www.bc.edu/gaelicroots
Gaelic Roots Music, Song, Dance, Workshop and Lecture Series
Series Director: Séamus Connolly, Sullivan Artist-in-Residence
Spring 2008 Calendar

Fulbright Scholar–Dr. Jim O’Brien Moran: Boston College is delighted to welcome Fulbright recipient Dr. Jim O’Brien Moran for the spring 2008 semester. A highly respected uilleann piper, singer, and tin-whistle player, Dr. O’Brien Moran has been studying and playing Irish music for over two decades. He participates in symposia all over the globe, and been a regular teacher at the Willie Clancy Summer School in Miltown Malbay, Co. Clare.
His doctorate from the University of Limerick focused on the music of the Galway piper Paddy Conneely (c.1800-1850). Dr. O’Brien Moran has lectured at both the University of Limerick and Waterford Institute of Technology. He has recorded solo albums and appears on group albums such as James Kelly’s The Ring Sessions for Claddagh Records. Jim O’Brien Moran will be presenting at three of the events listed below.

Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Irish Dance and Céilí, Directed by Meghan Allen, T.C.R.G.
Live dance music by Séamus Connolly (Sullivan Artist-in-Residence), Larry Reynolds, and friends.
All ages and levels welcome, under the direction of BC’s own dance
instructor, Meghan Allen.
* Gasson Hall Irish Room, Boston College.
* Beginner instruction at 6:30 p.m.; Dances taught from 6:45-8:45
(all levels)

Wednesday, February 6, 2008
Lecture/Concert, “The Life, Times, and Irish Music Manuscripts of Henry Hudson (1798-1889),” presented by visiting Fulbright scholar Jim O’Brien Moran. Folk music collector Henry Hudson and his family, members of professional Dublin society, pursued a variety of patriotic interests in 19th century Ireland. Henry Hudson’s important collection, containing over 800 melodies,
includes tunes notated from Galway piper Paddy Conneely and other musicians. Dr. Henry Hudson’s music manuscripts are part of the collections of the Boston Public Library.
* John J. Burns Library, Thompson Room, Boston College, 6:30-8:00 pm

Thursday, February 28, 2008 - An Evening of Songs and Stories, in Two Parts:
Part 1: Lecture/Concert, “As I Roved Out: Song Translations from the Gaelic by Séamus Ennis,” presented by Jim O’Brien Moran.
This lecture and performance delves into the history of Gaelic song
translations that were completed by uilleann piper and collector Séamus Ennis.
* Lecture/Concert: Connolly House, Boston College, 6:30-7:15 pm

Part 2: Concert, “Songs and Stories in Irish and English,” performed by Bridget Fitzgerald, Mary Lee Partington, Ken Lyons, and Lindsay O’Donovan.
Born and raised in Connemara, Bridget Fitzgerald is a sought-after
teacher and performer of both sean nós (old style) Irish language songs and songs in English. Along with Bridget, Mary Lee Partington will present Irish songs and 19th/20th century Irish-American parlor songs, accompanied by guitarist Ken Lyons and Lindsay O’Donovan on piano.
* Concert: Connolly House, Boston College, 7:30-8:30 pm

Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Exhibit/Reception, “Reflections of Ireland: Music and Landscapes,”
by artist Richard Toomey.
The exhibit, on view March 1 through March 31, includes Richard
Toomey’s portraits of Boston-based Irish musicians.
Reception with live music co-sponsored by the John J. Burns Library.
* John J. Burns Library, Boston College, 4:30-6:30 pm.
* RSVP 617-552-3282

Thursday, March 27, 2008
Concert, “Ceol, Scéalta, agus Amhráin: Music, Stories, and Songs,” performed by Jim O’Brien Moran on uilleann pipes, whistle, and vocals. Recording artist, lecturer, and Fulbright scholar Jim O’Brien Moran presents an evening of Irish instrumental music and song.
* Connolly House, Boston College, 7:00-9:00 pm

Tuesday, April 1, 2008
Concert, “Uilleann Pipes, Whistles, and Irish Flute,” by Cillian
Vallely and Kevin Crawford. Kevin Crawford and Cillian Vallely both have extensive experience in performing, recording, and teaching Irish music. In addition to playing with the band Lúnasa, flute and whistle player Kevin Crawford has performed with such groups as ‘Moving Cloud,” with solo recordings to his credit. Lúnasa member Cillian Vallely (uilleann pipes and low whistle) has performed with such groups as New York-based ‘Whirligig’ and ‘Chulrua,’ and in the Broadway production of Riverdance. He has recorded a CD with his brother Niall Vallely.
* Connolly House, Boston College, 7:00-9:00 pm

Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Concert, “Songs and Stories from the Ulster Tradition,” performed by Len Graham. As a singer, recording artist, and field collector, Len Graham has cultivated the song tradition of his native Ulster throughout his life. Len is a key source of songs for many of Ireland’s leading traditional groups and singers.
* Connolly House, Boston College, 7:00-9:00 pm

Events are free of charge unless otherwise noted.
Updated parking regulations are in effect: http://www.bc.edu/parking
All events are subject to change. For more information, please contact Irish Programs (Liz Sullivan) at 617-552-3938, or e-mail irish@bc.edu.