Ó Bhéal guth béal
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| Artist Name(s) | Ger Wolfe |
| Artwork title | Ó Bhéal guth béal |
| Context/Background | Singer/songwriter Ger Wolfe spent Spring 2009 in The Múscraí Gaeltacht as artist-in-residence. His brief was to spend time with the older members of this gaeltacht community, listening and interacting with them through conversation and involvement in a number of social activities. From listening to and meeting the older members of the community, the intention was to create a body of work (in the shape of newly written songs) representing the views and life stories of the older people. It was hoped that Ger, as a songwriter, would bring these stories to the wider community, and in doing so also enrich the lives of the older people in this culturally rich area of County Cork. The Múscraí Gaeltacht stretches from the borders of Clondrohid, west of the town of Macroom, to the west as far as the county boundary (with Kerry), from the north of Baile Mhúirne, and southwards to Ballingeary (Béal Atha an Ghaorthaidh). It encompasses other small villages including Réidh na ndoirí, Cill na Martra, Baile Mhicíre, and countless townlands, glens, hills, valleys and plains-all rich in heritage and folklore. The project was conceived by Bríd Crannitch, Director of An t-Ionad Cultúrtha, (arts and cultural centre) in Bailemhúirne. |
| Description | The singer/ songwriter Ger Wolfe worked in Spring on the song-writing project involving older people from the Muskerry Gaeltacht who attend the day-centres Cois Coille, Cuan Barra, the Tacaois group from Ionad Cultúrtha and the Scoraíocht an Déardaoin group at the Meitheal Múscraí Ionad Áise Centre in Renaree. As Ger himself said recently: “I’m a singer/song-writer and I understand the power of traditional and contemporary songs. I feel that there is no limit to the way we can express our thoughts. We must keep art alive but at the same time, we must protect and celebrate the past. Therefore, I would like to try, using the tools of my trade and my own creativity, to bring the stories of the older people in our community back into the community again in the form of newly composed songs.” Ger spent time with this community group, especially those who attend the day centres for older people. He spent time listening to their stories and collecting their experiences. From these encounters he gathered source material for his song writing, thus giving a contemporary feel to the older stories and ways of life. |
| Biographies | Born in Cork city and now settled near Macroom, Ger Wolfe is a well known singer/songwriter and musician. He runs his own record label Raggedy Records and has released four CD’s of original music over the last ten years, while also touring extensively both solo and with his band The New Skylarks. As well as writing, Ger teaches traditional music in local national schools weekly. |
| Commission Type | Udaras na Gaeltachta,Government Department |
| Commissioner Name | An t-Ionad Cultúrtha, Baile Mhúirne |
| Commissioning process | A curated process |
| Project commission dates | February 1, 2009 - May 21, 2009 |
| Public Presentation dates | May 20, 2009 - May 21, 2009 |
| Artform | Music |
| Art Practice | Arts Participation |
| Funded By | Other |
| Budget Range | 0 - 10000 euro |
| Project commission start date | 01/02/2009 |
| Project commission end date | 21/05/2009 |
| Location | An t-Ionad Cultúrtha, Baile Mhúirne |
| County | Cork |
| Town | Baile Mhúirne |
| Street Address | Lár an bhaile |
| Google Map Insert | View this projects location |
| Website | http://www.gerwolfe.com/ |
| Content contributor(s) | Ger Wolfe |
| Relationship to project | Facilitator/ songwriter |
| Public engagement | People who attended the say services came along to hear the performances on both the 21 and 22 of May. |
| Associated professionals / Specialists involved | Special guest musicians Richard Lucey - accordion Coanl O’ Grada - flute Tadhg Kelleher, Sound Engineer |
