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The Polskadots are a world music band based in Cork City. Formed 2 years ago at a party in Sundays Well Rd, they quickly knew they were onto a good thing and were soon playing hard and fast at venues around their native city. Originally formed with great singer/fiddler from US. Lucia Comnes they put their musical brains together and discovered a common love for world music. Strongly influenced by the Finnish members of the band the Polskadots play many a Scandinavian tune but because of the diverse nationalities and backgrounds of the musicians they also share a love for gypsy music from Eastern Europe, South America, Russia and occasionally Turkey. Led by the highly accomplished and energetic Finnish violinist, Marja Tuhkanen, they take their audiences on a musical journey around the world. As well as instrumentals they incorporate sweet and soulful songs from Macedonia, Bulgaria and Hungary plus Finnish songs from their newest member Sirpa Syrja who also plays accordion. She replaces their previous box player, Piia Pakarinen who was an original member of the Dots, also a great composer and musician from Finland. Cork girl, Cat O'Hora is the percussionist in the band but also sings haunting Eastern European songs while adding beautiful violin harmony. Guitarist and singer, Eileen Healy completes the line up with strong rhythm guitar and vocal harmonies. The Polskadots have played at many festivals including the Baltimore Fiddle Fair and the Dun laoghaire World Music Festival where they were lucky to have as replacement singer, Claire Anne Lynch of North Gregg adding her beautiful sultry tones to their sound.