Episode 4: Mary MacNamara & Eileen O'Brien (Fiddle, concertina, lilting)

"Nobody listens! Nobody. They think they're listening, but they're not actually listening."

Recorded live at the National Celtic Festival in Portarlington, two of Irelands greatest traditional players share their love of the music, teaching and the art of listening.

Joining Mary and Eileen on guitar is previous guest of the show, Gerry Mc Keague. Gerry, actually just came along to listen but when asked by Mary and Eileen to join in, he jumped at the chance. What a legend.

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Mary and Eileen played a selection of tunes, a couple of which we didn't catch the names of. I mean, it was a festival weekend after all...

So the first set of tunes we don't have names for.

Eileen lilts, The Wise Maid.

The second set: the first one I don't know, the second is Dan Breen's

Third set: The Coming of Spring and The Battering Ram

And the last set is Joe Bane's and The Green Gowned Lass

Links and extras:

Thoughts on the origins of East Clare music:
http://www.marymacnamara.net/marys_view.html

Here's a great selection of tunes played by Eileen O'Brien's father, Paddy O'Brien.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yqOdBdSNl0A&t=125s

From 1981, here's Mary MacNamara and Martin Hayes playing John Nauyghton's Reel and Tommy Coen's Reel.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1F1_0r8a0Og

Also if you'd like to know more about Eileen's father, there's a great resourse here: http://www.paddyobrienbook.com/?fbclid=IwAR3OkdxcYh3E1y3hd8bSPTfLlz614CtP0tDRkY5m7V8XjHLbTy6lcdOLMa0

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Thanks so much to Mary, Eileen and Gerry for your time. We absolutely loved this chat.

Also, a big thank you to Una McAlinden and the National Celtic Festival Australia Official for all your support and inviting us to record at your amazing festival.

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You can find Mary here:
http://www.marymacnamara.net/
https://www.facebook.com/mary.macnamara.376

And you can find Eileen here:
https://www.facebook.com/eileen.obrien.165

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