Trad band Roudledum for reunion gig after 30 years

Galway band Roudledum, which was prominent on the local music scene during the late 1980s will make a return to the stage after 30 years with a special gig at Pádraig’s Place at the Docks in Galway City on Friday, July 18, when they will relaunch an album that they first released in 1984.

The four musicians in Roudledum got together in late 1983 to play their music and songs in the Galway/Clare area. They are Gerry Hanley from Castlegar, Seán Ó hÉanaigh from Cárna, Jerry Mulvihill from Meath and East Clare fiddle player Vincent Griffin. Collectively and individually they were part of the resurgence of traditional music at the time.

The 1980s were exciting times for traditional music and the band organised a series of gigs. They also record an album, which was issued only on cassette.  A tour of London followed, with gigs and sessions in various well-known venues including the Forum and the White Harte in Fulham Broadway. They met and played with various musicians including Bobby Casey, John Bowe, Finbar Dwyer and many more.

The four members of Roudledum have lived in and travelled to many places in the intervening years, and played their music in many locations. They recently decided to revive the band and to re-live the music they created together.

Now, 30 years on, the Roudledum album has been re-mastered by the man who recorded it, Gerald O’Donoghue of Greenfields Studio, and it has been re-issued as a CD.

The four members may be 30 years older, but time has not dampened their enthusiasm.

Vincent Griffin is a widely respected musician who spent time in London where he perfected his style of playing.  He brings a strong Clare tradition to the mix. Box player Gerry Hanley was based in Sligo for years and has performed throughout the world. Jerry Mulvihill is well known on the traditional music scene as a banjo player, who also gigs with his musician wife Mary Staunton. Seán Ó hÉanaigh has composed various Irish language songs, and played for some years in Dublin.

They hope the CD has stood the test of time.

“We were aware of a lot of good tunes, many of which weren’t being played too often in those days. It was very enjoyable playing and recording them for a wider audience at the time” says Gerry Hanley. The four have planned further gigs for the Fleadh Cheoil in Sligo and other parts of the west of Ireland.

“It’s great being together again and we are enjoying the music and comradeship. As long as people enjoy it, who knows what will happen?” says banjo player Jerry Mulvihill.

Traditional music fans in Galway will get a chance to hear the tunes and to relive the music of the 1980s on Friday, July 18 in Pádraig’s Place, at 8pm as part of the Galway Fringe Festival.