The debut performance of the newly formed Inishowen Youth Trad Orchestra, with participants from Letterkenny, Derry and Inishowen, performed in front of a full house on Saturday night last at Carndonagh Community School.
It was a highlight of this year’s Féile na hInse traditional music festival.
By Liz Kearney
The music performed was a celebration of Honoria Galwey’s collection to mark the one hundredth anniversary of her death this year. Honoria, the daughter of a Protestant rector brought up in Moville, is now being recognised as one of the great Irish music collectors.
“This was a special commission of music selected from Honoria’s local collection ‘Old Irish Croonauns and other tunes,’ and new pieces from composer and conductor Sean Doherty from Derry,” said organiser Roisin McGrory.
“Fifty-one young musicians aged between 12 and 17 got together in January, and had thirty hours of workshops with Sean Doherty. He selected the music from Honoria’s collection and intertwined them with his own compositions.
“It was quite complex and difficult for the musicians, but they were well able to achieve it. They are a younger group but they are very accomplished and very dedicated. We were so impressed with them all,” said Roisin.
The festival, held in Carndonagh at the weekend, was the work of volunteer group Inishowen Traditional Music Project, who have helped salvage much of our local music and cultural heritage over the past 20 years.
“It was a great success,” said Roisin. “We had a great turn out at many events in the Colgan Hall, the Community School and pubs around Carndonagh, with visitors from Scotland, Spain and France.”
The festival had a mix of local and visiting artists such as the Niall Hanna Trio from Co Tyrone, Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh from Altan, noted local harmonica maestro Tom Byrne, Michael Gallanagh, Ella and Deirdre McGrory and Paula and Melanie Houten.
On Sunday, a talk given by historian Angela Byrne examined the wealth of songs Honoria Galwey collected dating back to the mid 1800’s.
A series of traditional dance workshops was held in the Colgan Hall on Sunday afternoon by Mary and Joe McGuiggan from Co Derry. Irish dancing, before competitive dancing was introduced, was traditionally held in local houses.
“The Lancers” is a refreshingly relaxed series of dances taught by Mary and Joe which sees a return to the tradition of Irish dancing’s role in facilitating community engagement and creating social bonds. “The Lancers was lost around here for a while, the lancers Mary and Joe taught was from Annie Hirrell so it was the lancers that was danced in Cloontagh, Clonmany” said Roisin.
“This form of Irish dance is about socialising and having fun together,” said Roisin.
“The key point is welcoming people and making people feel at ease.”
Those who wish to get involved can follow Mary and Joe McGuiggan on Facebook or contact the ITMP directly through their website or at info@inishowenmusic.ie. They run dance workshops in Culturlann UÍ Chanáin in Derry once a month.
ITMP’s further plans include the launch of a film in Buncrana about the life of Honoria Galwey later in the summer as part of Errigal Arts Festival. “This will lead in to a bigger piece of work by Martin Tourish of Altan later in the year,” said Roisin.
“We could not do any of this without the Arts Council of Ireland funding and Donegal County Council. We are grateful for their continued support. We would also like to thank all the local artists and community who came out and supported us.”
Tags: