The Music Tradition of Tory

A valuable addition to the cultural history of Tory Island was written in 2002 by the respected sean-nós  singer Lillis Ó Laoire.  Dr  Ó Laoire is the author of Ar Chreag i Lár na Farraige: Amhráin agus Amhránaithe i dToraigh, published in 2002. The book, title translated as On a Rock in the Middle of the Ocean: Songs and Singers in Tory Island, relates the story the story of music, song and dance in Ireland, by focusing on the renowned tradition found in Toraigh, Tory Island, Co. Donegal. Already studied in works by Jim Hunter and Robin Fox among others, the book addresses a gap in research by focusing on music and song performance in a serious way.

Ar cheann de na scéalta a insítear sa leabhar tá scéal mhuintir Dhonnchaidh Eoin, teaghlach Dixon. Bhí meas mór ar an teaghlach seo i dToraigh ar chúiseanna go leor. Cé go bhfuil eolas maith ar neart an cheoil i dToraigh, ina dhiaidh sin is beag staidéar a rinneadh air. Cuireadh béim ar struchtúr sóisialta, ar sheilbh an talaimh ar iascaireacht agus ar mhodhanna feirmeoireachta. Cha dtearnadh cíoradh ar an mhothú agus ar an spiorad láidir a bhí ag muintir Thoraí, cé gur thrácht go leor cuairteoirí air sin. Is lú ná sin a tráchtadh ar an cheangal idir an spioard sin agus traidisiún ceoil an oileáin.

Tá mionmhíniú sa leabhar fosta ar scéal Phádraig Dixon, deartháir na bpéintéirí, Jimí agus Johnny. Rinneadh ceangal speisialta idir an fear óg seo agus amhrán dá raibh i stór an oileáin. I ndiaidh a bháis, bhíodh a mhuintir ag iarraidh an amhráin seo go minic ag damhsaí i dtigh na scoile. Amhrán fá bhean óg ar thréig a leannán í atá san amhrán A Phaidí a Ghrá.

The book focuses on various aspects of music performance.  Ó Laoire makes a distinction between different modes of learning, tóg and foghlaim.   Singers made clear distinctions between these two modes and some examples of their experiences are included.  The book also explores the how song and dance intersects to create and stimulate feelings of teas ‘heat/warmth’ and cumhaidh longing/pining. Such ideas are also found in other similar communities such as Newfoundland, where a similarly active performance cultures exists.

To read the book in English please click here