imageLast Wednesday night, 2nd December, a large crowd gathered in Cleere’s pub for the launch of “The Floating Feather”, a collection of Irish Traditional Music from County Kilkenny. The author is, Charles O’ Neill, a retired primary school teacher from Kilkenny. He has had an abiding interest and love of Irish music all his life. The book is a collection of his own tunes, which spring from a deeply ingrained pride in his community and county, and are blended with well established music of Kilkenny that has been played for over a century.

Charles has acknowledged the many wonderful players in Kilkenny who are now proudly living a great tradition and he has dedicated a number of tunes to the fine players and friends from all corners of Ireland who have helped and inspired him along the way.

In the foreward to the book, Colm O Caoimh, a noted guitarist and founder member of ‘Caladh Nua’ says:

“Importantly this book contains an assortment of traditional tunes associated with Kilkenny City and County, which serves as a valuable addendum to the publication. I am unaware of the prior existence of such a compilation. With this tune-book, Charlie is acknowledging and helping to perpetuate a rich tradition of folk music which is often overlooked in this region. I sincerly hope to hear them played in sessions up and down the country.”

The night was a great success with plenty of traditional music, lively conversation, and a sell out of the launch copies. The book will be available in Kilkenny bookshops and in Rothe House at €15 a copy.

Charles’s own compositions have been described as “musically interesting and diverse. Some have a particular melodic sweetness, others evoke a sense of melancholy while more display a distinct sense of humour.”

Comhghairdeas Cathal agus gach rath ar an bhfiontar seo!