Date/Time
Date(s) - 12/11/2022
8:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Location
Amharclann Ghaoth Dobhair
Categories No Categories
Ticéid – https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/an-cosan-draiochta-tickets-431790806927
PRESS RELEASE
An Cosán Draíochta – On Nationwide Tour
New Music Commission in Tribute to Renowned Connemara Musician,
Johnny Connolly
An Cosán Draíochta, a new musical suite in memory of the renowned and much-loved Connemara melodeon player Johnny Connolly, will begin a nationwide tour on 21st October and will be staged in Amharchlann Ghaoth Dobhair on November 12th.
It was composed by his son, Johnny Óg who is also a unique and highly regarded force in the world of traditional music, both as a performer and composer.
Referred to as the “King of the Melodeon”, Johnny Connolly, who died in December 2019, was a musical genius whose rhythmic and flawless style of playing was legendary. His love of his native Connemara and its music coloured every tune he played, and this deep-rooted connection to its culture and traditions is reflected and honoured in Johnny Óg’s outstandingly beautiful composition.
An Cosán Draíochta was commissioned by Stiúideo Cuan, the new and much welcomed Creative Arts and Music Centre in An Spidéal, Connemara, and enthralled audiences at its premiere there late last year. Directed and produced by Darach Mac Con Iomaire, it is now embarking on a much-anticipated nationwide tour which will see performances in nine counties over three weekends.
(Dates and Venues below).
The work features an ensemble of acclaimed artists who seamlessly weave the music and the oral art forms of song and poetry in this profoundly moving and uplifting musical tribute.
Performers include Johnny Óg Connolly (accordion and melodeon) Ciara Ní Bhriain (fiddle/viola), Clíodhna Ní Choisdealbha (banjo, tenor guitar and Greek bouzouki), Jim Higgins (piano and percussion), Pádraig Ó Dubhgaill (guitar), Seosamh Ó Neachtain (dancer) and Áine Ní Dhroighneáin (singer and actor).
An cosán draíochta, meaning the magic path, was the name given by the islanders of Inis Bearacháin, off the Conamara coast (where the late Johnny Connolly was born), to the path that emerged to the mainland during low tide. An cosán draíochta was an artery in the life and psyche of the islanders, as was their music.
Creating this musical suite was a labour of love for Johnny Óg as it not alone remembers and celebrates the music of his much-loved dad, but also acknowledges and reflects the culture and traditions of Connemaara and Inis Bearacháin.
Dates and Venues October/November
Friday 21/10 Triskel Arts Centre, Cork
Saturday 22/10 Smock Alley, Dublin
Sunday 23/10 Cultúrlann McAdam Ó Fiaich, Belfast
Thursday 03/11 Oireachtas na Samhna, Killarney
Friday 04/11 Glór, Ennis, Co. Clare
Tuesday 08/11 Town Hall Theatre, Galway
Wednesday 09/11 Theatre Royal, Waterford
Friday 11/11 Solstice Arts Centre, Navan
Saturday 12/11 Amharclann Ghaoth Dobhair, Donegal
Further Information: paul@studiocuan.ie
Produced by Stiúideo Cuan in conjunction with:
The Arts Council, Foras na Gaeilge, Údarás na Gaeltachta, Dublin City Council, TG4, Galway Co Council, Meath Co Council, Galway City Council, Donegal Co Council, Ealaín na Gaeltachta
& Oireachtas na Samhna
PREASEISIÚINT
An Cosán Draíochta
Saothar Nua Ceoil i gcuimhne ar Johnny Connolly
ar Chamchuairt Náisiúnta
Tá ríméad ar Stiúideo Cuan a fhógairt go mbeidh An Cosán Draíochta, saothar úrnua leis an gceoltóir agus cumadóir iomráiteach Johnny Óg Connolly, in ómós dá athair, Johnny Pháraic Phíotair, ag dul ar chamchuairt náisiúnta, ag tosnú 21 Dheireadh Fómhair, agus in Amharchlann Ghaoth Dobhair ar 11 Samhain.
Johnny Connolly; Johnny na gConnollys; Johnny Phádraic Phíotair; Johnny Phádraig Phíotair Thomáis Mhichil Thaidhg; Johnny Inis Bearachain; Sean-Johnny; Rí an Mhileoidean – is cuma cén t-ainm a luaitear leis, is é an duine céanna a thagann chun cuimhne – fear uasal, ceolmhar, gealgháireach, spraíúil a chuir spiorad agus anam sa cheol a sheinn sé, a lonraigh an seomra lena mheangadh gáire, agus a chuir rithim sheasta ar fáil do dhamhsóirí ar an sean-nós ar fud an domhain.
Tar éis bháis Johnny i 2019, bhronn Stiúideo Cuan coimisiún ar a mhac, an boscadóir clúiteach, Johnny Óg Connolly, chun saothar nua ceoil a chumadh in ómós agus i gcuimhne a Dheaide.
Ceol nua ar fad atá anseo, curtha i láthair ag scoth na gceoltóirí, ina measc: Johnny Óg Connolly (bosca), Clíodhna Ní Choisdealbha (banjó), Ciara Ní Bhriain (fidil), Pádraig Ó Dubhghaill (giotár), Jim Higgins (cnaguirlisí & Pianó), Seosamh Ó Neachtain (damhnsa) agus an t-amhránaí cumasach Áine Ní Dhroighneáin.
Tá An Cosán Draíochta á léiriú ag Darach Mac Con Iomaire, stiúrthóir cruthaitheach Stiúideo Cuan, a bhfuil aitheantas náisiúnta agus idirnáisiúnta bainte amach aige as ucht caighdeán agus cruthaitheacht a chuid oibre.
An Cosán Draíochta
Dátaí Camchuairte Samhain/Deireadh Fomhair
Aoine 21/10 Triskel Arts Centre, Corcaigh
Satharn 22/10 Smock Alley, Baile Átha Cliath.
Domhnach 23/10 Cultúrlann McAdam Ó Fiaich, Béal Feirste
Déardaoin 03/11 Oireachtas na Samhna, Cill Áirne.
Aoine 04/11 Glór, Ennis, Co an Chláir.
Dé Máirt 08/11 Town Hall Theatre, Gaillimh
Dé Céadaoin 09/11 Theatre Royal, Port Láirge.
Aoine 11/11 Solstice Arts Centre, An Uaimh.
Satharn 12/11 Amharclann Ghaoth Dobhair
Eolas & Agallaimh ar fáil ó:
Stiúideo Cuan, An Spidéal, Conamara
Tá Stiúideo Cuan ag cur an togra seo i láthair i gcomhar le:
The Arts Council, Foras na Gaeilge, Údarás na Gaeltachta, Dublin City C
ouncil, TG4, Galway Co Council, Meath Co Council, Galway City Council, Donegal Co Council, Ealaín na Gaeltachta