Charlie Lennon suite to commemorate 1916

Spiddal-based musician, Dr Charlie Lennon, one of Ireland’s leading composer of traditional music, has just completed a 60-minute-suite to honour the heroes of the 1916 Rising. It was launched in the Unitarian Church, St Stephen’s Green, Dublin, last week by RTÉ’s Mary Kennedy, presenter of Nationwide.

The Suite was commissioned by Gael Linn and has now been released as an album entitled Áille na hÁille—A Terrible Beauty. The CD features a range of musicians from the RTÉ ConTempo String Quartet to top traditional players, including piper Ronan Browne, Charlie himself, his daughter Éilís and singer Muireann Nic Amhlaidh.

The album will be launched in Tigh Giblin, Spiddal, next Wednesday, March 16, by Radio na Gaeltachta presenter Neansaí Ní Choisdealbha.  The event starts at 8.30pm, when a host of musicians will be there to mark the occasion. Admission is free and all are welcome.