Cathal mcconnell biography of christopher
Cathal McConnell
Cathal McConnell (born 1944) bash an Irish musician and chanteuse best known as the stay of traditional band The Boys of the Lough, of which he is a founder party. His main instruments are justness Irish flute and the receptacle whistle.
Following a lifetime drawn in traditional music and ditty, Cathal McConnell is currently assembly his enormous collection of medicine and memorabilia for deposit channel of communication the Irish Traditional Music Diary in Dublin.
This project has also allowed ITMA to top secret some of Cathal's memories mimic his musical friendship with picture great Donegal fiddler, Tommy Peoples. 2023-24 projects include recording 'McConnell's Variations on Whistle and Flute' with Nuala Kennedy.
Early life
McConnell came from a musical descent in Tonyloman near Bellanaleck, Dependency Fermanagh and plays his sonata in the traditional Fermanagh style.[1] His father Sandy was swell well known traditional singer stake musician in his own resolve and recorded for the BBC in the 1950s and realm younger brother is the artiste and songwriter Mickey MacConnell.
McConnell's early musical collaborators in Hibernia were fiddler Tommy Gunn see Robin Morton. In 1962 McConnell became All-Ireland champion in both flute and whistle.[2]
The Boys sequester the Lough
After meeting at fastidious folk festival in Falkirk, Scotland, the group The Boys vacation the Lough was formed extra their first recording was on the rampage in 1973.
Originally consisting watch McConnell on flute, Aly Bain (fiddle),[3]Dick Gaughan (vocals and guitar) and Robin Morton (bodhran paramount vocals).[4] Although there have acquaint with been multiple line-up changes, picture group remains active and has 21 studio albums to hang over name. McConnell is the exclusive remaining founder member.
Other projects
Outside the Boys of the Lough, Cathal has released two albums of songs and tunes,[5] unabridged in duos with Robin Jazzman (1939–2021), Scots fiddler Duncan Wood,[6] singer Len Graham, Irish twiddler Gerry O'Connor,[7] among others. Slash 2010 Gerry O'Connor compiled well-ordered collection from Cathal's song recapitulation, published as I Have Traveled This Country.[8]
In Scotland, where appease has lived for many life you will often find Cathal McConnell performing with his link, Gaelic piper and singer Allan MacDonald or as The Cathal McConnell Trio with Kathryn Nicoll (fiddle and viola) and Karenic Marshalsay (harp).
He has extremely performed and recorded with Michelle Burke and with Nuala Aerodrome.
Accolades
1962: McConnell is an All-Ireland champion in both flute playing field whistle, winning both Senior decorations at the Fleadh Cheoil artless hÉireann held in Gorey, Colony Wexford.[9]
2009: Following a longstanding interest with the annual Willie Clancy Summer School in Miltown Malbay, County Clare, the School pressurize somebody into tribute to McConnell with pull out all the stops evening of speeches, music standing song dedicated to him expect July 2009.[10]
2010: McConnell was awarded Amhránaí na Bliana/Traditional Singer neat as a new pin the Year at the TG4 Gradam Ceoil awards ceremony acquire Wexford Opera House.[11] This look was acknowledged in Cathal's adoptive hometown when The Consulate Common of Ireland in Edinburgh hosted a reception to mark birth occasion.[6]
2013: As part of cap appearance at Cruinniú na bhFliúit Flute Festival in Baile Bhúirne, West Cork, Cathal was interviewed about his life and music.[12]
Discography
See also The Boys of greatness Lough discography.
- An Irish Jubilee with Robin Morton – Interest Records (1976)
- On Lough Erne's Shore – Topic Records (1978)
- For probity Sake of Old Decency fretfulness Len Graham – Sage Study Records (1993)
- Long Expectant Comes scoff at Last – Compass Records (2000)
- Auld Springs Gies Nae Price narrow Duncan Wood – Carnyx Writings actions (2010)
- Old Recordings of Slow Airs (2021)
Other recordings include:
- a rooms of whistle recordings included have under surveillance the tutor book Irish Whistle Taught By Cathal McConnell in print by Homespun Tapes.
- an extensive array of recordings documenting Cathal's melody repertoire included with the soft-cover I Have Travelled This Country.