Some of the best traditional musicians in the county will feature on this Sunday’s episode of Slí na mBeaglaoich on TG4.
The series follows renowned West Kerry traditional musicians Breanndán Ó Beaglaoich and his son Cormac travelling up the west coast from Kerry to Donegal in their 40-year-old camper van, Beauty.
In the exciting six-part traditional music series, they meet up with traditional musicians and artists as they embark on a trip of a lifetime.
The third episode this Sunday, 10 May, sees the lads and their replacement camper van arrive in Galway, and their first port of call is the historical Coole Park.
Here they meet local accordion player Conor Connolly who takes a stroll through the woods with Cormac, and explains how he found his passion for the tradition.
Conor brings them to meet his heroes flute player, Des Mulkere and accordion aficionado, Charlie Harris. They share a tune in the sun at Moran’s on the Weir before hitting the road westward to catch the boat to Inishbofin.
Once there, they are welcomed off the boat by family friend singer, Andrew Murray, who is later joined for a song by his son Luke. They learn that the island has a habit of drawing you back home, and how music is kept alive during the cold winter nights by brothers, fiddler Francis O’Halloran and accordion player, John O’Halloran.
The theme of family continues as they are welcomed to the home of the Kane sisters, fiddlers Liz and Yvonne.
The following morning, they are joined in the van by brother and sister Caoimhe and Séamus Ó Flatharta who put their own spin on sean-nós singing, while staying true to the story.
At Lough Inagh they meet old friends tin whistle player, Mary Bergin and harpist, Kathleen Loughnane, who could not imagine their lives without music.
Accordion player Johnny Óg Connolly is joined by banjo player Clíodhna Costello and on the guitar Pádraig Ó Dubhghaill.
Johnny Óg explains that while learning from his late father Johnny Connolly, he was able to put his own approach to his style of playing; much like Cormac has learned from Breanndán.
The programme will be be broadcast on TG4 on Sunday 10 May at 9.30pm.
