# Cathal McConnell > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Cathal_McConnell > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Cathal_McConnell.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cathal_McConnell > Source revision: 1346672392 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) {{Use dmy dates|date=March 2020}} {{EngvarB|date=March 2020}} {{Infobox musical artist | name = Cathal McConnell | image = | caption = | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1944|06|08|df=y}} | birth_place = Bellanaleck, County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland | origin = | instrument = flute, whistle | genre = [Folk](/source/Folk_music), [Traditional](/source/Traditional_music), [Celtic](/source/Celtic_music) | occupation = Irish musician and singer | years_active = | label = }} '''Cathal McConnell''' (born 8 June 1944) is an Irish musician and singer best known as the mainstay of traditional band [The Boys of the Lough](/source/The_Boys_of_the_Lough), of which he is a founder member. His main instruments are the [Irish flute](/source/Irish_flute) and the [tin whistle](/source/tin_whistle). Following a lifetime immersed in traditional music and song, Cathal McConnell is currently gathering his collection of music and memorabilia for deposit with the [https://www.itma.ie/ Irish Traditional Music Archive] in Dublin. This project has also allowed ITMA to record some of [https://www.itma.ie/playlists/tommy-peoples-mcconnell-recordings/ Cathal's memories] of his musical friendship with the great Donegal fiddler, Tommy Peoples. 2023-24 projects include recording 'McConnell's Variations on Whistle and Flute' with [Nuala Kennedy](/source/Nuala_Kennedy). ==Early life== McConnell came from a musical family in [Tonyloman](/source/List_of_townlands_in_County_Fermanagh) near [Bellanaleck](/source/Bellanaleck), [County Fermanagh](/source/County_Fermanagh) and plays his music in the traditional Fermanagh style.{{cite book | title=The Essential Guide to Irish Flute and Tin Whistle | publisher=Mel Bay Publications | author=Larsen, Grey | year=2011 | pages=400 | isbn=978-1610658898}} His father Sandy was a well known traditional singer and musician in his own right and recorded for the BBC in the 1950s and his younger brother is the musician and songwriter [Mickey MacConnell](/source/Mickey_MacConnell). McConnell's early musical collaborators in Ireland were fiddler [Tommy Gunn](/source/Tommy_Gunn_(musician)) and [Robin Morton](/source/Robin_Morton_(musician)). In 1962 McConnell became [All-Ireland champion](/source/List_of_All-Ireland_Fleadh_champions) in both flute and whistle.{{cite book | title=Hidden Fermanagh: Traditional Music and Song from County Fermanagh | publisher=Fermanagh Traditional Music Society | author=Maguire, Cyril | year=2003|isbn=0-9546200-0-3}} ==The Boys of the Lough== After meeting at a folk festival in [Falkirk](/source/Falkirk), Scotland, the group The Boys of the Lough was formed and their first recording was released in 1973. Originally consisting of McConnell on flute, [Aly Bain](/source/Aly_Bain) (fiddle),{{cite web |title=Folk duo's birthday bash |url=http://www.thevisitor.co.uk/what-s-on/gigs-music/folk-duo-s-birthday-bash-1-7847100 |website=The Visitor |date=12 April 2016}} [Dick Gaughan](/source/Dick_Gaughan) (vocals and guitar) and Robin Morton ([bodhran](/source/bodhran) and vocals).{{Cite news |last=Gilcrist |first=Jim |title=Folk: Boys of the Lough – The New Line |url=https://www.scotsman.com/arts-and-culture/music/folk-boys-of-the-lough-the-new-line-1-3837503 |work=The Scotsman |date=22 July 2015}} Although there have now been multiple line-up changes, the group remains active and has 21 studio albums to its name. McConnell is the only remaining founder member. ==Other projects== Outside the '''Boys of the Lough''', Cathal has released two albums of songs and tunes,{{Cite magazine |url=http://www.livingtradition.co.uk/webrevs/742872.htm |title=Cathal McConnell – Long Expectant Comes At Last |magazine=The Living Tradition |issue=40 |format=review}} performed in duos with Robin Morton (1939–2021), Scots fiddler Duncan Wood,{{cite news |title=Cathal McConnell: Singing the praises of a lifelong Boy who stayed true to his roots |url=https://www.scotsman.com/lifestyle-2-15039/cathal-mcconnell-singing-the-praises-of-a-lifelong-boy-who-stayed-true-to-his-roots-1-802627 |work=The Scotsman |date=4 May 2010}} singer [Len Graham](/source/Len_Graham_(singer)), Irish fiddler [Gerry O'Connor](/source/Gerry_O'Connor_(fiddle_player)),{{cite web |title=Cathal McConnell & Gerry O'Connor – Music and Song of South Ulster |url=http://www.cathalmcconnell.com/mcconnell-o-connor |website=I Have Travelled this Country – Songs of Cathal McConnell |access-date=17 July 2019 |archive-date=17 July 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190717115250/http://www.cathalmcconnell.com/mcconnell-o-connor |url-status=dead }} among others. In 2010 [Gerry O'Connor](/source/Gerry_O'Connor_(fiddle_player)) compiled a collection from Cathal's song repertoire, published as ''I Have Travelled This Country''.{{Cite web |title=Cathal McConnell – I Have Travelled This Country CDs & DVDs |url=http://claddaghrecords.com/index.php/cathal-mcconnell-i-have-travelled-this-country.html |website=Claddagh Records |access-date=5 July 2019 |archive-date=5 July 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190705104703/http://claddaghrecords.com/index.php/cathal-mcconnell-i-have-travelled-this-country.html |url-status=dead }} In Scotland, where he has lived for many years you will often find Cathal McConnell performing with his friend, Gaelic piper and singer [https://allanmacdonald.com/ Allan MacDonald] or as '''The Cathal McConnell Trio''' with Kathryn Nicoll (fiddle and viola) and Karen Marshalsay (harp). He has also performed and recorded with [http://www.michelleburkemusic.com/ Michelle Burke] and with [https://www.nualakennedy.com/ Nuala Kennedy]. ==Accolades== 1962: McConnell is an [All-Ireland champion](/source/List_of_All-Ireland_Fleadh_champions) in both flute and whistle, winning both Senior titles at the [Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann](/source/Fleadh_Cheoil) held in [Gorey](/source/Gorey), [County Wexford](/source/County_Wexford).{{cite book | title=Hidden Fermanagh: Traditional Music and Song from County Fermanagh | publisher=Fermanagh Traditional Music Society | author=Maguire, Cyril | year=2003|isbn=0-9546200-0-3}} 2009: Following a longstanding involvement with the annual [Willie Clancy Summer School](/source/Willie_Clancy_Summer_School) in [Miltown Malbay](/source/Miltown_Malbay), County Clare, the School paid tribute to McConnell with an evening of speeches, music and song dedicated to him in July 2009.{{Cite web |url=https://www.itma.ie/features/playlists/mcconnell-cathal/ |title=Cathal McConnell Tribute, 2009 |website=Irish Traditional Music Archive |date=1 December 2010 |access-date=18 July 2019 |archive-date=18 July 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190718103314/https://www.itma.ie/features/playlists/mcconnell-cathal/ |url-status=dead }} 2010: McConnell was awarded '''Amhránaí na Bliana/Traditional Singer of the Year''' at the [TG4](/source/TG4) Gradam Ceoil awards ceremony in Wexford Opera House.{{cite news |title=And the winners of tonight's TG4 Gradam Ceoil awards are... |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/and-the-winners-of-tonight-s-tg4-gradam-ceoil-awards-are-1.617399 |newspaper=The Irish Times |date=4 December 2010}} This honour was acknowledged in Cathal's adopted hometown when [https://www.dfa.ie/irish-consulate/edinburgh/ The Consulate General of Ireland in Edinburgh] hosted a reception to mark the occasion. 2013: As part of his appearance at ''Cruinniú na bhFliúit'' Flute Festival in Baile Bhúirne, West Cork, Cathal was interviewed about his life and music.{{Cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PQTPTdacZmE |title=Cruinniú na bhFliúit 2013 Cathal McConnell Interview, 2009 |website=YouTube |date=9 April 2021}} ==Discography== See also [The Boys of the Lough discography](/source/The_Boys_of_the_Lough). * ''An Irish Jubilee'' with Robin Morton – [Topic Records](/source/Topic_Records) (1976) * ''On Lough Erne's Shore'' – [Topic Records](/source/Topic_Records) (1978) * ''For the Sake of Old Decency'' with Len Graham – Sage Arts Records (1993) * ''Long Expectant Comes at Last'' – [Compass Records](/source/Compass_Records) (2000) * ''Auld Springs Gies Nae Price'' with Duncan Wood – Carnyx Productions (2010) * ''Old Recordings of Slow Airs'' (2021) Other recordings include: * a series of whistle recordings included with the tutor book ''Irish Pennywhistle Taught By Cathal McConnell'' published by Homespun Tapes. * an extensive series of recordings documenting Cathal's song repertoire included with the book ''I Have Travelled This Country''. ==References== {{Reflist}} ==External links== *{{cite magazine | url=http://www.folkmusic.net/htmfiles/inart483.htm | title=The Hand of Cathal | magazine=The Living Tradition | last=Heywood | first=Pete | issue=31 | access-date=31 May 2016 | archive-date=5 April 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160405034313/http://www.folkmusic.net/htmfiles/inart483.htm | url-status=dead }} *{{cite web | url=https://www.itma.ie/features/playlists/mcconnell-cathal | title=Cathal McConnell Tribute, 2009 | publisher=Irish Traditional Music Archive | access-date=18 July 2019 | archive-date=18 July 2019 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190718103314/https://www.itma.ie/features/playlists/mcconnell-cathal/ | url-status=dead }} {{Authority control}} {{DEFAULTSORT:McConnell, Cathal}} Category:Folk musicians from Northern Ireland Category:Musicians from County Fermanagh Category:Living people Category:Male flautists from Northern Ireland Category:The Boys of the Lough members Category:1944 births Category:Topic Records artists Category:20th-century Irish flautists Category:21st-century Irish flautists Category:20th-century male musicians from Northern Ireland Category:21st-century male musicians from Northern Ireland --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Cathal McConnell](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cathal_McConnell) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cathal_McConnell?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.