Cathal McConnell facts for kids

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

Cathal has spent his whole life playing traditional music and singing. He is currently collecting his huge collection of music and special items. These will be given to 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. In 2023 and 2024, he worked on recording 'McConnell's Variations on Whistle and Flute' with Nuala Kennedy.

Early Life and Musical Roots

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

In his early years, Cathal 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.

The Boys of the Lough Band

The band The Boys of the Lough started after Cathal met other musicians at a folk festival. This festival was held in Falkirk, Scotland. Their first album was released in 1973. The original band members were Cathal McConnell on flute, Aly Bain on fiddle, Dick Gaughan singing and playing guitar, and Robin Morton on bodhran (a type of drum) and vocals.

Over the years, some band members have changed. However, The Boys of the Lough is still active today. They have released 21 studio albums! Cathal McConnell is the only original founding member still in the band.

Other Music Projects

Besides his work with The Boys of the Lough, Cathal has released two albums of his own songs and tunes. He has also performed with many other musicians. He played in duos with Robin Morton (who passed away in 2021), Scottish fiddler Duncan Wood, singer Len Graham, and Irish fiddler Gerry O'Connor.

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

Cathal has lived in Scotland for many years. You can often find him performing there with his friend, Allan MacDonald. Allan is a Gaelic piper and singer. Cathal also performs as The Cathal McConnell Trio. This group includes Kathryn Nicoll on fiddle and viola, and Karen Marshalsay on harp. He has also played and recorded music with Michelle Burke and Nuala Kennedy.

Awards and Recognition

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

• 1962: Cathal became an All-Ireland champion in both flute and whistle. He won both Senior titles at the Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann. This big music competition 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 with a special evening. It included speeches, music, and songs dedicated to him.
• 2010: Cathal was given the Amhránaí na Bliana/Traditional Singer of the Year award. This was at the TG4 Gradam Ceoil awards ceremony in Wexford Opera House. The Irish Consulate General in Edinburgh, Scotland, hosted 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 in Baile Bhúirne, West Cork.

Discography (Albums)

You can also find more albums listed under The Boys of the Lough discography.

Here are some of Cathal McConnell's 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 that came with the teaching book Irish Pennywhistle Taught By Cathal McConnell. This book was published by Homespun Tapes.
• Many recordings that show Cathal's collection of songs. These were included with the book I Have Travelled This Country.