Music and Song inspired by the Beauty of Cornwall

Tir Ha Tavas (Delia and Dave Brotherton)

14 November 2018

Formed in February 2013 by Delia Brotherton, bard of Gorsedh Kernow and Dave Brotherton, both experienced and respected musicians and singers based in St Ives, Tir ha Tavas, means land and language in the old Cornish language Kernewek.  Delia and Dave are familiar figures on the traditional Cornish and Celtic folk scene and formed Bagas Porthia and St Ives Guisers following a need to provide local musicians and dancers for traditional events such St Ives Feast Day, St Piran’s Day and during Christmastide. 

Tir ha Tavas grew out of a desire by Delia and Dave to write and perform more of their own original material including songs in the Cornish language Kernewek.  They possess a strong musical chemistry and they are inspired by the beauty and majesty of the West Cornwall landscape and the recurring feeling of nostalgia felt very strongly by those who love Cornwall.  Their songs combine a sense of fun and wistfulness reflecting their take on modern Cornish life.  

Tir ha Tavas have performed at many events including the St Ives September Festival, St Ives LitFest Penzance Literary Festival, the Lowender Peran Festival of the Celts, Federation of Old Cornwall Societies Winter Festival, Gorsedh Kernow’s Esedhvos Festival of Cornish Culture, local churches and for private societies and gatherings.  They have also featured on local radio programmes. Their music combines well with the spoken word as part of words and music events,  and with other performers for variety and a change of mood.  They have recorded three CDs 

• Bagas Porthia - Cornish and Celtic tunes and songs from their five piece band

• Ogh Penndra Vyghan - a more intimate collection of songs with Tir ha Tavas, all in Kernewek

• An Viaj / The Journey - the latest Tir ha Tavas CD released in March 2018 with a collection of new, mostly self-penned songs in Kernewek and English