From Stoney Grey Soil
Ceiliúradh ar Oidhreacht Cheoil
Chontae Mhuineacháin
le Ensemble Cheoil Traidisiúnta ITDD
agus aíonna speisialta ó
Ensemble Cheoil
Bhreathnach
12ú Márta 2015
Amharclann Mhic Anna
Institiúid Teicneolaíochta
Dhún Dealgan
From Stoney Grey Soil
12ú Márta 2015
Fáiltiú
On behalf of Ceol Oirghialla may I extend a warm welcome to you all to our special concert
as part of the Institute’s programme of events for ‘Seachtain na Gaeilge’.
Following our theme in recent concerts to celebrate the rich cultural heritage of the region in
which the Institute is situated, we have chosen our neighbouring county of Monaghan as the
musical focus for tonight’s programme. Over the years we have touched upon different
aspects of the musical heritage of Monaghan in our traditional music concerts, and given our
growing links with the Patrick Kavanagh Centre in Inniskeen, it is particularly apt that we
take our inspiration from the poetry of Kavanagh and include the music of a number of great
Monaghan composers and musicians in our concert. Linked to this we are especially
delighted to welcome musicians from the newly formed Walsh Ensemble from Monaghan as
our special guests as part of our community outreach programme. I would like to thank Seán
Walsh for his work in preparing his musicians for their debut performance tonight and we
look forward to welcoming them to future events at the Institute.
The vision of the Section of Music is to develop world class creative practitioners in all
aspects of music and we aim to provide students with the opportunities to develop both
practical and theoretical approaches to music which will help prepare them for employment
in a global marketplace. The study of traditional music is fundamental to our academic
mission in the Section of Music and an integral component of our undergraduate and
postgraduate programmes. The study of regional musical traditions is a core thematic area in
Ionad Taighde Ceoil, the Centre for Research in Music, and one recently completed project
by Dr Seán McElwain involved an examination and analysis of collections and musicians
associated with the Sliabh Beagh Region of North Monaghan/East Fermanagh. Our
programme tonight features some tunes from these collections.
Central to the performance of traditional music at DkIT is the Ceol Oirghialla Traditional
Ensemble. This ensemble is woven into the identity of the Section of Music in promoting and
preserving the rich cultural heritage of the Oriel region. We are very proud of their
commitment and enthusiasm in conserving the rich treasures of our region. In preparation for
their concert tonight the ensemble was fortunate to work with Professor Christopher Smith
from Texas Tech University who was in DkIT as Visiting Researcher. He also delivered the
Keynote address at the International Council for Traditional Music conference which was
recently hosted by the Section of Music. Following on from the successful international tours
undertaken by members of the Ensemble last year we are committed to developing our
international networks and look forward to creating new international partnerships.
In keeping with the ‘Monaghan’ theme for tonight’s concert I would like to acknowledge the
support of those who have contributed prizes for our raffle tonight - The Patrick Kavanagh
Centre, Féile Patrick Byrne and Dr Seán McElwain.
Gabhaim buíochas le gach duine atá ag glacadh páirte sa cheolchoirm anocht agus le gach
duine a chabhraigh lena n-eagraíocht. Ta súil agam go mbainfidh sibh sult as an gceol.
Dr Adèle Commins
Ceannasaí Rannóg an Cheoil
Head of Section of Music
2
Nótaí ar an gCeol
Mullahinsha, Drummeril, Black Shanco Wherever I turn I see
In the stony grey soil of Monaghan
Dead loves that were born for me.
In ‘Stoney Grey Soil of Monaghan’, Kavanagh addresses his native place with disdain but
it is from such stoney grey soil that Kavanagh’s talents emerge and tonight we celebrate
the rich cultural heritage of our neighbouring county. Once part of the great Oriel region,
Monaghan itself may be subdivided into distinctive sub-regions, each with a unique story
and cast of musical heroes.
We begin with a popular tune, ‘The Monaghan Jig’. We follow it with reels from Cavanborn composer and fiddler Ed Reavy who wrote a number of tunes referring to Co.
Monaghan, the birth place of his mother and home of his favourite Auntie Ann. He
emigrated to the US in 1912 but remembered hearing pipers in Castleblayney as a child,
perhaps they were George McCarthy and Philip Goodman.
‘The Bracken Lane’and ‘The Shepherd’s Daughter’ were collected from the pipers George
McCarthy and Philip Goodman and were published as part of the Feis Ceoil collection in
1914, listing their origins as Castleblayney. McCarthy, sometimes named as McCartney,
likely learned with Billy Taylor in Drogheda and after a very successful period in the Feis
Ceoil competitions died at the poorhouse in Ardee in 1908. Goodman, from Dunaree in the
parish of Donaghmoyne, was one of the last known travelling pipers in the area and was
placed at the Feis Ceoil in 1904 and 1907.
A number of tunes featured in tonight’s concert are drawn from the PhD research of Dr
Seán McElwain, a graduate of DkIT, whose work includes music collected by Bernard
Bogue and James Whiteside, with references back to older Monaghan musicians including
Mick ‘Dall’ Rooney (1826–1867). Possibly born near Scotstown, Bernard Bogue (1860–
1930) taught fiddle in Co. Monaghan following his retirement from the RIC. James
Whiteside was principal of Knockatallon N. S. from 1870 to 1886 before moving to Bray,
Co. Wicklow.
Part of tonight's concert is inspired by a recording that was made by Master Seán
MacCionna of Monaghan Town. Taken at Jimmy and Ellen McKenna's (Phat) house in
Tydavnet, Monaghan in 1987. The polka ‘The Kerry Cow’ was played on the box for
dancers, some of whom also danced hornpipe steps with the aid of chairs. Tonight we use
the tunes ‘John Joe Prunty’ – a composition of South Armagh fiddle player Josephine
Keegan for a Monaghan fiddle player – and ‘The Street Player’ – a composition of Ed
Reavy in memory of the travelling musicians he saw busking in Cavan and Monaghan in
his youth.
3
Patrick Byrne (1784–1863) from Carrickmacross was one of the few notable nineteenth
century harpers. He played for Queen Victoria in Scotland and received a warrant as ‘Irish
Harper to Prince Albert’. Returning to Ireland during the Famine, he was employed by the
Shirley Family. His repertoire included the air ‘An Chuilfhionn’ and ‘Brian Ború’s March’,
the latter also having Monaghan connections as the body of Ború travelled through Inniskeen
following his death at the Battle of Clontarf in 1014. Byrne died in Dundalk on 8 April, 1863
and is buried in Carrickmacross.
The famous Irish harper-composer Turlough Carolan wrote at least two tunes in Co.
Monaghan. Carolan is thought to have composed ‘Lady Blayney’ for Mary, who married the
6th Baron of the Blayney family in 1686 and was buried in the Chapel of Castle Blayney in
1724. Baptist Johnston was High Sherriff of Monaghan in 1728. Michael Rooney from
Scotstown is a well known contemporary harper and concertina player who has composed
many tunes, two masses and a number of suites that incorporate Irish traditional music.
Tonight we feature two of his slip jigs referring to his homeplace.
Paddy Finlay was a piccolo player who recorded with the famous Sligo fiddle player Michael
Coleman with accompaniment from Ed Geohegan on piano in April 1927. One of the few
Coleman slides never reissued, ‘Old Man Dillon’ was collected by Francis O’Neill while on
his patrolman’s beat in Chicago around 1875.
Echoing Kavanagh’s ‘On Raglan Road’, we hope tonight we have revealed to you gifts of the
minds of artists from and inspired by Co. Monaghan.
Ceol Oirghialla Traditional Ensemble
Tin Whistle:
Sophie Byrne, Hannah Farrell, Suzanne Kierans
Flute:
Lora Gilbert, Martha Guiney
Harp:
Damhnait McKenna
Fiddle:
Ling Wei Chua, Jessica Lee Hui Sze, Ellie Nic Fhionghaille, Damhnait
McKenna
Button Accordion:
Joanne Cusack, Brianna Madden
Piano Accordion:
Aoibh Collier, Adèle Commins, Ciara Moley
Banjo:
Daithí Kearney, Gary Smyth, Seán Stringer
Mandolin:
Brian McHale, Catherine Morgan, Brian Slattery
Uilleann Pipes:
Fiachra Meek
Piano:
Jessica Lee Hui Sze, Xin Yi Foo
Guitar:
Brendan McNamee, Mike Waters
Bass:
Mathew Devlin
Percussion:
David Burke
Singers:
Ellie Nic Fhionghaille, Seán McCluskey, Fiachra Meek
Dancers:
Joanne Cusack,Daithí Kearney, Róisín Timoney, Mike Waters
4
Clár
The Monaghan Jig
Jig
Monaghan Hills / Ann from Monaghan / The
Reels (ed. Reavy)
Whistler of Rosslea
The Bracken Lane / Inniskeen Road: July Evening
Air / Recitation
Mick Rooney’s Hornpipes
Hornpipes
Baptist Johnson / The Humours of Inniskeen
Planxty (Carolan) / Jig (Keegan)
The Sporting Lads of Scotstown / Bucks of
Reels
Carranmore / Jack’s Alive
Walsh Music Ensemble
Set One
The Starry Lane to Monaghan
Reel
John Joe Prunty’s / The Street Player
Hornpipe (Keegan / Reavy)
The Stately Woods of Truagh
Song
The Kerry Cow / Maurice O’Keeffe’s
Polkas
An Chuilfhionn
Air
Walsh Music Ensemble
Set Two
Brian Ború’s March
March
The Women of Monaghan / The Castleblayney
Jigs (Reavy)
Piper / Swans Among the Rushes
Lady Blayney
Planxty (Carolan)
On Raglan Road
Song
Tír Raifeartaigh / Gort na Móna
Slip Jigs (Rooney)
The Shepherd’s Daughter / A Christmas Childhood
Air / Recitation
Old Man Dillon / The Kesh
Jigs
Walsh Music Ensemble
Set Three
Miss Monaghan / The Monaghan Twig
Reels
5
Ensemble Cheoil Bhreathnach
Walsh Traditional Ensemble
Walsh Music is based in Inniskeen and was founded by Seán Walsh.
Coming from an Irish traditional music background, Seán passes on the
tradition of playing Irish music on the various traditional instruments to young
and adult students. He is assisted by his wife Caroline who takes guitar, singing
and beginner tin whistle groups.
The ensemble tonight is a group of young people who have progressed through
the classes and are now ready for group performance events, allowing them to
further develop their instrument playing skills and gain confidence in
performing.
Walsh Ensemble Set 1 Walsh Ensemble Set 2 Walsh Ensemble Set 3
Raglan Road
Foggy Dew
Johnny B. Goode
Song of the Chanter
Gerry O’Sullivan’s
Rock Around the Clock
Caoineadh Bhriain Dá
Mháthair (M. Rooney)
Maggie in the Woods
Just Give me a Reason
Terry Teahan’s
Budapest
Danny Boy
Wagon Wheel
Star of the County Down
6
Rannóg an Cheoil
Ceannasaí, Roinn Ceoil agus Meán Cruthaitheach, Stiúrthóir, Ionad Taighde Ceoil
Head of Department of Music and Creative Media, Director, Centre for Research in Music
Eibhlís Farrell BMus (Hons) (QUB), MMus (Bristol), PhD (Rutgers), LLCM, DipIr (UU),
FRSA, Member of Aosdána
Ceannasaí Rannóg an Cheoil
Head of Section of Music
Adèle Commins BA (Hons) (NUIM), PhD (NUIM), HDipEd (NUIM), LGSMD, ALCM
Dámh Ceoil
Music Faculty
Mark Clarke BEng (DCU), MSc (London), DipEE (DkIT), CEng (IEI)
Niall Coghlan MA (QUB), PhD (QUB)
David Connolly BA (Hons) (NUIM), MA (NUIM), PhD (DIT), HDipEd (NUIM)
Daithí Kearney BA (UCC), PhD (UCC), HDipED (UCC)
Sean Keegan BMus (TCML), MA (UL)
Aisling Kenny BMus (NUIM), PhD (NUIM), DipABRSM, ALCM
Helen Lawlor BMusEd (TCD), MMus (UCD), PhD (UCD)
Patrick McCaul BSc (QUB), MA (DkIT)
Paul McIntyre BMus (Hons) (UU), PhD (UU), PGCHEP (UU), DipMus (OU), LTCL
Caitríona McEniry BA (Hons), MA (NUIM), MA (York), LRIAM, ARIAM *
Paul McGettrick BEd, BMus (Hons) (NUI), MSc (York)
Hilary Mullaney BA (Hons) (NUIM), MA (DIT), PhD (Plymouth)
Neil O’Connor BA (IADT), MA (TCD), PhD (TCD)
Ciarán Rosney BA (Hons) (WIT), MA (DIT), MMus (DIT) *
David Stalling BA (Hons) (NUIM), MA (NUIM)
Rachel Talbot BA (Mod) (TCD), PhD (DIT), LTCL, ALCM
Rory Walsh BMus (Hons) (NUIM), MA (NUIM), HDip Mus Tech
Career Break *
Cláracha Acadúla i Rannóg an Cheoil
BA (Hons) Applied Music
BA (Hons) Production of Music and Audio
MA/MSc/PgDip Music Technology
MA/PgDip Traditional Music Studies
MA/MSc by Research
PhD by Research
7
Cairde Ceoil Oirghialla
We welcome your support in enhancing the performance opportunities for our students.
This could be as a patron of our ensembles, offering student internships, scholarships
and prizes, sponsoring productions or purchase of instruments, or by contributing to the
development of facilities. Every grant, donation, or contribution makes a real difference.
If you would like to find out more about the Ceol Oirghialla Section of Music please
get in touch:
[email protected]
Tel: 042-9370280
www.dkit.ie/music
Dátaí do do Dhialann
No No Nanette, 26–27 March 2015, Mac Anna Theatre, DkIT
Programme: Daithí Kearney and Adèle Commins
Inauguration of Organ, 21 April 2015, Fr Brendan McNally Recital Room,
DkIT
Chamber Choir and Choral Concert, 22 April 2015, St Patrick’s Church,
Dundalk
Musica Nova, 27–30 April, 2015
Guitar, Jazz and Contemporary Music Showcase, 28 April 2014, The Spirit
Store, Dundalk
Music Production Showcase, 28 May 2015, The Spirit Store, Dundalk
Buíochas
Alice Hoey; Karen Doherty; Seán Walsh; Professor Christopher J. Smith;
Stephanie Caffrey, Martin Cummins and Gavin Hartnett (Sound);
Michael McMahon (Technical Support); Éamon Crudden; Seán
McElwain; Rosealeen Kearney and The Patrick Kavanagh Centre;
Finian McCluskey and Féile Patrick Byrne; Henry McLoughlin and the
Caretaking Staff; Fiona Rooney and the Housekeeping Staff
Keep up-to-date with all of our activities by liking our
Facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/MusicDkIT
and following us on Twitter - MusicDkIT
8