An Ode To My Kinsmen
I live on an island.
She wonders where I’m standing;
She follows where I’m going,
She dwells where I’ve been.
She calls to my tomorrow;
She sings to my today,
She whispers to my yesterday.
A Day At Loughshinny
O – to be there now,
Hand in hand with my fellow first-mates,
Bound for treasure; with shovels a’plough,
Through golden fields and salty lakes,
We would finger white crusty gems and dusty gold,
Before returning home, with tales to be told.
The Misty Morn
‘Twas a misty morn by candlelight,
Where porridge was warm on fire bright,
The table was set for the morning sun,
From which labour and farm work would be done.
The Music of Sliabh Luachra: A Legacy of Fiddle Tradition and Pádraig O’Keeffe
Born in 1887 in Glountane, County Kerry, Pádraig O’Keeffe grew up with music in his blood. Classically trained, he could have taken a very different path, but the pull of traditional music – his music – was too strong to resist. What set O’Keeffe apart wasn’t just his skill with a bow; it was the way he taught and passed on the music of Sliabh Luachra.
The Clare Fiddle Style: A Journey Through Lyrical Elegance and Timeless Tradition
Donegal fiddlers are known for their tight, rhythmically sharp playing. The bowing is often strong and deliberate, with a clear emphasis on rhythm to drive the tune forward. This makes Donegal music particularly suited for dance, where clarity and pulse are essential.
The Sligo Fiddle Tradition: A Legacy of Drive, Rhythm, and Ornamentation
Donegal fiddlers are known for their tight, rhythmically sharp playing. The bowing is often strong and deliberate, with a clear emphasis on rhythm to drive the tune forward. This makes Donegal music particularly suited for dance, where clarity and pulse are essential.
The Cape Breton Fiddle Style: A Tradition Rooted in Scottish Heritage
The Cape Breton fiddle style is notable for its close ties to dance. Cape Bretoners value the music’s role in traditional step dancing and square dancing, so fiddlers often prioritise rhythm, lift, and energy in their playing.
The Donegal Fiddle Style: Bold, Driving, and Rhythmic
Donegal fiddlers are known for their tight, rhythmically sharp playing. The bowing is often strong and deliberate, with a clear emphasis on rhythm to drive the tune forward. This makes Donegal music particularly suited for dance, where clarity and pulse are essential.