School Visits by Sliabh Luachra Music Trail Musician in Residence

Kilmurry National School pupils from left: Gearóid Donegan, David Breja and Thomas Kelliher getting a close up on fiddle playing from Sliabh Luachra Musician in Residence Eoin Stan O’Sullivan during his recent visit to the Cordal school. ©Photograph: John Reidy

A room full of musicians: Concertina player, Kerri Lenihan with keyboard player, Ben Quirke pictured during the visit of Sliabh Luachra Musician in Residence, Eoin Stan O’Sullivan to Áth Na mBláth National School on St. Brigid’s Day. ©Photograph: John Reidy

Principal, Tricia O’Shea pictured with Sliabh Luachra Musician in Residence, Eoin Stan O’Sullivan during his visit to Áth Na mBláth National School on St. Brigid’s Day. ©Photograph: John Reidy

Sliabh Luachra Musician in Residence, Eoin Stan O’Sullivan has an attentive class during his visit to Áth Na mBláth National School on St. Brigid’s Day. Included (nearest to camera) is James Doyle, a grandson of the legendary Sliabh Luachra accordion player, Jimmy Doyle. ©Photograph: John Reidy

Sixth Class pupils, Gavin Cronin and Jayden McCarthy joining in the tune during Sliabh Luachra Musician in Residence, Eoin Stan O’Sullivan’s visit to Áth Na mBláth National School on St. Brigid’s Day. ©Photograph: John Reidy

Class Involvement: Sliabh Luachra Musician in Residence, Eoin Stan O’Sullivan getting the class involved during his visit to Áth Na mBláth National School on St. Brigid’s Day. ©Photograph: John Reidy

Sliabh Luachra Musician in Residence, Eoin Stan O’Sullivan pictured at the grave of the Fiddle Master Patrick O’Keeffe in Kilmurry Cemetery during his recent visit to the nearby Kilmurry National School. ©Photograph: John Reidy

Fifth and sixth class pupils at Áth Na mBláth National School: Emilia Ptak, Ruth Moynihan, Anna Lee Crowley, Doireann Dwyer and Ava Moore playing their tunes during the visit of Sliabh Luachra Musician in Residence, Eoin Stan O’Sullivan on St. Brigid’s Day. ©Photograph: John Reidy

Sliabh Luachra Musician in Residence, Eoin Stan O’Sullivan pictured during his visit to Áth Na mBláth National School on St. Brigid’s Day. ©Photograph: John Reidy

Kilmurry National School pupil and singer, Áine Walsh getting a tour of a fiddle from Sliabh Luachra Musician in Residence Eoin Stan O’Sullivan during his recent visit to the Cordal school. ©Photograph: John Reidy

Tuning Up: Sliabh Luachra Musician in Residence Eoin Stan O’Sullivan preparing to face the music during his recent visit to Kilmurry National School in Cordal. ©Photograph: John Reidy

Kilmurry National School pupils: Ellie Mai Walsh, Aimee Browne, Rebecca Murphy and Grace O’Callaghan in discussion with Sliabh Luachra Musician in Residence Eoin Stan O’Sullivan during his recent visit to the Cordal school. ©Photograph: John Reidy

A Case for the Fiddle: Sliabh Luachra Musician in Residence, Eoin Stan O’Sullivan making a case for fiddle playing during his visit to Áth Na mBláth National School on St. Brigid’s Day. ©Photograph: John Reidy

Eoin O’Sullivan, the Sliabh Luachra Music Trail musician in residence has been busy visiting national schools in Cork, Kerry and Limerick since his appointment.

He brings his fiddle and his stories of musicians past and present, giving the young students an insight into their unique musical and cultural heritage as residents of Sliabh Luachra.

Traditional Music Archive

He is also recording tunes with the children for the Irish Traditional Music Archive.

Eoin has been invited to schools in Abbeyfeale, Áth naBláth, Barraduff, Ballydesmond, Boherbue, Brosna, Cullen, Dromtrasna, Kilmurry, Kiskeam, Knockaclarig, Knocknagree, Loughfouder, Meelin, Meenkilly, Meentogues, Millstreet, Newmarket, Raheen, Rathmore, Scartaglin, Shrone and Templeglantine as part of his outreach programme.

Well Known Musician

Eoin Stan to his friends, is a well known musician from Newmarket in County Cork. He spent his childhood immersed in the music and history of Sliabh Luachra mainly thanks to his father, the fiddle playing local historian Raymond O’Sullivan.

In 2013 he started a small school teaching local music to people of all ages and that year he also took on the role of director of Scully’s Fest, one of the many offerings on the Sliabh Luachra musical calendar.

Sliabh Luachra Music

“It’s been a huge pleasure to visit the schools and see the interest the children have in learning about Sliabh Luachra music,” said Eoin.

“It’s very heartening to see the amount of musical talent in the schools, and I’d love if even more could be done to help children learn the tunes from their local areas. I’ve seen children bristle with pride when I play them music named after their locality or their relatives.

Their Own Music

“I think every child in Sliabh Luachra should be helped to learn their own music. Someone growing up in Kerry will always be told about the county’s vast sporting achievements and it should be the same when it comes to Kerry’s continuing musical and cultural legacy.”

The musician in residence scheme is funded by Cork, Kerry and Limerick County Councils and the Arts Council. It supports the work of Kerry, Cork and Limerick councils in promoting and recognising the value and contribution of Sliabh Luachra Music to the cultural heritage of the area.

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