minimum €10).