A new book and accompanying CD by Antóin Mac Gabhann about the music and dance culture in Mullahoran was launched last night. The compilation covers a 100 year rich tapestry of traditional song and dance which continues to hold firm to this day in the Co Cavan village.
Speaking to Northern Sound, Antóin - who is a renowned fiddle player - says his musical influences came from his mother when he was growing up. He told how he went to the homes of well-known musicians and singers in and around Mullahoran in the 1970s and recorded their conversations and tunes.
Antóin says that a lot of research went into the book and it took him years to bring it to fruition. "Way back in the 60s there was a practice where people would make a tape and send it out to their people in New York. You would have the messages on it and the neighbours would sing a song or play a tune.
"I have two of these big old reels - one that was made in Danny 'The Gunner' Brady's and sent out to New York to the family there. Another one was made in our own house in the mid 1960s and set out to my brother Hughie in New York," he added.
