Culture Night Celebrations for Emma’s CD and New Mural in Scart

A gathering at the Sliabh Luachra Heritage Centre in Scartaglin as the final touches were being put to the mural in May of this year.. John and Nora Walsh, Sliabh Luachra Drama Group pictured with Garreth Joyce and Lukas Dwan, mural artists; Tom Fleming, representing Handed Down Concert and Lecture Programme; Liam Delaney, mural artist and Kerry County Council Arts Officer, Kate Kennelly. ©Photograph: John Reidy 22-5- 2021

As part of Culture Night 2021 Scartaglen is also shaking off the shackles of the past 18 months and a special occasion is still at the planning stage in the Handed Down head office.

Earlier this month the Patrick O’Keeffe Traditional Music Festival announced its plans for a return on October 22^nd to 25^th inclusive and only this morning the 1978 founded Cork Jazz Festival revealed similar intentions for the same weekend.

Celebrating the Mural and Emma’s CD

“We will celebrate the new mural in Scartaglen on Friday September 17^th at 8pm with a few words at the Pádraig O’Keeffe monument,” said PJ Teahan.

“This will give locals a chance to meet young musicians, Seán Butler, Scartaglin and Seán Michael and Andrew Redican from Ballyroe.
They will be followed by Emma O’Leary who will play tunes from her new CD which Nicky and Anne McAuliffe will launch.

“Emma’s CD has tunes from the area and will be available to buy on the night for €10. Please come along as Covid distancing rules will be observed,” said PJ.

Mo Cheantar Féin

Talking about her CD Emma said that she recorded her own seven track fiddle EP titled Mo Cheantar Féin thanks to the persuasion and encouragement from Eoin Stan O’Sullivan.

As part of his Sliabh Luachra Musician in Residence projects, Eoin Stan recorded and mixed the live recording in Culturlann MacAmhlaoibh in Newmarket, Co. Cork in May this year.

“I am delighted to be accompanied on the CD by the great bouzouki player, Brian Mooney from Brosna,” said Emma.

Growing up in Scart

“I chose the album title Mo Cheantar Féin – meaning my own area, as all of the music on the recording comes from the area in which I grew up in. Scartaglen, Co. Kerry, in the heart of Sliabh Luachra is an area steeped in music, poetry and folklore,

“I was lucky enough to grow up in this area and play regularly with the Sliabh Luachra greats.

Precious and Sentimental

“All the repertoire on the album I learned directly from these musicians, neighbours and friends,” said Emma.

“The fact that I associate the music here with the older musicians makes it very precious and sentimental to me – I associate the music with the local people,” Emma concluded.

Eoin Stan O’Sullivan spoke to Aoife Nic Cormaic on The Rolling Wave and you can hear the programme with a click on the link here: https://www.rte.ie/radio/radio1/clips/11328295

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