Adrian Scahill

Adrian Scahill is a lecturer in traditional music at Maynooth University.

Finding a Distinctive Voice
Diarmuid Ó Meachair, recipient of the TG4 Gradam Ceoil Young Musician of the Year award last year, has recently released his debut album on Raelach Records. Adrian Scahill reviews.
An Exploratory Suite Inspired by Achill
The group Cuar, led by musician and composer Neil Ó Lochlainn, has recently released its second release, 'Umhaill', featuring Ultan O'Brien, Sam Comerford, Colm O'Hara and Pádraic Keane. Adrian Scahill reviews.
Between What Was and What Might Be
Singer and songwriter Paul Brady has recently published a memoir of his life in music, 'Crazy Dreams', which explores growing up in Strabane, the folk scene of the 60s and 70s, his seminal albums and songs, and recent projects. Adrian Scahill reviews.
Playing to His Strengths
Frankie Gavin's new solo album, 'Port Éireann', with Catherine McHugh on piano, contains classic traditional sets, a new composition, and a tribute to Joe Burke. Adrian Scahill reviews.
Delving Deep into the Tunes of Paddy Fahey
Galway fiddle players Liz and Yvonne Kane have recently released their fourth duet album together, 'In Memory of Paddy Fahey'. Adrian Scahill reviews.
Sean-nós on Its Own Terms
Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh, Ceara Conway and Inni-K have all recently released CDs that reimagine the performance of Irish sean-nós songs. Adrian Scahill reviews.
The Many Sides of Music and Song Collecting
The first book to discuss music on the Aran Islands, 'Collecting Music in the Aran Islands: A Century of History and Practice', has recently been published by Deirdre Ní Chonghaile. Adrian Scahill reviews.
Sketching the Lives of Forgotten Women Pipers
TG4 recently broadcast 'Mná na bPíob', a documentary in which musician Louise Mulcahy explores the lives of female uilleann pipers from the past. Adrian Scahill reviews.
A Distant and Different World
What was the sound world of Ireland like during the fractious 1500s? A recent album by the Irish Consort directed by Siobhán Armstrong, 'Music, Ireland and the Sixteenth Century', provides us with a range of musical insights. Adrian Scahill reviews.
Exploring Loss Under Lockdown
A new short film about the passing of the great fiddle-player Ben Lennon during lockdown last year, as narrated by his brother Charlie, was premiered at the Galway Film Fleadh. Adrian Scahill reviews.
Airs for an Ocean Under Duress
Máirtín O’Connor's new climate-emergency-inspired suite of music 'The Mighty Ocean' recently aired on TG4. Adrian Scahill reviews.
Tunes from Famine Times
Mick O’Brien, Emer Mayock and Aoife Ní Bhriain have just released a second album of tunes from the James Goodman manuscripts, a collection that was made around the time of the Great Famine. Adrian Scahill reviews.
The Interplay of Light and Dark
Eoghan Ó Ceannabháin and Ultan O’Brien's new traditional and experimental album probes the soundworld between voice, fiddle and viola. Adrian Scahill reviews.
Where It All Began
Andy Irvine has recently released 'Old Dog Long Road, Volume 1', a two-disc retrospective containing live and private recordings dating from 1961 to 2012. Adrian Scahill reviews.
Tracing the Influences
Dave Munnelly's album of newly composed music, 'Aonair', has a certain interiority, writes Adrian Scahill, and avoids explicit references to Irish dance forms.
Fired in the Crucible of Dance
Raelach Records' latest release, 'Dúchas', is from Clare button accordionist Damien O’Reilly. Adrian Scahill reviews.
The Gift of Music
Yvonne Casey's second solo fiddle album 'Croí' displays a very individual and developed style, writes Adrian Scahill.
Interweaving Lines
What is the common heritage between traditional Irish tunes and Baroque dances? Adrian Scahill reviews a new recording on the RTÉ Lyric FM label.
From Broken Dream to Musical Healing
Adrian Scahill reviews 'Aisling Ghéar', a stark and unflinching new documentary on the concertina player Noel Hill.
Composer's Style
Accordion player Johnny Óg Connolly's album of original compositions has a range of inspirations, from musician friends to classical traditions, writes Adrian Scahill.
Splendid Isolation
Caoimhín Vallely's new solo piano recording is an experimental unfolding of music, writes Adrian Scahill, expressing a sense of the inner world of the musician.
Raelach's Landscape of New Voices
Three recent recordings from Raelach Records reflect the diversity of the label's interests, writes Adrian Scahill.
The Piper's Story Over Three Centuries
Adrian Scahill reviews an ambitious new history of Irish uilleann piping written by Colin Harper with piper John McSherry.
Máirtín O’Connor, Cathal Hayden and Seamie O’Dowd
Máirtín O’Connor, Cathal Hayden and Seamie O’Dowd – Crossroads (MCSCD001)
Liam Kelly – Sweetwood
Liam Kelly – Sweetwood (Cló Iar-Chonnachta CICD 179)
CD Review: Liz Carroll and John Doyle – Double Play
Double Play / Compass Records 7 4502 2
CD Review: Charlie Lennon – Turning the Tune
Turning the Tune / Cló Iar-Chonnachta CICD 166
CD Review: Ceol agus Foinn – Music and Songs from the Willie Clancy Summer School
Ceol agus Foinn: Music and Songs from the Willie Clancy Summer SchoolRTÉ 280CDReleased to coincide with the thirty-fifth anniversary of the Willie Clancy Summer School, this generous double CD also celebrates Raidió na Gaeltachta’s...