A book on one of Galway’s traditional flute players will be launched this week, followed by performances in Ballinasloe, Loughrea and in Galway city by fiddler and flautist Frankie Gavin.
The book, Compositions of Tommy Whelan – Traditional Irish Music Dance Tunes by Seán Maloney, charts the legacy of Tommy Whelan (1879 – 1951 ) of Kylebrack who was a founder member of the famous Ballinakill Traditional Players. This group, which included the author’s father Eddie Maloney, later became the Ballinakill Céilí Band and left recordings of their 1920s and 1930s performances on old 78rpm vinyl records.
The book includes a biography of Whelan with photographs. It also includes a CD of home recordings made by Seán of his father Eddie Moloney during the 1970s.
Presentations of the book will be held this Saturday, Septrember 7, at The Hub in Ballinalose at 1.30pm as part of the Féile Cheoil Larry Reynolds traditional music festival.
On Saturday, September 14, at 8.30pm there will be a session after the launch at The Hill Bar, Kylebrack, Loughrea, lead by Mike Fahy, Dick Joyce and Ned Colman.
On Friday, October 4, at 8.30pm in The Crane Bar, Galway city, the launch will be followed by a session with Mick Crehan and Anders Trabjerg joined by members of the Moloney family.
