Night of the Round Tables and the Sliabh Luachra Music Trail

At the Sliabh Luachra Music Trail meeting at the River Island Hotel in Castleisland were, from left: PJ O’Sullivan, Freemount; Eoin Stan O’Sullivan, Sliabh Luachra Musician in Residence; Kate Kennelly, Kerry County Council Arts Officer; Martin Flannery, Rockchapel and Matt Cranitch, Cork. Photograph: John Reidy

The Night of the Round Tables: A view of the Sliabh Luachra Music Trail meeting at the River Island Hotel in Castleisland – where representatives of Cork and Kerry County Councils and festivals in Cork, Kerry and Limerick were represented. Photograph: John Reidy

Jack Roche, Bruach Na Carraige, Rockchapel (left) pictured with Geraldine and Con Houlihan, Cullen Pipe Band at the Sliabh Luachra Music Trail meeting at the River Island Hotel in Castleisland. Photograph: John Reidy

A view of the Sliabh Luachra Music Trail meeting at the River Island Hotel in Castleisland – where representatives of Cork and Kerry County Councils and festivals in Cork, Kerry and Limerick were represented. Photograph: John Reidy

Sliabh Luachra Musician in Residence, Eoin Stan O’Sullivan speaking at the Sliabh Luachra Music Trail meeting at the River Island Hotel in Castleisland. Photograph: John Reidy

At the Sliabh Luachra Music Trail meeting at the River Island Hotel in Castleisland were: Ian McDonagh, Cork County Council Arts Officer (left) pictured with: Eoin Stan O’Sullivan, Sliabh Luachra Musician in Residence; PJ Teahan, World Fiddle Day Scartaglin; Kate Kennelly, Kerry County Council Arts Officer and Pat Quille, Fleadh by the Feale, Abbeyfeale. Photograph: John Reidy

At the Sliabh Luachra Music Trail meeting at the River Island Hotel in Castleisland were from left: Philip Enright, Gary McMahon Singing Festival, Abbeyfeale; Chris Murphy and Raymond O’Sullivan, Scully Fest, Newmarket and PJ Teahan, Handed Down and World Fiddle Day Scartaglin. Photograph: John Reidy

At the Sliabh Luachra Music Trail meeting at the River Island Hotel in Castleisland were, from left: Nora Quille, Fleadh by the Feale; Kate Kennelly, Kerry County Council Arts Officer and Sheila O’Shea, the Maurice O’Keeffe, Traditional Music Festival, Kiskeam. Photograph: John Reidy

Kerry County Council Arts Officer, Kate Kennelly capturing the action at the Sliabh Luachra Music Trail meeting at the River Island Hotel in Castleisland. Photograph: John Reidy

At the Sliabh Luachra Music Trail meeting at the River Island Hotel in Castleisland were, from left: Jimmy Cullinane, Scríobhneoirí Sliabh Luachra; PJ O’Sullivan, Freemount and Peter Browne, Browne’s Bar, Castleisland. Photograph: John Reidy

Almost thirty people from Cork, Kerry and Limerick attended a meeting at the River Island Hotel in Castleisland recently.

It could have been titled or even sub-titled  The Night of the Round Tables but networking and discussing the Sliabh Luachra Music Trail was the object of the three county exercise.

The event was attended by representatives of festivals and events in all three counties.

A Strong Committment

Ian McDonagh and Kate Kennelly, arts officers with Cork and Kerry County Councils respectively, facilitated the meeting which was supported by the Arts Council of Ireland.

The discussions all showed a strong commitment to growing a greater awareness of the trail, preserving the tradition of Sliabh Luachra music, song and dance and connecting all those involved.

First Musician in Residence

“It was a very positive meeting. It was great to see such a good turnout of all these people who are so passionate about Sliabh Luachra’s heritage, making plans for the future,” said Eoin Stan O’Sullivan, the music trail’s first musician in residence.

Eoin Stan revealed the poet within when he verbalised his mission as one of fanning the flames rather than raking the ashes of the deep seated culture of the area under his remit.

Heritage at Heart

Kate Kennelly pointed out that the Sliabh Luachra Music Trail has musical heritage at its heart. “Through the trail, we are celebrating, preserving and promoting that music, while creating opportunities for musicians and audiences alike.

“The musician in residence aspect of the trail encourages young people to learn more about the Sliabh Luachra style and about the music and musicians of their own areas,” said Ms. Kennelly.

More Info on Trail Site

Upcoming events and further information may be found on the Sliabh Luachra Music Trail with a clich on the link here: www.sliabhluachra.ie.

You can contact The Maine Valley Post on…
Anyone in The Maine Valley Post catchment area who would like to send us news and captioned photographs for inclusion can send them to: jreidy@mainevalleypost.com