Eoin clocks up mileage on magical music trail
EOIN O’Sullivan, the Sliabh Luachra Music Trail musician in residence, has been busy visiting national schools in Cork, Kerry and Limerick.
He brings his fiddle and his stories of musicians past and present, and gives the young students an insight into their unique musical and cultural heritage as residents of Sliabh Luachra.
He is also recording tunes with the children for the Irish Traditional Music Archive.
Eoin Stan to his friends, he has been invited to schools in Abbeyfeale, Áth na mBláth, Barraduff, Ballydesmond, Boherbue, Brosna, Cullen, Dromtrasna, Kilmurry, Kiskeam, Knockaclarig, Knocknagree, Loughfouder, Meelin, Meenkilly, Meentogues, Millstreet, Newmarket, Raheen, Rathmore, Scartaglin, Shrone and Templeglantine as part of his outreach programme.
A well known musician from Newmarket, County Cork, Eoin spent his childhood immersed in the music and history of Sliabh Luachra, mainly thanks to his father, the fiddle-playing local historian Raymond O’Sullivan. In 2013 he started a small school teaching local music to people of all ages, and that year he also took on the role of director of Scully’s Fest, one of the many offerings on the Sliabh Luachra musical calendar.
“It’s been a huge pleasure to visit the schools and see the interest the children have in learning about Sliabh Luachra music,” said Eoin.
“It’s very heartening to see the amount of musical talent in the schools, and I’d love if even more could be done to help children learn the tunes from their local areas.
“I’ve seen children bristle with pride when I play them music named after their locality or their relatives.
“I think every child in Sliabh Luachra should be helped to learn their own music. Someone growing up in Kerry will always be told about the county’s vast sporting achievements, and it should be the same when it comes to Kerry’s continuing musical and cultural legacy.”
The musician in residence scheme is funded by Cork, Kerry and Limerick County Councils, and the Arts Council. It supports the work of Kerry, Cork and Limerick councils in promoting and recognising the value and contribution of Sliabh Luachra to our cultural heritage.