Ar Scáth An Cheoil - Season 1

Traditional and folk music series combining the most significant music archive recorded over the last 50 years with enlightening chat and music performances from top artists from across Ireland and beyond.

From various beautiful locations and settings, we hear musicians chatting about their musical influences and how they are constantly looking back to the roots of the music, developing their own musical story, but also constantly ensuring that the tradition evolves and survives.

In this episode, we see Zoe Conway and Jim McKillop join forces on fiddles, Neil Martin chats about his friendship and musical connection with Eithne Ní Uallacháin and Gerry O' Connor, and we hear a beautiful collaboration and chat between Liam Ó Maonlaí and Megan Nic Ruairí. Diane Cannon talks about the significance Margaret Barry had on her own musical journey, and Edel Ní Churraoin celebrates the music of legendary Galway melodeon player Johnny Connolly.

In this episode, we hear music from Moya Brennan and Emma Ní Fhíoruisce, Conor Caldwell describes the importance of undiscovered Johnny Doherty footage to his own musical journey, Miadhachlughain O'Donnnell chats about Belfast band Tamalin, and Fintan Vallely and Brian Finnegan look back at the Bunting Traditional Music Festival. Meanwhile, Caitlín Nic Gabhann describes the energetic archive footage of the Mullagh dancers of County Clare.

This week, we hear energetic fiddle music from Cathal Hayden and Méabh Smyth, and Eoghan Ó Ceannabháin discusses the importance of the sean-nós singer Darach Ó Catháin. Scottish bagpipe player Brìghde Chaimbeul describes how Irish traditional music played an important role in her musical journey. Frances Black and her daughter Aoife Scott chat about the Black family musical legacy, and Ciaran Kelly describes the influence of maestro fiddle player Frankie Gavin on his own music journey during the late 70s.

In the final episode of the series, we hear music and chat from two legends of the tradition - Dónal Lunny and Andy Irvine. Caoimhe Ní Chathail discusses how strong female singers had a resounding impact on her singing as a young teenager, Barry Kerr explains the importance of receiving the Liam O' Flynn Bursary, and Róisín Chambers discusses her own musical influences growing up in Dublin.