“If there was a great gale blowing from the West and you were in the house playing music, you would not hear any wind.”
This is how Pól Mac Ruairí describes the advantages of being a musician on Tory island in the new TG4 six part documentary series Ceol na nOileán, the first episode of which will be broadcast on Sunday.
The series explores the musical culture of the Aran Islands, Inishbofin, and Ceantar na nOileán in Galway, the Great Blasket in Kerry, Achill in Mayo, and Tory Island in Donegal.
Each programme gives an insight into the musical history of the various islands, how it has evolved over the years, and the strength of that tradition at present. Archive material features strongly.
Ceol na nOileán is produced and directed by Mairín Seoighe. Among the participants are Dr Lillis Ó Laoire, Dessie O’Halloran, Sharon Shannon, Nan Tom Taimín, and Máire Áine Ní Iarnáin.
