kkrell wrote:
The Matt Molloy reference may have to do with an old argument. Born in Ballaghaderreen (Irish: Bealach an Doirín, meaning "the way of the little oak grove") , a town in County Roscommon, Ireland, but traditionally part of County Mayo. His pub, BTW, is in County Mayo. Matt, in an interview, indicated his family were from Sligo area, and Matt is renowned for playing in a Sligo style.
http://www.mattmolloy.com/interview-with-matt/Also, I think there may be another reference to at least one C&F member who splits his time with a USA residence and one in County Clare. There are of course others who have similar habits.
In any case, I think the OP was making the point that location is no longer so restrictive as to musical style as it might once have been.
That's about it all.
But I have to add, Ballahadereen is deffo in Co Roscommon, I should know, lived in it. Too, need to clarify, in Ireland your County is always where you were born, not your family. Kinda nutty if you ask me, but there it is. I think the tradition comes from the GAA, Gaelic Athletic Association, where your Parish of birth is what provides your colors. IOW if your parents are from Bejing China, and you are born in Ballahadereen, then you are a Roscommon person, if considering your Irish identity. OC if you are not in Ireland it does not matter. Matt Molloy is an internationalist, so he can be from where ever he likes, but in Ireland everybody, and their dog, knows that Matt is a Roscommon man.
Local tune traditions did once rule the roost, IOW where you grew up provided most of your lore. In my case there are nearly no Polkas/Slides and not many Hop Jigs, however if I grew up in the Kerry region I would not have as many great Reels and Double Jigs. So asserting my identity, here in the USA, as X County .. begs the question, 'what don't I know of other counties ..' Too asserting any county, especially Co. Clare ( Ireland ) is just empty boasting, because its how well you play Co. Clare Ireland tunes that makes it remarkable, not merely saying it. For example ' Junior Crehan' no need to say where he originates, or 'Miko Russell' same thing, but in his case a non English speaker might make the mistake of confusing him with Bertrand ... lol. Too I have a great pal on the net who doesn't play a note on anything other than the Radio, he's a Clare man. In all the years I have known him, never mentions it at all. So there ya go, on Irish Folk music sites making the claim, to me, is just funny, and in a lot of cases, false. If you live a lie, your music is a lie.
I could get in a Blues Group and boast ... 'Fildafluter Delta Miss ..' to gain more scope and authority for my bleatings... I just find it amusing that a person with little of no connection to it would add 'Co. Clare ..' to his/her name ...
I'll get me hat ..
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