At the Crossroads

In this interview, the very knowledgeble John Roche talks to me about the history of music in Wexford and also tells us about a book that he would eventually launch in August 2024, 'The Wexford Tunebook'. The interview was conducted in March 2024 and the book can now be purchased from the following sources:Trax Music: https://www.traxmusicstore.com/shop/books-for-music/music-books/books-about-music/the-wexford-tunebook-compiled-and-edited-by-john-roche/Custy's: https://custysmusic.com/products/the-wexford-tunebook-h4-john-rocheIt can also be viewed here: https://www.wexfordcoco.ie/libraries/more-library-services/local-studies-service/the-wexford-tunebookTimestamps for the tracks are as follows:00:00 Tom Ferris & Mick Donovan: An tAthair Jack Walsh / Scully Casey's / Banish Misfortune23:14 Leo Rowesome: The Old Man Rocking the Cradle32:45 Ted Furey: Jenny's Chickens40:52 The Bunclody Céilí Band: Érin Go Bráth / Oh! The Sight Entrancing / Mount Cashel Brigade48:08 Junior & Tony Crehan: Shores of Lough Gowna / Scully Casey's52:26 Tomás Ó hUigín: The Green Groves of Erin1:03:58 Luke Kelly: Ríl Gan Ainm1:25:39 George Ross: Paddy Kelly's 4-Part / The Sally Gardens1:39:50 Phil, John & Pip Murphy: The Ballygow Polka / The Wistful Lover1:46:50 Gerry Forde: The Star of Munster2:00:04 The Four Star Quartet (feat. Sean McGuire & Willie Joe Power): The Mathematician / Reavy's Hornpipe / McCormack's2:11:22 The Mayglass Céilí Band: Paddy's Return / Charm Jig (aka Queen of the Rushes)2:21:40 Larry Kinsella: The Greencastle Hornpipe / Boys of Bluehill2:32:07 Tommy Stanners: The Bargy Reel (aka The Blackberry Blossom) / The Bridgetown ReelAny comments, queries or suggestions please email to paahtomusic@protonmail.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, I'm chatting to Eugene Lambe from Dublin who moved to County Clare in the early 1970s. Over the years, he has met, played with and befriended all of the local musicians and characters and, back in the 1980s, he decided to video some of them for archival purposes. Over five hours of footage is available for viewing at the ITMA in Dublin and I present a selection of it throughout the programme. Timestamps are listed below.0:00:00 - 0:02:07 | Joe Byrne's, reel ; Gus Jordan's, reel / John Killoughry, tin whistle0:02:08 - 0:07:30 | Introduction to the episode0:07:30 - 0:09:19 | Strike the Gay Harp, jig ; A Thousand Farewells, jig [comp. Seán Ryan] / Paddy Mullins, flute0:09:20 | Interview starts0:20:19 - 0:20:54 | The Priest in His Boots, jig / Eugene Lambe, tin whistle0:21:02 - 0:23:00 | The Old Wheels of the World, reel ; Paddy Marshall's, reel / John Killoughry, tin whistle ; Paddy Killoughry, fiddle0:32:10 - 0:36:59 | Érin Geall Mo Chroí, song / Pat Kane, singing in English0:44:55 - 0:47:15 | The Fisher's Hornpipe ; The Sunshine Hornpipe / Mickaleen Conlon, accordion0:53:51 - 0:57:00 | The Lilting Fisherman, jig ; Come Along With Me, jig ; A Visit to Ireland, jig / John Killoughry, tin whistle1:06:23 - 1:08:49 | Martin Killoughry's, polka ; The Lisdoonvarna Polka / John Killoughry, tin whistle ; Paddy Killoughry, fiddle1:18:41 - 1:22:46 | Unidentified, march ; Old Torn Petticoat, reel ; The Mills are Grinding, reel / Gussie Russell, flute1:23:04 - 1:23:48 | Sporting Nell, reel / Eugene Lambe, tin whistle1:25:02 - 1:28:36 | Bridgie McGrath's No. 1 & 2, slides; Come into the town my fair lady, slide / John Killoughry, tin whistle ; Paddy Killoughry, fiddle1:28:36 - 1:30.22 | The Green Fields of Rossbeigh, reel ; / Ms. Curtin, concertina ; Micho Russell, tin whistleEmail paahtomusic@protonmail.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week I'm pleased to introduce another guest on the podcast - a man who really needs no introduction - Clare's P. J. Murrihy. We had a great chat for a couple of hours at The Falls Hotel in Ennistymon where P. J. told me about his years as a member of The Kilfenora Céilí Band and playing music with the likes of Jimmy Ward, Michael Sexton and Seamus Shannon. Thanks to The Falls Hotel for the hospitality, to John Lynch for the mp3 files of "Mount Massey" and "Far Away in Australia" and to Maeve Murrihy for her email correspondance and putting me in touch with P. J. Timestamps for the music is listed below. Enjoy!00:00:00 "Belfast Town" - The Kilfenora Céilí Band (The Kilfenora Céilí Band, 1974)00:29:07 "The Green Hills of Tyrol - Tommy Peoples (An Exciting Session with One of Ireland's Leading Fiddle Players, 1976)00:34:00 "Far Away in Australia" - The Kilfenora Céilí Band (Clare Céilí, 1973)00:51:17 "Jimmy Ward's Jig" - Jimmy Ward (Kilrush Fleadh, 1967)01:03:03 "Pat Murphy's Meadow" - P. J. Murrihy (Pat Murphy's Meadow, 1988)01:20:45 "Mount Massey" - The Kilfenora Céilí Band (Clare Céilí, 1973)01:29:06 "Horses and Plough" - P. J. Murrihy (My Father's House, 1994)01:44:39 "Whistling Rufus" - Seamus Shannon (The Magic of Seamus Shannon)01:47:35 "Lovely Old Milltown" - P. J. Murrihy (The Wonders of the West, 2017)02:05:41 "Coming Back to Milltown" - The Kilfenora Céilí Band (The Kilfenora Céilí Band, 1974) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today I'm sharing a re-run from my old radio programme Music at the Crossroads from Dublin South FM. It is the inaugural episode from 23rd January 2018 and features a mix of Irish traditional music. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today's episode features an array of popular folk songs sung by their original composers despite being popularised by other singers. You'll notice certain differences in the lyrics when comparing versions which I found quite interesting. Included in the line-up are the likes of Barney Rushe, Thom Moore and Ewan McColl.Comments, queries and suggestion to paahtomusic@protonmail.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode focuses on musicians and singers who passed away during the course of 2023. I will take a broad sweep of influential musicians from all genres and backrounds including Irish Traditional Music, Bluegrass and Folk. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

County Clare is renowned for it's strong musical heritage and, still today, boasts a very vibrant culture of music, song and dance. As I've discussed in previous episdoes, County Clare, in fact, can be said to have a number of distinct styles within its boundaries and today we are focusing on the northern part of the county. This general remit includes north coast villages such as Ballyvaughan, Doolin and Liscannor as well as in-land towns like Ennistymon, Lisdoonvarna, Corofin and Kilfenora.Email all comments and queries to paahtomusic@protonmail.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

First of two episodes on the compositions of prolific composer Ed Reavy. I dive into the history behind his most favoured tunes and provide a musical analysis.Most of the tracks are 'snippets', which may be frustrating to some.But for the sake of brevity, it had to be done.Email comments, queries and suggestions to paahtomusic@protonmail.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Focusing on musicians that are not from Ireland, the UK, the USA or Australia. I've also limited French musicians too. Generally, I'm aiming for a "pure drop" style but I also made some exceptions along the way. Taking in musicians from as far and varied places as Japan, South Africa and Iran, you'd be surprised what's out there! Enjoy, and please don't hesitate to get in touch if you feel lonely: patrickcumminsmusic@gmail.com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A simple show this week focusing on some of my favourite Irish music clips. Please don't hesitate to get in touch with any comments, queries or suggestions: patrickcumminsmusic@gmail.com. And if you enjoy the show, tell your friends! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Following on from last week's show about East Clare, we're moving westward through the Fergus Valley region, out to the Atlantic coastline by Milltown Malbay and then southwards to the Loophead peninsula. This area covers a wide range of ground and has several, distinct parameters that separate them from each others. From the Kerry/Limerick-influenced repertoire of the South-West peninsula, to the lonesome touch of fiddlers like Junior Crehan from further north in Mullagh, right through to the more eastward territory of the Fergus Valley where we'll find technical virtuoso playing from the likes of Paddy Murphy and, arguably, Bobby Casey (who, was actually from the West coast), there is a lot of talking and listening points.Let's not also forget the magnanimous influence of the piper Willie Clancy and of the two major female influences in Mrs. Galvin and Mrs. Crotty. It's all loaded in today's episode. Join me for a ramble through history (and take in some beautiful countryside along the way).Timestamps:00:00 The Kelly Family ("Humours of Donnybrook", 1977): Ceathrú Rua / The Wild Irishman07:00 Patrick Kelly ("Patrick Kelly from Cree", --rl2004--): Denny Mescall's Slide10:31 Mrs. Galvin (Field Recording): Unknown Slow Air16:14 Mrs. Galvin (Field Recording): Flowing Bowl; Allisdrum's March20:43 Mrs. Crotty ("Concertina Music from West Clare", RTE orc1930s-1950s---c. 2000rl): The Wind That Shakes the Barley / The Reel With the Beryl22:45 Mrs. Crotty ("Concertina Music from West Clare", RTE orc1930s-1950s---c. 2000rl): An Gabharín Buí; The Droighneann Donn27:26 Willie Clancy ("The Gold Ring", RTE --rl2010--): Down the Back Lane / Seargent Early's; Garrett Barry's Mazurka32:35 Willie Clancy & Joe Leary (Live at the Fleadh in Kilrush, RTE rc1963): The Flogging Reel / The Sligo Maid36:02 Junior Crehan (Field Recordings - some from the double CD "The Last House in Ballymakea", rl2006): Introduction and playing of the air "Lament for the Country House Dance"; Farewell to Milltown Malbay / Mother's Delight; Lament for Willie Clancy48:19 Bobby Casey (Taking Flight, rl1979): Poll Ha'penny52:29 Bobby Casey (From Patrick Ourceau): College Groves55:07 Bobby Casey (BBC Archive Recordings, rc1966-1971): Sweet Iniscarra58:39 Joe Ryan ("An Buachaill Dreoite", rc1992 --1995rl--): Auchadon House1:03:33 Paddy Murphy ("In Good Hands" - rc1958-1980s --2007rl--): Sean Sa Cheo; Bunker Hill (duet with Peadar O'Loughlin)1:06:46 John Kelly ("Fiddle and Concertina Player", --orc1974/5--rl1975--): Bunch of Green Rushes (two versions, fiddle and concertina)*rc = recorded*rl = released*rrl = re-released*orl = originally released*orc = originally recorded Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In today's episode, I'm taking a brief look at early recordings of céilí bands and groups of musicians who led to the formation of (or played in a comparable style to) early céilí bands. All of these are taken from 78rpm discs from the 1920s, 1930s and 1940s. As such, the quality is varied depending on how well they had been preserved and/or restored. I begin with a relatively comprehensive introduction to the socio-political influence of The Gaelic League and the state of dancing within Irish society around the turn of the 20th century. Although a larger story onto itself, I find it an important context to at least partly understand, especially for those who are not familiar with the history of Irish social dancing. There is years upon years of reading on this subject alone but, in order to keep the focus on the music, I've reigned in the speech thereafter. Recordings of many influential céilí bands such as The Tulla and Kilfenora will not feature on today's episode because, while radio recordings existed from this period, I don't have access to them currently. Most recorded output from these bands was from the 1950s onwards. By this point, the initial, developmental stages of the céilí band had well and truly passed as céilí music embarked upon its heyday and, more or less, solidified it's style. Of course, there was styles in varying degrees here too but, in my efforts to avoid overloading you with too much already (and for the sake of my own sanity), I had to call it quits somewhere - even if just for this show!Timestamps for the music and discussion are below:00.00 Ballinakill Traditional Players (1931) - Reels: Knocknagow & Fowling Piece03:04 Brief history of Irish social dancing in the 19th century10:45 Briefing on the music appearing in this program12:30 History of the Ballinakill Traditional Players16:25 Ballinakill Traditional Players (1930) - Jigs: The Carraroe & Lambert's19:50 Ballinakill Traditional Players (1931) - Reels: The Mills are Grinding & The Milliner's Daughter24:05 Ballinakill Traditional Players (1930) - Reel: The Old Bush27:20 Siamsa Gaedheal Céilí Band (1931) - Reels: High Road to Galway, The Groves & The Salamanca Reel31:30 Siamsa Gaedheal Céilí Band (1931) - Jigs: The King of Jigs, An tAthair Jack Walsh & McDonagh's35:34 Aughrim Slopes Céilí Band (1930s) - Reels: Killaghbeg House & The First House in Connaught38:55 Aughrim Slopes Céilí Band (1930s) - Jigs: The Monaghan Jig & Henchey's Delight43:31 The Belhavel Trio (1930s) - Set Dance: The Job of Journeywork46:34 The Belhavel Trio (1930s) - Reels: The Ashplant, The Merry Harriers & The Hunter's Purse49:46 The Belhavel Trio (1930s) - Jigs: Brian O'Lynn & The Rakes of Kildare55:00 Dublin Metropolitan Garda Céilí Band (1937) - Hornpipes: Last of the Twins, The Harvest Home & The Poppy Leaf58:07 Dublin Metropolitan Garda Céilí Band (1937) - Jigs: The Irish Washerwoman & The Trip to the Cottage1:01:38 The Kincora Céilí Band - Reels: The Dublin Reel, Colonel McBain & The Hunter's Purse1:05:15 The Moate Céilí Band (1940s) - Jigs: Kinnegad Slashers & Lark in the Morning1:11.27 Frank Lee's Tara Ceilidhe Band (1930s) - Jig: The Bridge of Athlone1:14.38 Frank Lee's Tara Ceilidhe Band (1930s) - Reels: Drowsy Maggie, The Bush in Bloom & Bonnie Kate1:19.53 Dan Sullivan's Shamrock Band (1920s?) - Fling: Green Grow the Rushes O!1:24:07 The Four Provinces Orchestra (1920s?) - Polkas: Leather Away the Wattle O!1:29.25 The Four Provinces Orchestra (1920s?) - Flings: Untitled / Limerick Fling (For the Highland Fling)patrickcumminsmusic@gmail.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In episode 2, the focus is again on Irish traditional music and song. Timestamps below:00:00 John Carty & Paddy Folan (Unfinished Album, c. 1982): Last Night's Fun / Maid Behind the Bar [reels]03:58 John Carty & Paddy Folan (Unfinished Album c. 1982): McGivney's Fancy [hornpipe]06:06 John Carty & Paddy Folan (Unfinished Album c. 1982): Sailor on the Rock / The Old Blackthorn [reels]10:13 Bobby Casey (Private Recordings from Patrick Ourceau): Hurry the Jug [set-dance]12:58 Bobby Casey (Private Recordings from Patrick Ourceau): Tuttle's / Sean Frank's [reels]16:41 Breda Keville ("The Hop Down", 2006): The Cuckoo [song]19:56 Paul O'Shaughnessy & Gay McKeon (From RTÉ's 'The Long Note'): The Job of Journeywork [set-dance]23.46 Patsy Hanley (Private Recording from "The Flute Geezer Tape"): Major Moran's / Drogheda Bay [reels]26.45 Bríd O'Donoghue ("Tobar an Dúchais", 2005): The Castlebar Races / Paddy Clancy's / Tony Molloy's [jigs]30.41 Brendan McGlinchy ("Music of a Champion", 1974): Across the Fence / The Gate to the West [hornpipes]35.01 Sarah Keane ("Once I Loved", 1968): Moll Dubh an Ghleanna [song]40.05 Caoimhín Ó Fearghail & Paddy Tutty (Flute & Fiddle, 2018): Tommy Bhetty's Waltz [waltz]42.46 Caoimhín Ó Fearghail & Paddy Tutty (Flute & Fiddle, 2018): Gerdie Commane's / Paddy Sean Nancy's / Miss Lyon's [reels]48.14 Finbarr Dwyer ("The Best of Finbarr Dwyer", 1971): Kitty in the Lane / Paddy Murphy's Wife [reels]51:58 Finbarr Dwyer ("Irish & Continental Accordion", 1971): Whistling Rufus / Marching Through Georgia Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.