Lilting
Nobody to play a tune for the dancers – no problem…
Cloone/Mohill’s Willie Higgins lilts a tune and chats about travelling musicians around Mohill.
And he tells us about his involvement with Mohill Comhaltas Band as well as chatting about other musicians that he played with and his involvement with the wren boys.
Dancing
There were all sorts of excuses to dance and so many different experiences of learning to dance or going to house dances, dance halls or the changing styles of dance over the years.
Here Francis Joseph Bohan (Aughavas) talks about Irish classes, dance classes and dance masters, Peter Nee and Murt Curran.
Sonny Moffat (Annaduff) who was a champion dancer talks about his experience of dance.
And Michael Reilly (Kiltoghert) also gives an account of house dances and joins.
And Lily Moffatt of Dromod talks of her dance experience.
There was dancing at crossroads, at wakes, patterns and fairs…
Abair Amhrán
Many people wrote or sung songs that didn’t travel much further than their own locality
Seamus Mac Phartaláin sings The Hills Around Drumkeerin
Morty Gilmartin sings Rossinver Braes
And others recited ballads, like Charlie MacTeague (Ballinamore) here.
Or remembered more of the story behind the song, than the song itself.
(Sonny Moffat – Annaduff)
Local Legends
And there are names of local poets, ballad makers, wits, musicians and dancers who kept a vibrant tradition of music, song and dance going without ever gracing the big stages or being heard on the airwaves.
Here Sonny Moffat talks about Paddy Cullen (Annaduff)
Whilst Michael Reilly remembers fiddle player, Mally Guckian (Kiltoghert)
Oral History Interview with William Higgins, Drumadorn, Cloone, Co Leitrim aged 90. Interviewed on 20/10/1991 by Evelyn Kelly. : .
Oral History Interview with Francis Joseph Bohan, Augharan, Aughavas, Co Leitrim aged 86. Interviewed on 20/06/1982 by Seán O’Suilleabhain and Micheal Whelan. : .
Oral History Interview with Sonny Moffat and Mr and Mrs John Harte(aged 70 and 60), Gortinee, Aughamore, Co Leitrim. Interviewed on 03/04/1991 by Evelyn Kelly. : .
Oral History Interview with Michael Reilly, Drumgowna, Kiltoghert, Co Leitrim aged 92. Interviewed on 16.11.1988 by Sean O Suilleabhain and Dr Arthur Dolan. : .
Oral History Interview with Lily Moffatt, Dromod, Co Leitrim aged 81. Interviewed on 30/07/1982 by Seán OSuilleabhain and Des Guckian (Life Long Republican). : .
Oral History Interview with Charlie MacTague, Drumcroman, Ballinamore, Co Leitrim aged 78. Interviewed on 09/07/1991 by Evelyn Kelly. : .
Music – The Great Connector
And now enjoy the Bealtaine celebrations in Arus Carolan, Mohill 2003, including singing and lilting from Eslin man, Tommy Mulligan (R.I.P.), storytelling from Vincent Pierce, music and song from two great Leitrim musicians Tommy Hands (R.I.P) and Michael Moran (R.I.P.) and plenty of other entertainment from the residents of Arus Carolan.
