Books - Non-fiction

The Doolin Book

Folk art is, indeed, the oldest of the aristocracies of thought...
it is the soil where all great art is rooted.
– W.B. Yeats, Celtic Twilight

World renowned as a shrine of Irish traditional music, Doolin in County Clare lies between two natural wonders, the dark Cliffs of Moher and silver hills of the Burren. Once known only to her immediate neighbours, the cognoscenti and artists, Doolin is now mentioned in every guidebook to Ireland as a place to experience authentic Irish culture. Everyone who has been there has told someone else – who has told someone else – about this unique place. What started meandering to Doolin as a trickle of "alternatives" back in the 60's, became a mainstream flood by the 90's.

This book includes a collection of essays, interviews and conversations with famous Doolin tradition-bearers: the Russell Brothers; the Killougherys; Paddy Pharaic Mhichil Shannon. Francis McNamara and Boitius MacClancy are featured for the gentry. Music and folk traditions run through the book and it has chapters on storytelling and dancing. The book is illustrated with photographs, music, songs, maps and journal excerpts, and will include access to a special web site where readers can listen to, and download audio and video of the tradition bearers featured in the book.

Below, a video sample – Doolin music session, O'Connor's Pub, 1973. Musicians: Pakie Russell, concertina; Willie Beag Shannon & Paddy Killoughery, fiddles; Gussie Russell, flute; Rory O'Connor, tin whistle; Stevie MacNamara, bodhran.

Here are two samples of audio from The Doolin Book: