5th July – 13th July, 2008
www.willieclancy-summerschool.com

July wouldn’t be July without a little bit of music in Miltown Malbay when Clare celebrates the legacy of Willie Clancy. Now in its 36th year it has everything; great sessions, excellent music vendors and some superb traditional concerts. Some events that took our eye from this year’s programme are: the Breandán Breathnach Memorial Lecture on July 5th when Terry Moylan, musician, archivist and writer, will give a talk on Na Piobairí Uilleann 1968-2008 in the Community Hall. On Monday the 7th of July, Dr. Reg Hall will give a talk on Irish Traditional Music in London, this will be a first-hand account as he was there when some of the most famous live recording were made in the 1960’s.

Wednesday the 9th of July’s featured talk is on Paddy Murphy, a pioneer of the Irish concertina. This is an illustrated lecture by Dr Gearóid Ó hAllmhuráin, Professor of Irish Studies, University of Missouri, St Louis. The lecture is taken from the work hAllmhuráin, put into ‘Paddy Murphy In Good Hands - Field Recordings from a Pioneer of the Irish Concertina’. Produced by Peadar O’Loughlin and Dr. Gearóid Ó hAllmhuráin and released on Celtic Crossings, CC2007, the work honours the Clare man who taught his distinctive style to noted concertina players Noel Hill, Gearóid Ó hAllmhuráin, Gerald Haugh, Miriam Collins and others. This memorial CD features 28 tracks of tunes and field interviews with Paddy Murphy (1913-1992) of Bealgragga, Co. Clare. Rich with fascinating anecdotes and rare photos, the enclosed 28-page book reveals the origins of the Irish concertina and traces the oral history of ‘hedge school’ style music teachers, céilí bands, early recordings, fleadhanna, and much more.