Episode 4: Mary MacNamara & Eileen O'Brien (Fiddle, concertina, lilting)

"Nobody listens! Nobody. They think they're listening, but they're not actually listening."

Recorded live at the National Celtic Festival in Portarlington, two of Irelands greatest traditional players share their love of the music, teaching and the art of listening.

Joining Mary and Eileen on guitar is previous guest of the show, Gerry Mc Keague. Gerry, actually just came along to listen but when asked by Mary and Eileen to join in, he jumped at the chance. What a legend.

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Mary and Eileen played a selection of tunes, a couple of which we didn't catch the names of. I mean, it was a festival weekend after all...

So the first set of tunes we don't have names for.

Eileen lilts, The Wise Maid.

The second set: the first one I don't know, the second is Dan Breen's

Third set: The Coming of Spring and The Battering Ram

And the last set is Joe Bane's and The Green Gowned Lass

Links and extras:

Thoughts on the origins of East Clare music:
http://www.marymacnamara.net/marys_view.html

Here's a great selection of tunes played by Eileen O'Brien's father, Paddy O'Brien.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yqOdBdSNl0A&t=125s

From 1981, here's Mary MacNamara and Martin Hayes playing John Nauyghton's Reel and Tommy Coen's Reel.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1F1_0r8a0Og

Also if you'd like to know more about Eileen's father, there's a great resourse here: http://www.paddyobrienbook.com/?fbclid=IwAR3OkdxcYh3E1y3hd8bSPTfLlz614CtP0tDRkY5m7V8XjHLbTy6lcdOLMa0

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Thanks so much to Mary, Eileen and Gerry for your time. We absolutely loved this chat.

Also, a big thank you to Una McAlinden and the National Celtic Festival Australia Official for all your support and inviting us to record at your amazing festival.

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You can find Mary here:
http://www.marymacnamara.net/
https://www.facebook.com/mary.macnamara.376

And you can find Eileen here:
https://www.facebook.com/eileen.obrien.165

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Om Podcasten

The Blarney Pilgrims Podcast is a weekly journey to the heart of Irish music. We interview players of Irish music about how they first came to the music and the place it occupies in their lives now. We use the word ‘heart’ intentionally, because heart is what this music, and the people who play it, are all about. It’s a funny, warm and often unexpected journey – and the tunes are crackin' too. NOTE: Hey there - it's Darren and Dom here. So...we want to let you know that last week was the last episode (Ep 94) of the Blarney Pilgrims Podcast for now. We've come to a point where we've both decided to take a long pause and focus on a few other things. Knowing how much the podcast means to you all, it's a decision we've been really reluctant to take. What we DO know is how massively grateful we are for every text, every thumbs up, every raised eyebrow of support we've had over the past two years. You are all legends, and we're forever in your debt. Thanks especially to everyone who's become a Patron Saint and supported us through the toughest of economic times, and thanks most especially to the musicians. To those who have been so generous to share their tunes and stories with us, and to those who've welcomed us into pub sessions and festival gatherings and house sessions and campsite sessions. Wherever in the world we've chatted with players of the music, we've been made to feel like lifelong pals. It's a testament to the open heartedness of the communities who keep the music going wherever they are, and we can't thank you all enough. We hope this archive will remain of use to people even as we're taking a pause. So - please do stay in touch, don't be a stranger, and if you see us out and about, do say hello. And we'll see you when we see you. Dom and Darren.