Decade of Centenaries Programme 2020-23
William Sweeney (accordion), Eddie Sweeney (Flute), Sean Sweeney (boy, back centre), Anne Sweeney (girl, front centre) The Sweeney Family of Drumnamore are steeped in traditional music. Their father William, pictured here would fill the long winter nights with tunes, as his wife Katie sang a song or two from a […]
Michael O’ Rourke, born in January 1920, was a familiar sight (and sound) around the rural roads and streets of Carrick on Shannon for many years. A fine singer of traditional ballads, Michael earned the very apt nickname “the singing postman” and was a regular at Fleadhanna and singing competitions […]
Pat “Phildy” McGowan James Doherty Great Characters Described as “great characters” who are “in a class of their own when it comes to story-telling or entertaining… or play-acting”, Paddy McGowan and James Doherty are introduced in this radio programme which focuses on the pair who were from Geaglom, Drumkeeran and […]
“Cork-born William Forde (1797–1850) devoted his life to music as a musician, editor, collector and scholar. A flute and piano player, he spent time in both London and Cork, his wide-ranging musical interests focusing during the 1840s on Ireland. He joined the circle of other Irish antiquarian scholars such as […]
Article from “Leitrim’s Republican Story” – Cormac O’ Súilleabháin Tom Creamer – Lahard Fr. Dan Gallogly interviewed Tom Creamer of Lahard, Ballinamore when Tom was 84 years old and only days before Tom passed away. We are left with a lovely store of songs that paint a picture of Ballinamore […]
The name “Mae Reynolds” appeared very often in local newspapers and publications, particularly during the 70s when she sang in establishments all over the country – usually with Cloone musician and singer, Paddy Kelly. But if you go back to the 60s, she headlined at various events, billed as […]
Competitions Scór competitions were established by the GAA in 1969 “to promote Ireland’s traditional pastimes and culture while offering club members the chance to meet up, have fun and represent their club during the winter months while Football and Hurling had ceased.” There are eight events in Scór that cover […]
Born in June 1877 in Aghoo to James McGoohan and Margaret O’ Donnell, Phil McGoohan was a well-known writer of ballads and poetry who composed many songs that give us a little insight into life in the early 1900s that we don’t often get from more formal history books. One […]
Fleadh in Mohill – Pee Fitzpatrick on fiddle Picture courtesy of Val Fitzpatrick Mullingar – where it all began! It happened, that in January 1951, representatives of the Thomas Street (Dublin) Pipers’ Club went to Mullingar for a meeting with traditional music enthusiasts from County Westmeath, i.e. Cáit Uí Mhuimhneacháin, […]
The name “Joe Mooney” is probably best associated today with the renowned traditional Irish music summer school that takes place in Drumshanbo each July, but the man behind the name was involved with many other organisations that furthered the cause of traditional arts in Leitrim at a time when the […]
