The tried and tested seanfhocail, tús maith leath na hoibre held water again in Scart recently as the Handed Down series of lectures and recitals strolled with ease into its second season.
If this was a start-as-you-mean-to-continue opener to the new season, then we’re in for a great winter / spring of entertainment. Co-organiser, PJ Teahan is a great man for delegating responsibility to those he knows can handle it and the brief he gives them.
Emma O’Leary Presented
He put his faith in a certainty in Scart on opening night and asked former, double All-Ireland slow-airs winner, (whistle and fiddle) Emma O’Leary to present the events of the night.
Guests: Aoife Ní Chaoimh and Paudie O’Connor, Nell Ní Chróinín and the multi talented, multi- honoured, McAuliffe sisters from the UK were joined by the seriously laid-back Eoin Stan O’Sullivan and friends from Scully’s Bar and Music Academy in Newmarket.
Each tune they played had a story to it and it was entertainingly told by Eoin Stan. Well, they do say that it’s the way they’re told and he did it with style.
Paudie O’Connor did an audio and screen presentation on the history of Radio Éireann / RTÉ Radio forays into the Sliabh Luachra area and the collections which resulted from them.
Invited Musicians
Back to the future: On the coming Saturday night November 21st another team of invited musicians will play 20 minute sets from recordings associated with the Sliabh Luachra area and there will be songs with Joe Creedon. That’s all happening between 8pm sharp and 10pm and there’s usually a stroll up the village afterwards.
The evening is sub-titled: Under the Influence and, among those coming clean about their musical influences are: Derek Hickey and Liam Flanagan, Aidan Coffey and Geraldine O’Callaghan, Maura O Connor and Conor Daly.
They’ll talk about their stand out, traditional music recordings and play tunes from them. Admission for adults is €7 and the series is a fundraiser for next May’s World Fiddle Day in Scartaglin.
