Cathal McConnell facts for kids

Cathal McConnell (born in 1944) is a famous Irish musician and singer. He is best known as a founder of the traditional band The Boys of the Lough. Cathal mainly plays the Irish flute and the tin whistle.

He has spent his life playing traditional music and singing. Cathal is now collecting his huge amount of music and special items. These will be kept safe at the Irish Traditional Music Archive in Dublin. This project has also helped the Archive record some of Cathal's memories. These memories are about his musical friendship with the great fiddler, Tommy Peoples.

Early Life and Musical Beginnings

Cathal McConnell grew up in a musical family in County Fermanagh, Ireland. He plays music in the traditional Fermanagh style. His father, Sandy, was a well-known singer and musician. Sandy even recorded for the BBC in the 1950s. Cathal's younger brother, Mickey MacConnell, is also a musician and songwriter.

In Ireland, Cathal first played music with fiddler Tommy Gunn and Robin Morton. In 1962, Cathal became an All-Ireland champion. He won titles for both the flute and the whistle.

Forming The Boys of the Lough

Cathal met other musicians at a folk festival in Falkirk, Scotland. This is where the group The Boys of the Lough was formed. Their first recording came out in 1973. The original members were Cathal on flute, Aly Bain on fiddle, Dick Gaughan on vocals and guitar, and Robin Morton on bodhran and vocals.

The band has had many different members over the years. However, they are still active today. They have released 21 studio albums. Cathal McConnell is the only original member still with the group.

Other Musical Adventures

Besides his work with The Boys of the Lough, Cathal has released two albums of his own songs and tunes. He has also performed in duos with many musicians. These include Robin Morton, Scots fiddler Duncan Wood, and singer Len Graham. He also played with Irish fiddler Gerry O'Connor.

In 2010, Gerry O'Connor put together a collection of Cathal's songs. It was published as a book called I Have Travelled This Country.

Cathal has lived in Scotland for many years. There, he often performs with his friend, Gaelic piper and singer Allan MacDonald. He also plays as The Cathal McConnell Trio. This trio includes Kathryn Nicoll on fiddle and viola, and Karen Marshalsay on harp. He has also performed and recorded with Michelle Burke and with Nuala Kennedy.

Awards and Tributes

Cathal McConnell has received many awards and honors for his music.

• 1962: He became an All-Ireland champion in both flute and whistle. He won these Senior titles at the Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann. This big music festival was held in Gorey, County Wexford.
• 2009: Cathal has been involved with the annual Willie Clancy Summer School for a long time. This school is in Miltown Malbay, County Clare. In July 2009, the school honored Cathal. They held an evening of speeches, music, and songs just for him.
• 2010: McConnell was named Amhránaí na Bliana/Traditional Singer of the Year. This award was given at the TG4 Gradam Ceoil awards. The ceremony took place in Wexford Opera House. The Irish Consulate General in Edinburgh also held a party to celebrate this honor.
• 2013: Cathal was interviewed about his life and music. This happened when he appeared at the Cruinniú na bhFliúit Flute Festival. The festival was held in Baile Bhúirne, West Cork.

Recordings

You can also find recordings by his band, The Boys of the Lough.

Here are some of Cathal's own albums:

• An Irish Jubilee with Robin Morton – Topic Records (1976)
• On Lough Erne's Shore – Topic Records (1978)
• For the Sake of Old Decency with Len Graham – Sage Arts Records (1993)
• Long Expectant Comes at Last – Compass Records (2000)
• Auld Springs Gies Nae Price with Duncan Wood – Carnyx Productions (2010)
• Old Recordings of Slow Airs (2021)

Other recordings include:

• A series of whistle recordings. These were included with the teaching book Irish Pennywhistle Taught By Cathal McConnell.
• Many recordings of Cathal's songs. These were part of the book I Have Travelled This Country.