Traditional music band, Shaskeen, has been a cornerstone of Irish Traditional music and song for over half a century and show no signs of slowing down, ahead of their appearance in the Town Hall Theatre as part of Advertiser Events, we look back through various publications that have covered the group's long history.
The talent of Shaskeen cannot be understated and was explained in our own Old Galway column (June 19, 2008 ) by Tom Kenny as a part of a "very healthy traditional music scene that exists in Galway," and it all began in 1970, in London when Irish Traditional Music was at its peak thanks to new waves of Irish emigrants.
The origin of Shaskeen can be traced back to a pub, The Oxford Tavern in Kentish Town, then a lively hub of Irish emigrants and their families. Founder of Shaskeen, Tom Cussen had left Limerick in 1967 for the bright lights of London, bringing his deep grá for music with him. Responding to a request for the establishment of a band to play on Friday nights by the then owner of The Oxford Tavern, Shaskeen was created.
In 1971, Tom moved to Galway following the promise of work, a coincidental move mirrored by founding band mate, Benny O'Connor, and the two would restart Shaskeen, later bringing on two other members, P.J Hernon and Tom Cousins.
In 1973, Shaskeen were playing at venues all over the country, described as one of "Ireland's leading bands" on an event advertisement for Conradh na Gaeilge's Traditional Irish night in May, 1973. In the column 'Ceol agus Rinnce' in London based newspaper, The Irish Post (June 9, 1973 ), Jimmy Power writes, "Over on holiday from Ireland is Tom Cussen who went back to live there permanently a year ago. Tom is an excellent banjo player and since going home has formed his own group in Galway city, they are called 'The Shaskeen' and specialise in traditional Irish music, ballads and old time."
By 1974, Shaskeen was labelled as 'The West of Ireland's leading traditional group' and were represented by Jimmy Higgins Promotions located on Lough Atalia Road. Following the release of their self-titled L.P, the group were on a roll, playing for crowds across the country.
In the Music Scene column in the Tuam Herald, November 11, 1974, music reporters Tom Gilmore and Michael Lyster note that the age of rock and roll seemed to be on pause in Galway.
"So, this is the golden age of rock and roll, right? and everybody's mad about Donny Osmond and David Cassidy, right? so how come a traditional Irish band are taking Galway by storm, having everyone from eight to eighty knowing sparks off the maple and buying their first album up like hot buns?
"But then Shaskeen are not just another Ceíli band. In fact, Shaskeen are probably one of the best Ceíli bands in the country at the moment and their album, 'The Shaskeen' is a good example of all that's best in Irish music."
The Shaskeen fever was not an isolated bug, spreading to Irish communities in England and resulting in a tour in 1975 where they played headlining concerts in some of the biggest Irish venues in the UK. Labelled by The Irish Post (October 11, 1975 ) as rivals of The Chieftains for their prominent preeminent position in Irish traditional music circles. As the group amassed nationwide fame, they would appear on RTÉ programmes like The Dermot O'Brien Show, and were signed to the Release Cabaret Roster, with Joe McCadden who then represented Brendan Grace.
The next two decades would see the band gain international fame with celebrated tours of the US and the UK and will be featured in next week's Galway Advertiser, as we continue to look into one of the longest standing bands in the country.
Shaskeen, joined by special guests Benny O'Connor and Alan Wallace, will grace the stage of the Town Hall Theatre on Saturday, June 10. Tickets are €25 and can be purchased from here.
