ABOUT
Pádraig Mac Aodhgáin - Paddy egan
Tobar gan trá
Ar dTús | In the Beginning
Faoi Phádraig mac aodhgáin
about paddy egan
Pádraig Mac Aodhgáin: D’fhás mé aníos i mbaile fearainn darb ainm Droichead na Páirce i dtuisceart Chill Mhantáin, agus thosaigh mé ag ceol agus mé sé bliana d’aois. Ó thaobh mo mhuintir de, bhog mo shin-seanathair, Martin Egan, ó Chorcaigh go Cill Mhantáin céad bhliain ó shin agus is ann atá mo mhuintir inniu. Bhí muintir mo mháthair (na Réamonnaigh) i Loch Garman le fada an lá. Is cuimhin liom go maith mo sheanathair ag portaireacht, ag feadaíl, agus ag damhsa le linn m’óige. Chuaigh mé go ceachtanna in Each Dhroim, Mainistir Laoise agus go leor áiteanna eile. D’fhoghlaim mé an consairtín ó Larry Kinsella (suaimhneas síoraí dá anam uasal) ansin ar feadh deich mbliana, fear é a raibh an-tionchar aige ar mo chuid ceoil, agus a spreag ionspioráid agus spéis ionam i stair na hÉireann, a thug grá an cheoil dom agus go háirithe grá do gach uile nóta. D’fhorbair mo ghrá don teanga ó dhuine de na comharsana darbh ainm Delia Cumiskey (née Burke) (go ndéana Dia trócaire uirthi), bean álainn a bhog go Cill Mhantáin ó Ros Muc, Conamara, agus mo mhúinteoir bunscoile Margaret Grant ó Chúil Aodha. Ar an albam seo, tá turas saoil le clos, ó cheachtanna go comórtais, go ceol a tháinig de bharr taighde agus ceol a tháinig chugam le bannaí ceoil, agus spreagadh forleathan arna theacht chugam agus mé ag maireachtáil in Éirinn, i Sasana agus sna Stáit Aontaithe. Táim fíor-bhuíoch do gach uile duine a thug cabhair dom thar na mblianta.
Paddy Egan: Tobar Gan Trá (tub-er gon traw) is a constant well. I grew up in a townland in south County Wicklow called Parkbridge, and started my musical journey at the age of 6. I can remember well my grandfather who was always whistling, lilting tunes and dancing a step. I went for lessons all over, from Aughrim in Wicklow to Rathín near Abbeyleix. For a decade I learned from the great Wexford concertina player Larry Kinsella (RIP), who was a major inspiration in terms of Irish traditional music, Irish history, the love of tunes and the appreciation of every note. My love of the Irish language stems from neighbours in the area, in particular Delia Cumiskey (RIP), a native Irish speaker who hailed from Ros Muc, Connemara and my primary school teacher, Margaret Grant from Cúil Aodha, county Cork. Featured on this album is a musical journey, from tunes learned in lessons, to Fleadh Cheoil competition tunes, music that came from research in archives, to music from groups I have played in, and inspirations that I picked up while living in Ireland, England and the United States. Tobar Gan Trá could not have happened without the support of so many people.
Tobar gan trá
focail ó Karen Ryan
A few word from Karen ryan
Welcome to this wonderful window on Paddy Egan’s musical journey so far… presenting music from his Wicklow childhood, his travels throughout Ireland, the US, England and his current abode in Cork. Paddy’s concertina style is inherently laid back, with a tasteful ‘less is more’ approach to ornamentation, chords and beautifully drawn-out notes in all the right places. In contrast, some more fiery tracks on this album showcase the heights of his technical dexterity, still played with great musical heart, making complex pieces like ‘The Iron Man’ resonate exquisitely! This album sounds fresh, not quite like any that have come before. It features a mix of well sourced music (predominantly traditional Irish with the occasional foray into wider territory) and a host of fine guests providing gorgeously subtle accompaniment and melodic partnership on duet and trio tracks. It’s a recording that will reward with repeated listening. Nár laga Dia thú Paddy – Brilliant stuff! ~ Karen Ryan