Two prominent traditional musicians from Ireland, Paddy Keenan and Mickey Dunne, have embarked on a musical tribute to their Traveller ancestors, journeying for two weeks via a horse-pulled barrel-top wagon. This pilgrimage, dubbed ‘the Long Grazing Acre’, originates from Boyle in County Roscommon, a town significant due to singer and folklore collector Johnny Reilly who gained fame from Christy Moore’s performances and recordings of his folk songs. The pipers plan to follow the path which their Traveller forebears travelled, in remembrance of the pivotal role they played in ensuring the survival of the music.
Along their course, which penetrates regions of Leitrim and Donegal, other musicians will join them to partake in fireside performances, honouring noted Traveller musical families, for example, the Dorans, the Dohertys and the Reillys. Dunne’s daughter Niamh, an accomplished violinist and a member of the Belfast band Beoga, will also accompany the pipers. Niamh, who Dunne humorously refers to as “kinda half famous” and “the Galway girl,” due to her collaboration with pop star Ed Sheeran, will lend her talents to the musical pilgrimage.
The trip will recall Dunne’s childhood and his kin, including his visually impaired uncles known as “the blind Dunnes,” who would travel nationwide performing at various events and fairs. Dunne asserts that the journey won’t be unfamiliar, as his lineage traversed in a similar manner years ago.
Dunne expressed that celebrating the lives and contributions of musicians like Johnny and Felix Doran is crucial; they have greatly influenced and inspired countless generations.
The style of playing pipes could have vanished, had it not been for them. As of now, worldwide, its enthusiasts number in thousands. When most lost interest, they preserved it,” he claimed. Dunne’s encounter with his spouse Aideen O’Rahilly, the descendant of 1916’s prominent personality, The O’Rahilly, occurred when he taught her tin whistle. With Keenan, who was amongst the initial members of The Bothy Band, he is excited to spend a fortnight journeying. Dunne stated that Keenan’s talent is extraordinary and highlighted that this aspect is often overlooked, hinting at prevalent negative views of the Traveller community. Paul Flynn, responsible for traditional arts at the Arts Council, has applauded this initiative. He said, “For many generations, the Traveller community has primarily maintained and spread the rich traditional arts of our nation”.