Celebrating 1916 at Tradfest

Music lovers will enjoy two unique concerts this weekend as acclaimed singer, writer and arranger Lorcán Mac Mathúna gives 1916 - Visionaries and their Words its inaugural performance.

The concerts will feature a cycle of songs inspired by the ideals of the leaders of the Easter Rising, written and performed by Mac Mathúna. Drawing from the writings of Pearse, Connolly, Plunkett and others, the artist will explore the vision of the revolutionaries and its contemporary resonance.

The project was one of just nine to win an Arts Council ‘Open Call’ National Project Award in ART:2016, the Arts Council’s programme as part of the Ireland 2016, and is the first of these to be presented to an audience.

Arts Council Director Orlaith McBride said: “We are excited to support this important project. Given the role of artists in the events of 1916 it is appropriate and illuminating for the arts to be an integral part of the national programme.”

The concerts will take place in St Michan’s Church, Dublin, at 1pm on Saturday (30 January) and at 8pm on Sunday (31 January).

Speaking this week, Mac Mathúna promised to uncover for audiences the “Sean-nós of Pearse, the perfect meter of Plunkett, and the balladry of Connolly”.

“The craft of Plunkett was a revelation for me. Paradoxically, for a poet who deals in obscurity, his imagery is beautifully clear; and he is a master of meter. For me these things inspired very clear musical ideas. His sonnet 'Daybreak' for instance, with its regular counterpoint, inspired a raucous syncopation in our interpretation,” he said.

'I am hoping that people will come away from this show with a fresh appreciation for the creative minds and clear writing of the leaders of the Rising,' Mac Mathúna added.

He will be joined by Íde Nic Mhathúna (voice), Martin Tourish (accordion), Daire Bracken (fiddle, guitar), Eamonn Galdubh (uilleann pipes, flute, saxophone) and Elaine O'Dea (spoken word).

After this weekend, the concert will be performed in a number of venues in Ireland, starting with Derry’s Cultúrlann Uí Chanáin next Tuesday (2 February) at 7.30pm.