For more info and some clips, see Brid’s website:
http://www.bridodonohue.com/classes.php
Ceol na nÓg
a CD of Traditional Music from Co Clare by the pupils of Brid O Donohue
Brid O’Donohue started Ceol na nÓg, music of the young, ten years ago as part of her music teaching in Miltown Malbay in West Clare to offer young people from six to twenty an opportunity to play music, socialise and maybe dance a set or two. Part of the evening was the visit of a ‘mystery guest’, the appearance of an accomplished musician (or two) who would talk and play music both alone and with the group. Visiting musicians over the years included Brid’s uncle JC Talty, Eamonn Cotter, Paddy Canny, Michael Downes, harper Paul Dooley, Tommy McCarthy, Bernadette McCarthy, Kitty Hayes and myself made a few appearances as did many others.
From the night grew a few bands in different age groups that entered the fleadh competitions and sometimes appeared in their own right with young whistleplayers branching out into fiddle, harp, concertina, accordeon flute, fiddle and pipes. Coaching the bands Brid showed her inimitable knack of transferring the lovely lazy West Clare lift to her pupils and seeing the bands play never failed to lift my mood by their apparent enthusiasm and joy in music.
To mark twenty years of teaching music Brid has produced a CD of the present instalment of the young bands: the 12-21 year old Ceiliband, 12 t o18 year old whistle group, the 12-18 Grupa Cheoil (a form that allows harmonies and arrangements at fleadh competitions), 11-17 year flutegroup, 12-18 Ceiliband, 6-9 year whistle group, the 8-12 year Ceiliband etc. The music is arranged in such a way that some players get a duo or solo to show off their skills as the music goes along.
The repertoire on the CD consists of a mix of dancemusic, slow airs, a march and a Carolan piece, Henry McDermott Roe all played with great skill, the more so considering the age of some of the players. Music is at a leisurely pace, clear and well articulated with a lovely West Clare lift. Tomorrow’s musicians playing today. Highly recommended for listening to, learning tunes off or just to play along practising.
The CD will be launched on May 31 in the Bellbridge Hotel in Spanish Point, Co Clare. Brid’s website is not yet set up for the sale of it but will be shortly. Custy’s music shop in Ennis (http://www.custysmusic.com) will have a supply available during the week.
May 18 2009
Miltown Malbay Co Clare
Peter Laban