Review: 'Folk Music &Dance of Ireland by Breadan Breathnach'

by Aidan O'Hara

Book, cassette &CD (OSS CD03), Ossian Publications

The combination of book and cassette/CD is potentially a good idea. However, when the blurb on the back cover of this publication says that it is, "A study of the history, development and present condition of Irish traditional music, song and dance," that means we should be brought right up to date - 1996. However, that is not the case.

Breandan Breathnach's book was first published by the Talbot Press in 1971 , and it dealt with the structure of Irish music, the songs and dances, the dancing masters, and with musical instruments. However, the latest work listed in the revised bibliography is for 1977. So much for the 'present condition of Irish traditional music'.

On the CD, seven performers provide a total of twenty pieces (three songs, the rest tunes): Sean 'ac Donncha from Connemara; John Reilly , a traveller; Michael Tubridy and John Kelly from Clare; Sean Keane and Pat Mitchell from Dublin.

It is most disappointing to find glaring errors on the CD credits for the musicians. In the otherwise excellent liner notes we are told that on the CD the Sean Nos singer, Sean 'ac Donncha, represents the old style, singing in both Irish and English. There is no song by him in English on this CD. And worst still - the three fiddle pieces and the one concertina piece by John Kelly are credited to John Reilly, a singer.

The information on the back of the CD cover starts to list the names of the seven musicians but for whatever reason stops after two names and a comma: "... Sean 'ac Donncha, John Reilly."

Why people go to the bother and expense of issuing such a useful book and CD, and then forget to check it for mistakes, is very puzzling indeed.

That said, I recommend the book (a paperback, IR£6.99), to anyone interested in learning about the history and development of Irish music.