Dhá Lon Promotions

Dhá Lon Promotions

Welcome to Dhá Lon Promotions homepage. The name Dhá Lon comes from an old Irish place name in Co. Roscommon, Lisdhálon, meaning the Fort of the Two Blackbirds. (Lis = Fort; Dhá = Two; Lon = Blackbird, the male of the species, Londubh being the female).

This page is dedicated to the promotion of Traditional Singing and Music events in South Roscommon, Ireland. It will bring you news of Concerts, Pub Sessions and other related events. It will keep you up to date with C.D. releases and information on bands and artists from the region.

For information on all features, E-mail: Dha Lon Promotions

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“…the lilting sons of country folk…”

by Declan Coyne.

“…the lilting sons of country folk…” is a new 224 page book, which records the lives, and more importantly the existence, of the traditional musicians and singers of the mid and south Roscommon region, past and present (mid 1800s – 2000). There are detailed profiles of many of the great performers from the past, while many more are remembered by way of stories relating to their lives, and many, many more are remembered in passing. There are profiles and accounts too of the stars of today and the many young stars of the future.

“…the lilting sons of country folk…” also contains a ballad section, with 31 ballads that originated in, or are associated with the region. There are accounts of the composers, where known, and complete backgrounds to the ballads themselves. These ballads date from as early as 1803 to the present day.

“…the lilting sons of country folk…” contains accounts and documentation relating to music events of the past, plus an update on what’s happening today, including a guide to the best ‘sessions’ in the region. There are also dozens of photographs, most of which have never been published before.

“…the lilting sons of country folk…” will be launched by Patsy Hanly in ‘The Widow Pats’, Knockcroghery on Friday the 8^th September 2000. Patsy who hails from Kilroosky, Roscommon, is one of the most respected and highly rated flute players of today. It is a great honour indeed for the author to have Patsy accept the invitation to perform the Official Launch.

“…the lilting sons of country folk…”

is published by Dhá Lon Promotions.

For details on pricing and delivery please contact Declan here.

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What Will We Do?

South Roscommon Singers Circle.

The South Roscommon Singers Circle was set up in 1993 with a view to creating an opportunity for the many singers in the region to perform in public on a regular basis.

The circle meets, usually, on the 4^th Saturday of the month, September to May, though this may change from time to time to facilitate Special Guests. Sessions take place in Murray’s Bar in Knockcroghery. Listeners, Singers and songs from all traditions and backgrounds are welcome, provided they observe our golden rule, i.e. “Ciunas for the singer and respect for the song”. At the end of 1998 ‘The Circle’ produced it’s first C.D. entitled ‘What Will We Do?’ This 20 track C.D. represents a fair cross-section of the kind of material you are likely to hear at one of our sessions. See details and sample reviews below.

Track No.	Artist:	Song Title:
1	Aileen O’Connor	Pleasant and Delightful
2	Cierán ÓCuinneagáin	The Boatman of Lough Key
3	Valerie Seal	After Aughrim’s Great Disaster
4	Cathy Gunning	Ballyneety’s Walls
5	Johnny Johnston	The Grey Lake of Loughrea
6	Baby Sham	Fanba
7	Josephine Boland	The Banks of the Moy
8	Larry Kilcommins	Roscommon of My Dreams
9	Brenda Weir	Carrig Rua
10	Martin Ryan	Ten Young Women and One Young Man
11	Baby Sham	Stome
12	Christina Pierse	The Greyhound
13	Liam ÓCuinneagáin	Sadhbh Ní Mhuinghile
14	Pauline & Maire Hanly	Roy Roger Um
15	John Joe Bracken	The Lakes of Coolfin
16	Mary Brennan	The Groves of Kilteevan
17	Jonn Joe Coriam	The Rose of Castlerea
18	Marty Moore	Horses and Plough
19	Mary Seale	The Maid of Sweet Gurteen
20	Declan Coyne	What Will We Do?

Reviews

The Sunday Tribune: 14/2/99

Roscommon Singers Circle marks the democratic potential of the C.D. to promote confidence in singing. Africa and Bulgaria supplement a mix of traditional style, influence and inner purpose that sit a sentimental ‘Rose of Castlerea’ and ‘Horses and Plough’ with the brashly trade unionist ‘Ten Young Women’. The modern ‘Banks of the Moy’ matches a timeless ‘Lakes of Coolfin’. A curious, but comfortable unity of old, new and local.

Fintan Vallely

Irish Music: June 1999.

For those who missed the ballad boom first time around, singers circles fill the gap admirably. There are at least 20 or so very active singing clubs around the country (probably more). They all share the same philosophy, cuinas for the singer and respect for the song. And this is just what you get on this fine collection, twenty songs from as many singers, reflecting the mix of melodies that you are likely to encounter at a singing session. Nine of the tracks from the ladies, nine from the men and two from the youth group Baby Sham. As a snapshot of the vibrant singing tradition in Roscommon this is a timely recording …....this album is as authentic as you’ll get………..

Andy Ryan

What Will We Do?

Is available from Dhá Lon Promotions. Please mail Declan for details regarding pricing and delivery.

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Celtic Links

Celtic Links is a new C.D. that was recorded in L.G.Studios, Longford, Ireland and Terry Small Studios in Inverness, Scotland by over thirty highly talented, young musicians from Mid South Roscommon and Ross and Cromarty in the North-West Highlands of Scotland.

This album was recorded to the highest professional standards by young musicians who can hold their own in any company, be it on the concert stage with the professionals or in a pub session with the more senior aficionados of that circuit.

The album came about as part of a LEADER II funded Trans-National Arts Exchange Programme (Celtic Links) between the two areas and has benefited numerous Visual and Performing Artists from both regions.

The mid/south Roscommon musicians involved have all attended the Senior Féis Rois in Gairloch at some stage over the past three years and have worked with their Scottish counterparts on various projects in that time. The Scottish musicians are all members of Féis Rois in the North-West Highlands.

Celtic Links the album is the culmination of that experience and is a fine testimony to the hard work that was put in by all concerned.

Celtic Links is due for release by the end of October 2000 and will be available from this site.

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