Éigse sees Múscraí Gaeltacht pay tribute to beloved sean-nós singer
The distinctive sean-nos singing style of the late Diarmuid O Suilleabhain has been at the heart of the annual festival held in his memory in his native Muscrai Gaeltacht since the broadcaster’s tragic death in December 1991. That will again be the case when Eigse Dhiarmuid Ui Shuilleabhain opens in Cuil Aodha this Friday, but celebrated alongside the legacy of O Suilleabhain, known for songs such as ‘Carraig Aonair’ and ‘Bruach na Carraige Baine’ will be that of the area’s wealth of female singers, poets, and songwriters.
In the three decades since his death in a car accident in West Kerry, Diarmuidin’s brothers Eoini and Danny Maidhci O Suilleabhain have continued the family singing tradition alongside sisters Eilis, Mairin, and Noirin. Although their father Maidhci was the source of many of the siblings’ songs, their mother Nora’s knowledge of song words and their history was another important part of their musical upbringing.
The Muscrai area, where Cork borders Kerry, has among its noted female singers, songwriters, and collectors the likes of Elizabeth ‘Bess’ Cronin[1] and Maire Bhui Ni Laoghaire, who will be among those highlighted at this year’s festival.
Professor Triona Ni Shiochain, author of the book Blath’s Craobh na nUdar, on the songs of ‘Cath Cheim an Fhia’ poet Maire Bhui Ni Laoghaire, delivers Saturday’s Eigse lecture on the role of women in Muscrai’s cultural heritage.
Nell Ni Chroinin is one of the artists taking part in this year’s Eigse Dhiarmuid Ui Shuilleabhain.
Danu lead singer Nell Ni Chroinin of Beal Atha ‘n Ghaorthaidh is among today’s leading female exponents of Muscrai sean-nos song and features in the line-up for a gala concert the same night.
She will be also be passing on the tradition as sean-nos singing tutor in a programme of Eigse workshops which also features Mary Bergin (whistle), Jim Murray (guitar), and John Lynch, who will teach the Baile Mhuirne reel and Cuil Aodha jig set dances.
Showcasing the influence of women on the area’s singing tradition at Friday’s opening event will be young pupils of Muscrai’s Aisling Gheal singing scheme.
Pupils involved in a project entitled ‘Lorg na mBan’ researched local female singers and poets, whose songs they will perform on the night.
“We’re putting the emphasis on the legacy and the contribution of women singers and writers in the Muscrai area this year,” said Eigse Cathaoirleach Cathal O Riada. “For example in Scoil Chuil Aodha they’re doing Siobhan Bn Ui Cheallaigh [Ni Mhullain, whose father Donall composed An Poc ar Buile].
She wrote ‘Naomh Gobnait’ and other hymns for the choir, and in Baile Mhuirne they’re doing Bess Cronin.
“It’s a joint project with Sceim Aisling Gheal and the primary schools to give recognition to people such as Maire Bhui Ni Laoghaire and Sile Bn Ui Shuibhne,” he said.
“The amount of children now that are singing sean-nos and taking part in the various Oireachtas competitions and the Eigse is just fantastic.”
Diarmuid O Suilleabhain singing with Sean O Liathain.
Many among their number will be on stage on Sunday as Sceim Aisling Gheal showcases dozens of young singers at Eigse Amhranaiochta na nOg, while the scheme’s tutors Maire Ni Cheileachair and Eibhlis Ui Thuama both host singing sessions during the weekend.
Young musicians will be to the fore at the Eigse with a performance by trad orchestra Ensemble Mhuscrai, directed by multi-instrumentalist Paul Clesham, who launches his album with Conor Arkins, The Morning Thrush on Friday.
Flute player Conal O Grada performs a recital with his sister Maire on uilleann pipes, along with Armagh singer Piaras O Lorcain, after Sunday’s Mass with Cor Chuil Aodha, broadcast live on Raidio na Gaeltachta.
Musicians and singers from various Gaeltacht areas are among those for whom the Eigse has become an annual gathering, with Neill Byrne and musicians from Waterford’s Gaeltacht na nDeise performing on Saturday.
The connection between Cuil Aodha and Kerry’s Corca Dhuibhne Gaeltacht, which became a second home to RnG broadcaster O Suilleabhain, will be renewed as footballer and journalist Tomas O Se officially opens the festival.
A walk from the Top of Coom will honour the memory of O Suilleabhain’s sister Sile, who passed away in 2020, while the festival’s strong connection with Sliabh Luachra music will continue despite the death of Kerry accordion player Jimmy Doyle, a stalwart of the Eigse since its inception.
Last year’s Eigse marked one of the last performances by Doyle, who passed away in January, and his loss will be marked this weekend at a seisiun in his honour.
“He was there since day one,” said O Riada, “and we’re making a small presentation to his family in memory of Jimmy, to mark the great friend that he was to the Eigse over the years”.
References
- ^ Elizabeth ‘Bess’ Cronin (www.irishexaminer.com)