Arts Week with Judy Murphy

The Kings of Connaught and some of their musical friends will be in Tuam’s Mall Theatre on Friday, December 23, for a special concert in aid of local charities, Pieta House and Jigsaw. The Moylough-based folk and ballad group began life in 2012 when its six members were in Transition Year at school.

And, beyond taking part in a school talent show at Holy Rosary College, Mountbellew, the teenagers had no long-term plans, according to Thomas Ryan who plays guitar and whistle with the band.

At least, initially – but then they began to attract fans.

From the beginning, they were inspired by artists such as Luke Kelly and The Dubliners, The Clancy Brothers, The High Kings, and The Furey Brothers and Davey Arthur. That grá for Irish music reflected the strong trad and folk tradition in the area, says Thomas.

Between them, they played a broad range of instruments, including banjo – five string, tenor and long-neck – guitar, mandolin, guitar and accordion – button and piano – with three of the six also on singing duties. These talented young lads soon developed their own style of instrumentation and ornamentation.

Their first ‘formal’ gig was at a community fundraising event, playing to some 50 people. After that, they began to perform in pubs and clubs around Galway and, as their reputation grew, they started playing larger venues, locally and countrywide.

Along the way, they collaborated and played with well-known figures on the Irish music scene, including the Wolfe Tones, Leo Moran of The Saw Doctors, Norman and Louise Morrissey, and Seán Keane.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.

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