Local instrument makers to feature in documentary

RAIDIÓ Corca Baiscinn will broadcast a documentary entitled The Music Makers this Thursday at 6pm and will be repeated next Monday at 4pm. The documentary will focus on traditional music makers in the region.
West Clare is renowned for its traditional music and there are regular festivals around the area celebrating their skills. It is possible to listen to the highest quality traditional music almost every night of the year.
What is not quite so well known is that there are craftspeople tucked away in workshops across West Clare producing the instruments these musicians need. Often they are fine musicians in their own right, who have taken their skills to another level by actually learning how to make their instruments. This programme looks at two makers of instruments; Derrick Gleeson, a maker of uilleann pipes, and Macdara Tobín, a maker of guitars, mandolins and bouzoukis.
The programme explores the huge range of skills needed to produce a set of uilleann pipes, from wood turning through metal work to saddler and the craft skills needed to work with wood to produce fine guitars and mandolins.
The programme includes music from some of the instruments made, showcasing the skills of these music makers and highlighting how vibrant the traditional music scene is in West Clare.
The making of this documentary has been funded by the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland’s Sound and Vision fund, which provides funding for the making of radio programmes that explore Irish culture, heritage, sport and history.
The station can be picked up on 94.8 FM in Kilrush and on 92.5 FM in Kilkee.