A Living Voice, Connemara
This two-part series presented by JJ O’Shea brings us the fruits of a project initiated by folklorist Ríonach Uí Ógáin and supported by the Irish Traditional Music Archive. The project revisits The Irish Folklore Commissions collection of tunes and songs which were transcribed and notated by Seamus Ennis in Connemara and Donegal. When folklorist Ríonach Uí Ógáin was examining the transcriptions collected by Ennis she noticed there were several pieces that were no longer heard in the general repertoire and she wondered how musicians and singers today might interpret these songs and tunes. Ríonach invited several musicians and singers with an association with either Connemara or Donegal to select some of the material collected in those counties and to make recordings of their choices.
Episode 1: Connemara
In this week’s episode we hear melodeon player Johnny Óg Connolly play and discuss the tunes An Stoirm is an Baisteach and Hardiman the Fiddler. Bríd Ní Mhaolchiarán sings Binsín Luacra and considers the role of ornamentation in traditional song and flute player. Neansaí Ní Choisdealbha interprets The Mist on the Mountain and The Angry Peeler. Éamonn Ó Donnchadha explores his relationship with traditional song and interprets the song Affey Gibbons. Caitríona Ní Cheannabháin sings a version of Cailín Deas Crúite na Mbó (A Pretty Girl Milking Her Cow) with words quite different to the well- known version.
A J.J. O’ Shea production for RTÉ lyric fm co-funded by Coimisiún na Meán and RTÉ Independent Radio
(First broadcast 18th February 2024)
RTÉ lyric fm, Sunday 1st March, 6pm-7pm
