KiwiCelt Wooden Flutes

If there is a fast way to get to know the quintessential qualities of any country, it must surely be through the music of that land. The traditional music of any country sits proudly on it’s head like a crown for all to see – proclaiming it’s soul and attributes. There are many bright jewels in the crown that adorns Ireland, the crown known as Irish traditional music, and they all have their own character, colour and lustre. Colm O’Donnell is one of those many jewels who’s love for Ireland and her music tradition shines bright. He is a man of his land, indeed a man of the land, and as talented, versatile and authentic traditional musician as you will find in Ireland.

Flute and whistle player, singer, composer and researcher, Colm O’Donnell was born in the parish of Kilmactigue, County Sligo in 1962. He works now as a farmer, forester, shepherd and sheep dog trainer on the family farm which straddles the Ox Mountains (The Sliabh Gaimh) and much of his music reflects his strong connection with the land. His album, Farewell to Evening Dances, hit my mailbox a few days ago and listening to it, I was struck immediately by Colm’s love for the land and for Ireland. It’s an outstanding contribution in my opinion. Here’s an excerpt from a review of the album in Bogfire:

“With the release of Farewell to Evening Dances, a trip to Sligo will not be required to experience the music of All-Ireland winner Colm O’Donnell. It contains a broad, interesting cross-section of material. Newer tunes in the traditional idiom include two lovely reels, The Road to Monalea and Up Spinc’n, composed by Colm. The heartfelt slow air, An Tonn Amplach (The Hungry Sea), another Colm composition, is dedicated to the memory of three young Sligo lads who lost their lives off the coast of County Sligo in May, 1998. The title Farewell to Evening Dances, is taken from the song The Hill of Knocknashee, a sentimental and lyrical ballad of exile that has become to some extent a type of Sligo anthem. Colm’s songs are suffused with a ring of authenticity. His flute and whistle playing is lively, bouncy, and varied, ornamented in the great North Connacht tradition with the odd delightful individual fleck or turn. Colm’s singing style is sweet, tuneful, and full of soul.”

This is the opening track of Farewell to Evening Dances, The Road to Monalea/Up Spici’n (reels):

A little more about Colm O’Donnell from the CD jacket:

Begining in 1989, Colm went on to win three All-Ireland Senior singing titles. In the intervening years, he toured Ireland, Scotland, England, Wales and the U.S. with Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann, was featured on two recordings issued by the Michael Coleman Heritage Centre in Gurteen, performed at Irish Fest in Milwaukee, Wisconsin in 1998, and played for President of Ireland, Mary McAleese and Ambassador Jean Kennedy Smith during their visit to Sligo. In recent years Colm has been collecting and researching music for the Heritage Centre and teaching music at the South Sligo Summer School in Tubercurry. He can be found singing and playing at many sessions in and around County Sligo.

Here’s a sample of Colm’s singing from Farewell to Evening Dances – a soulful rendition of The Hill of Knocknashee:

Get yourselves a copy of Farewell to Evening Dances – you won’t be disappointed. The album is brimming with Irish traditional music in all it’s pathos, humour, beauty and energy. A great variety of flute and whistle playing, singing and lilting from Colm O’Donnell with some wonderful accompaniment along the way. The CD is available all over the place but I got it from a great little company called CD Baby.

We finish with one of Colm’s own compositions – the heartfelt slow air An Tonn Amplach (The Hungry Sea) which, as mentioned above, is dedicated to the memory of three young Sligo lads who lost their lives off the coast of County Sligo in May, 1998.

Go raibh maith ‘ad Colm – thank you…
——-

Share This