The Corcomroe Céilí Band, c1960. Image via the Michael John Glynn Collection at Clare County Library
Barndances, hornpipes, jigs, reels and all manner of traditional music emanating from Co Clare is now available to browse online through the Music of Clare project, brought into being by Clare County Library with financial support from the Clare Arts Office.
The extensive catalogue of traditional Irish music – featuring Clare’s best-known trad musicians, such as Martin Hayes, Willie Clancy, Sharon Shannon and the Kilfenora Céilí Band – is available online through the Clare County Library website.
“The library service in Clare offers a wide range of music for lending throughout the county, and we have had a very strong traditional music collection in Miltown Malbay for many years,” explained Clare librarian Helen Walsh. “This new online project will allow immediate access to all those interested in the music of Co Clare, and will greatly enhance the existing historical and cultural resources on the library website itself.”
The site features sheet music alongside embedded Soundcloud players of traditional Irish songs. A collection of videos is also available, as well as artist biographies and links to more resources.
“We want members of the public to be able to listen to traditional tunes associated with Co Clare, played by musicians who are from the county or who have lived in it for many years,” said senior executive librarian Anthony Edwards, who initiated and now manages the project.
The site also features the Traditional Music of Clare Jukebox, which lets users listen to all of the tracks available on the site in sequence.
