The Music

1. Live Performances

I am playing regularly in Galway, Dublin, mainland Europe and my home in Oughterard, Connemara (the mad Western tip of the European Peninsula). Some of these are solo gigs which comprise a mix of traditional Irish music played on banjo and guitar and some contemporary folk classics. Many of these gigs are with some great local musicians.

Frank in Breathnach’s in Oughterard, 2007
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2. The Eva Gore-Boothe Project

Some great poetry like Kavanagh’s Raglan Road have been set to music with great success. But not so the work of Eva Selina Laura Gore-Booth. Eva was an Irish poet and dramatist, and a committed suffragist, social worker and labour activist. Born at Lissadell House, County Sligo, both she and her sister, Constance, Countess Markiewicz, reacted against their privileged background and devoted themselves to helping the poor and disadvantaged.

Eva’s poetry has been overshadowed by her other achievements. I am trying to change this by putting her poetry to music. The main obstacles to be overcome are finding the voice of her time and her gentle yet steely soul. I suppose the most chilling part of it was when I completed, The Little Wavres of Breifny, and wrote on the top of the music sheet, Gore-Boothe/Gannon. I almost felt her hand on my shoulder. At the end of the year, I plan to release a CD of her poetry set to music … if she lets me!

Eva here (left) with her sister Constance

3. Inis Oirr

This is the smallest of the Aran Islands which form a gateway protecting Galway from the Atlantic Ocean. The stark beauty, history and culture of the island are a provocative inspiration to me. I have felt the spirit of this wondrous place whispering to me in the quiet moments. And I have heard the sound of the waves, the wind and the voices of those long-gone before. I am creating a piece of music that that I hope will do honour to these voices.

Inis Oirr from the sky

4. Ogma

Ogma (or Oghma) is a character from Irish mythology. A member of the Tuatha Dé Danann. He is often considered a deity and may be related to the Gaulish god Ogmios.

But more recently, OGMA is myself on guitar, banjo and vocals, Mike O’Connor on concertina, whistle and vocals & Dessie O’Sionnain on uileann pipes, whistle, banjo, bodhran and vocals. We play regularly in Galway and Connemara.

Des, Mike and Frank