Mayo family features in new series of Ceol ón Chlann on TG4
Following the continued success of TG4’s Ceol ón Chlann series, the fourth series explores six famous Irish musical families who have brought their music to the four corners of the world.
The series, which features the Smyth family from Straide in Co. Mayo, gives an insight into the musical journey that each family has taken and the influence of previous generations on their family’s musical heritage.
Each story is presented through rare footage from the archives of BBC, ITV, TG4 and RTÉ, and previously unseen private family footage.
Featuring musical performances and exclusive interviews with family members, contemporary musicians and well-known broadcasters offering unique perspectives throughout the series on the families, the documentary series 'offers a fresh insight into the heritage of these unique Irish families, their legacy and their continuing significance in modern Ireland’s musical tapestry', according to Feilimí O’Connor, executive producer and director.
As well as Seán, Breda and Cora Smyth (Lúnasa, Lord of the Dance), featured families include the Dillons (Cara and Mary), Muintir Uí Cheannabháin (Pól Ó Ceannabháin and Caitríona Ní Cheannabháin), the Glackins (Paddy, Kevin and Doireann), the Vallelys (Buille, Lúnasa) and the Haydens (Cathal and Stephen, Four Men and a Dog). All are famous for bringing Irish traditional music across the globe.
The first episode on Sunday, September 11 (10.30 p.m., TG4), features the Smyth siblings – Seán, Cora and Breda. They grew up in Straide, Co. Mayo, surrounded by a strong family tradition of Irish music and during this time they collectively won over 50 All-Ireland titles. They each graduated in medicine while participating in the exciting music scene in Galway during their studies at what was then UCG.
Lúnasa super group founder Seán Smyth's 1993 solo debut, The Blue Fiddle, was named one of the year’s 10 best albums by The Irish Echo.
Breda has presented programme for TG4 and RTÉ, and her debut album earned her a nomination as Best Female Artist at the 2003 Irish Music Magazine Awards. She as recently has been named as Ireland's interim Chief Medical Officer.
Cora's professional career started when she performed with The Druid Theatre and she then played violin with 'The Voice’, winning the Eurovision song contest, and subsequently toured the world with Michael Flatley’s Lord of the Dance.
The series is narrated by Pádraigín Ní Uallacháin. It was produced by Táin Media for TG4 and funded by Northern Ireland Screen’s Irish Language Broadcast Fund (ILBF).