In 1949 Séamus Ennis was working for Radio Éireann making field recordings of traditional musicians and singers. He recorded a number of Sliabh Luachra musicians and singers at the family farm of the Cronins of Ballymakeery. Two of Ennis’ key informants in the area were the brothers Sean and Denis Cronin, sons of the renowned singer Elizabeth Cronin. Paddy Cronin (no relation) was one such performer invited to record. It was a long bicycle ride from Ré Buí to Ballymakeery, and a long ride back. It’s said that Paddy never heard these recordings broadcast as he emigrated to America soon after. These tracks document his playing in his “purest” Sliabh Luachra style. He sounds very much like his neighbor Denis Murphy here, especially in the reel playing. Contrast with his recordings made after he arrived in America and began to incorporate the Sligo style which was prevalent among his peers there.
RTÉ has recently digitized and published a vast trove of these early acetate recordings. In addition to Paddy Cronin, you will find many of the famous early recordings of Pádraig O’Keeffe and Denis Murphy that later appeared on LPs. You will also find some lesser-known singers and musicians from the locality, as well as local poets and historians. Listen here.
SAMPLE: Paddy tears through two reels: The Dairymaid and The Morning Star:
The Music of Sliabh Luachra 