2008 Woodie Awards
Bringing Valley a Little Closer to Ireland
Maggie Ownbey
Issue date: 4/27/05 Section: Valley Life
- Page 1 of 1
The words, music and traditions of Ireland filled Valley College's Music Recital Hall Saturday night, leaving audience members wondering if they were in Dublin itself.
"I've been to Ireland many times," said John Derrig, who came to hear cousin Kathleen Keane on the violin. "It's like being back in Dublin."
Sherman Oaks-based Kerry Records brought the four-part concert series to Valley. Owner Margaret O' Carroll, a native of Tralee, Ireland, works with dedicated artists to preserve the country's music and spoken
arts.
"It's organic. I refuse to disconnect from the soul," said O'Carroll of the history that each artist brings to the stage.
They are carrying on a cherished tradition that the Irish almost lost decades ago when their language was banned by the occupying British along with traditional music and dance, forcing musicians and story tellers to gather in secret on the emerald isle of Seisiun.
"Beautiful music and words were forbidden in Ireland. The people hid and spoke behind stone walls," said O'Carroll.
The talents of Ken O'Malley, Kathleen Keane and Maria Butterly, along with Patrick D'Arcy, Joey Abarta, Redmond Gleeson and Thomas MacGreevy brought back those words and music with laughter, tears and
pride.
With some lively reels by the Los Angeles Irish Set Dancers, the evening featured an immigrant's tale told through letters sent home, a fine reciting of James Joyce's by Gleeson, a tap and a fiddle number by Keane and the sound of Butterly's four-to-five octave voice reaching to the heavens.
Great music came from D'Arcy on the uilleann pipes and whistles, accompanied with solid beats on the bodhram by Abarta, the youngest of the group.
"He's 12," joked O'Malley.
"I'm 19, I'll be 20 in September," Abarta quickly rebutted.
O'Malley sang the Gaelic song "Ore se do Breath Abhaile," - "Welcome Home" - about the pirate queen Grace O'Malley.
O'Carroll is credited by critics for giving a home to these talented performers.
"I want to give them an incredible platform where they belong," she said.
Joined by a five-piece band, Butterly will grace the Music Recital Hall stage next Saturday, April 30 in the second concert of the four-part music series. In 2003 Butterly and her band took home the New York International Film and Music Festival's Best Folk Band Award.
 Media Credit: Dan Villasenor DAN VILLASENOR / VALLEY STAR WORDS AT TROY - The five piece Irish music group composed of performers from Kerry Records dazzled the audience at Valley´s Music Recital Hall Saturday night. (L-R) Kathleen Keane, Joey Abarta, Patrick D´Arcy, Maria Butterly and Ken O´Malley. |
"I've been to Ireland many times," said John Derrig, who came to hear cousin Kathleen Keane on the violin. "It's like being back in Dublin."
Sherman Oaks-based Kerry Records brought the four-part concert series to Valley. Owner Margaret O' Carroll, a native of Tralee, Ireland, works with dedicated artists to preserve the country's music and spoken
arts.
"It's organic. I refuse to disconnect from the soul," said O'Carroll of the history that each artist brings to the stage.
 Media Credit: Dan Villasenor DAN VILLASENOR / VALLEY STAR |
They are carrying on a cherished tradition that the Irish almost lost decades ago when their language was banned by the occupying British along with traditional music and dance, forcing musicians and story tellers to gather in secret on the emerald isle of Seisiun.
"Beautiful music and words were forbidden in Ireland. The people hid and spoke behind stone walls," said O'Carroll.
The talents of Ken O'Malley, Kathleen Keane and Maria Butterly, along with Patrick D'Arcy, Joey Abarta, Redmond Gleeson and Thomas MacGreevy brought back those words and music with laughter, tears and
pride.
With some lively reels by the Los Angeles Irish Set Dancers, the evening featured an immigrant's tale told through letters sent home, a fine reciting of James Joyce's by Gleeson, a tap and a fiddle number by Keane and the sound of Butterly's four-to-five octave voice reaching to the heavens.
Great music came from D'Arcy on the uilleann pipes and whistles, accompanied with solid beats on the bodhram by Abarta, the youngest of the group.
"He's 12," joked O'Malley.
"I'm 19, I'll be 20 in September," Abarta quickly rebutted.
O'Malley sang the Gaelic song "Ore se do Breath Abhaile," - "Welcome Home" - about the pirate queen Grace O'Malley.
O'Carroll is credited by critics for giving a home to these talented performers.
"I want to give them an incredible platform where they belong," she said.
Joined by a five-piece band, Butterly will grace the Music Recital Hall stage next Saturday, April 30 in the second concert of the four-part music series. In 2003 Butterly and her band took home the New York International Film and Music Festival's Best Folk Band Award.
