Musical icon celebrated in new podcast series

Traditional music has always kept abreast of developments and the latest venture by the Cavan Nyah Irish Music group is a case in point. The Nyah group held their 2020 September concert of traditional Irish music through film and streaming this year, in an innovative departure responding to the public health crisis.

Out of that has grown the a podcast researched and presented by Martin Donohoe. Recorded in various locations around Ireland in 2020 this podcast is available on social media platforms including Fleadh Uladh's and the County Cavan Nyah Facebook and Instagram pages.

The Nyah group has worked with James Clarke Radio Producer from Longford to deliver audio highlights from all over Ireland.

One of the first is a tribute to Margaret O'Reilly The Queen of ballads. This podcast special with Martin Donohoe tracks the career of the musical icon.

Margaret O‘Reilly from Loch Gowna, was the proud holder of nine All Ireland titles for traditional ballad singing and won county titles at Fleadh Ceoils in different parts of the country. Margaret’s favourite song was “The Gallant John Joe”, which she sang many times at local concerts in Ireland, Scotland and England.

Margaret once entered a “Spot the Talent Competition” in Dublin where she sang the ballad about Charles Stewart Parnell “Blackbird From Sweet Avondale”.

This lead to a meeting with Jack Farmer, a record producer, and resulted in Margaret recording “ My Gentle Mother” , “ Sons of Gratitude”, “Lough Sheelin Side”, “ My Father’s Garden” and “The Blind Child”. These records sold well and were played many times on radio. Margaret also featured on several RTE Irish Music Programmes including “The Long Note”.

You can listen to the podcast on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ie/podcast/martins-rambles/id1533431223?i=1000496056423

NYAH funding agencies include the Arts Council / An Comhairle Ealaíon, The Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht ,Cavan Co Council Arts Office & Comhaltas.