Irish musicians are latest Cork Persons of the Month
Two musicians have been named as the latest Cork Person of the Month for their significant contribution to the Sliabh Luachra tradition of Irish music over the past number of decades.
Fiddle-player Matt Cranitch and accordionist Jackie Daly won the award for November and are acknowledged masters of the rich musical tradition of Sliabh Luachra, a culturally unique area on the Cork/Kerry border renowned for its distinctive style of playing and special repertoire of tunes. In their performances and recordings Matt and Jackie draw upon and pay tribute to the rich musical legacy of this region.
Matt is a world-renowned fiddle-player, having won several All-Ireland Fleadh Cheoil titles, the Oireachtas Crotty Cup, and has been named The Fiddler of Dooney.
Prolific in terms of writing, performing and composition, he is the author of The Irish Fiddle Book, first published in 1988 and now in its fourth edition, and has also contributed to a variety of other books. His discography includes albums with groups such as Na Filí, Any Old Time and Sliabh Notes, in addition to his solo album of slow airs Éistigh Seal.
He received a PhD in 2006 for his study on the fiddle-playing tradition of this region and has taught a number of courses in Irish traditional music at UCC.
Jackie Daly is synonymous with the button accordion in the world of Irish traditional music, having been described in The New York Times as “probably the best accordionist in Ireland”. Despite primarily being an accordionist, Jackie has had a lifelong affinity for fiddle-music and is most well known for his highly-acclaimed albums featuring fiddle and accordion which he produced with figures such as the late Cork-based musician Séamus Creagh, Kevin Burke, Máire O’Keeffe, and, most recently, with Matt Cranitch.
He has performed throughout the world with bands such as De Danann, Patrick Street, Buttons and Bows, Arcady, Reel Union and Kinvara.
Jackie has been honoured with titles including the TG4 Gradam Ceoil Award, the Kanturk Arts Festival Award, the MJ Quill Irish Cultural Center Award in New York, and the Patrick O’Keeffe Traditional Music Festival Award.
Awards Organiser Manus O’Callaghan said: “When Matt and Jackie come together to play anything from slides and polkas to reels and airs, whether in the studio or in live performance, they display not only their immense level of musical virtuosity but also their respect, love and deep understanding of the vibrant musical tradition of Sliabh Luachra.”
“Their dedication to their craft and commitment to keeping this worthy Cork tradition alive is commendable. This Cork Person of the Month Award is in recognition of their stellar service to Cork’s musical and wider cultural landscape”, he concluded.
Their names will now go forward alongside the other monthly winners for possible selection as Cork Person of the Year.