Kilcullen links up to Cleggan Bay Disaster

The loss of 73 fishermen from Cleggan, Rossadilisk, Inisboffin and other parts of Mayo in a storm in 1927 is recalled in the title of a new CD from Fleadh, the Germany based traditional band fronted by Kilcullen's Paul Durney, aka Saoirse Mhór, writes Brian Byrne.

In addition to Saoirse's own compositions such as Hill of Plenty, The Cleggan Bay Disaster, Row Home, The Curragh Song and the Balld of John B Whistling, there are covers of Van Morrison's Moondance and Luka Bloom's Eastbound Train.

There are also a number of traditional and modern instrumental tracks from the group, which uses guitar, baas, fiddle, banjo, mandolin, harmonica, uileann pipes, the low whistle, a bodhran and a cello in the instruments lineup.

Fleadh is made up by Saoirse Mhór, Tommy Gorny, Marcus Eichenlaub, Frank Durschner and Frank Weber, and guest musicians on this CD are Uli Schmidt and Isabel Eichenlaub.

The band will officially release 'The Cleggan Bay Disaster' with a Concert in Oliver's Seafood Bar and Restaurant, Cleggan, Co Galway, on January 21.

For all those interested in traditional brought modern, with an intriguing continental twist, this is a well worthwhile acquisition. You can get details of how to buy it at fleadh.de. I have been writing this to the background of the album, and plan to add a song or two from it to my own repertoire.