An Draíocht
An Draíocht - the music of Sliabh Luachra
In an effort to immerse himself in the music of Sliabh Luachra producer Paul McDermott goes on a quest to track down seven Irish trad vinyl records. He is assisted by Eoin Stan O’Sullivan, Sliabh Luachra musician in residence. Together they travel to Cork and Kerry visiting villages and townlands surrounding the River Blackwater trying to describe the magic of this music and its origins in the “rushy mountain”. Along the way we hear stories of the Sliabh Luachra masters and meet musicians young and old. As the quest climaxes, the realisation dawns that the producer’s embrace of this tradition’s past is only matched by O’Sullivan’s compulsion to safeguard its future.
First broadcast on RTÉ Lyric fm at 6pm Sunday 12 March, 2023.
Credits:
Presenter/Producer: Paul McDermott
Producer for RTÉ Lyric FM: Eoin O Kelly
A Learn & Sing production for RTÉ Lyric FM, funded by the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland from the Television Licence Fee.
The interview with Paddy Jones was recorded by Ailbhe Keogan and Michael Kelly, used with permission.
Paddy Jones sadly passed away on 30th May 2020.
Reviews
Mick Heaney – The Irish Times
“Music is at the heart of The Lyric Feature: An Draíocht. Producer and narrator Paul McDermott recounts how he became so entranced by the distinctive folk music of Sliabh Luachra that he embarked on a quest to buy a complete set of albums by musicians from the region. In the age of Amazon, where purchases are a mere click away, this might not sound like the basis for an hour-long documentary. But McDermott’s particular quarry is a series of elusive vinyl LPs released in the 1970s on a long-defunct label, the search for which he describes with palpable relish.
Moreover, the programme doesn’t solely focus on the twilight world of record fairs and vintage shops, much as this might appeal to zealous vinyl junkies. Rather, it’s an account of how a piece of art can open up a whole new world. McDermott describes how he first came across the trad sounds of sibling fiddlers Denis Murphy and Julia Clifford on an album called The Star above the Garter, sparking his hunt for the obscure live recordings made by musicians from the locality.
The engagingly meandering quest that follows is as much temporal, historical and even spiritual as it is physical, with diversions into everything from the flying columns during the War of Independence and the geography of Sliabh Luachra to the 1990s indie scene in Cork city. Above all, McDermott seeks to discover the peculiar magic – an draíocht – evoked by the hypnotically raw music captured on the LPs he so craves. Ultimately, the specialist premise serves as a starting point to take the listener on an idiosyncratic but fascinating journey: it’s one of those rare occasions where the overused J-word seems appropriate. An Draíocht is an evocative reminder of the magical role music can play in our lives.”
Declan Lynch – Sunday Independent
“An Draíocht is a Lyric Feature made by Paul McDermott - a powerful piece on the music of Sliabh Luachra."
Paul McDermott and Eoin Stan O'Sullivan (Knocknaboul Cross). Photograph by Paul McDermott
The Paps of Anu. Photograph by Paul McDermott.
Paul McDermott and Eoin Stan O'Sullivan (Men of the South by Seán Keating - Crawford Gallery). Photograph by Kayleigh Milner.
Pádraig O'Keefe plaque (Glountane Cross). Photograph by Paul McDermott.
Pádraig O'Keefe's house (Glountane Cross). Photograph by Paul McDermott.
Star Above the Garter (Claddagh Records, 1969) and Music From Sliabh Luachra Volumes 1-6 (Topic Records, 1977). Photograph by Paul McDermott.
The Star Above the Garter - Denis Murphy and Julia Clifford (Claddagh Records, 1969).
Kerry Fiddles (Music From Sliabh Luachra Vol. 1) - Pádraig O'Keefe, Denis Murphy and Julia Clifford (Topic Records, 1977).
The Star of Munster Trio (Music From Sliabh Luachra Vol. 2) - John, Julia and Billy Clifford (Topic Records, 1977).
The Humours of Lisheen (Music From Sliabh Luachra Vol. 3) - John and Julia Clifford (Topic Records, 1977).
Irish Traditional Flute Solos and Band Music From Kerry and Tipperary (Music From Sliabh Luachra Vol. 4) - Billy Clifford (Topic Records, 1977).
Music For the Set (Music From Sliabh Luachra Vol. 5) - Johnny O'Leary (Topic Records, 1977).
Jackie Daly (Music From Sliabh Luachra Vol. 6) (Topic Records, 1977).