Ceol na nOileán This series of four programmes explores the rich musical culture of Ireland’s islands. The islands featured are: Rathlin, Aranmore, Clare and Turk and Cape Clear. Each programme gives an insight into the musical tradition of the various islands, how it has evolved over the years and the strength of that tradition at present. Images of the islands’ unique environment enhance the sentiment of the music and songs, and provide an effective and dramatic, context. As well as contributions from musicians, singers and dancers native to the various islands, the programmes feature people with particular interest in and knowledge of the musical tradition of the islands. Archive material of various kinds is a feature in each programme. Among the participants are Mary, Francis and Michael Black, Sorcha Nic Lochlainn, ( Rathlin); musicians and singers fom Cape Clear including Máire Ní Laoire, Tadhg and Emer Ó Drisceoil and Fiachra and Róisín Ó Tórna, Jesse Smith and Fiona Nic Gloinn, The Aranmore Pipe Band, Proinsias Mac a’Bhaird, (Arainn Mhór); Billy Gallagher, the O’ Toole family, Niall Mc Cabe, Patrick O Toole, ( Clare and Turk). Produced and directed by Mairín Seoighe, Scannáin Dobharchú. Ceol na nOileán Sraith de cheithre chlár a thugann léargas ar an gcultúr saibhir dúchasach a bhaineann le hoileáin na hÉireann ó thaobh thraidisiún an cheoil, na hamhránaíochta agus an damhsa de. Is iad na hoileáin atá i gceist ná Reachrainn, Oileán Chléire, Árainn Mhór, Oileán Cliara agus Inis Tuirc. Tugann gach clár léargas ar an stair a bhaineann le traidisiún ceoil agus siamsaíochta an oileáin sin, an chaoi a d’fhorbair sé i rith na mblianta agus an staid ina bhfuil sé inniu. Tá an tírdreach sonrach a bhaineann le gach oileán mar eilimint ghníomhach i ngach clár agus taispeántar íomhanna tarraingteacha ó thimpeallacht an oileáin le cur le mothúcháin an phíosa ceoil nó an amhráin atá faoi chaibidil. Chomh maith leis na ceoltóirí, amhránaithe agus damhsóirí, déanann beirt nó triúr saineolaí cur síos ar scéal an cheoil i ngach oileán faoi leith. Baintear úsáid as ábhar cartlainne idir físe agus fuaime maraon le sean-ghriangraifeanna. I measc na rannpháirtithe atá sa tsraith tá Mary, Frances agus Michael Black, Sorcha Nic Lochlainn, (Reachrainn); Máire Ní Laoire, Tadhg agus Emer Ó Drisceoil agus Róisín Ó Tórna (Cléire), Jesse Smith agus Fiona Nic Gloinn, Banna Píb Árainn Mhór, Proinsias Mac a Bhaird,(Arainn Mhór); Billy Gallagher, clann Ui Thuathail, Niall Mc Cabe, Patrick O Toole;(Cliara agus Tuirc) Léiriú agus stiúriú – Mairín Seoighe Scannáin Dobharchú. Programme & transmission times: Ceol na nOileán Rathlin 25/9/11 @ 22.00 & 30/9/11 @20.30: features performances from Mary, Frances and Michael Black and younger members of the Black Family, as well as local singers Teresa Mc Faul and John Mc Curdy . Sorcha Nic Lochlainn and Gusty Mc Curdy explore the musical tradition of this well-known island and the influence its close connection with Scotland had on that tradition. Ceol na nOileán Cape Clear - 2/10/11 @ 22.00 & 7/10/11 @20.30: explores the music,song and dance tradition of the Cork island. Musicians featured include Tadhg and Emer Ó Drisceoil, Máire Proinsias Ní Choitir, Fiachra and Róisín Ó Tórna and the Mary Tisdall Group. Gearóidín Ní Dhonnabháin and singer Máire Ní Laoire and speak of the important role music played in their lives while growing up on the island. Ceol na nOileán Árainn Mhór - 9/10/11 @ 22.00 & 14/10/11 @ 20.30: features the vibrant tradition of music, song and dance of the Donegal island. It includes performances from Jesse Smith and Fiona Nic Gloinn, traditional singers Anna Ní Ghallchóir and Aoife Nic Gloinn, the Aranmore Pipe Band, and dancer Darren Ó Dónaill. The musical heritage of Róise Rua is explored as well as the influence of tragedies and emigration on the island’s repertoire. Ceol na nOileán Clare and Turk - 16/10/11 @ 22.00 &21/10/11 @ 20.30: The strong musical tradition of two Mayo islands is explored in this programme. It features the box playing of Clare island locals Billy Gallagher and Micheal Mc Namara and the O’Toole family, Inis Turk. Myles Ruddy, Patrick O Toole and Anne O Toole demonstrate the rich singing tradition of both islands with Neil Mc Cabe representing the younger generation. The Clare island half set is also featured.