About the Book
Compositions of Tommy Whelan: Traditional Irish Music Dance Tunes
Dive into the rich world of Irish traditional music with this new publication celebrating the legacy of Tommy Whelan (1879-1951), a legendary flute player and composer from Kylebrack, Ballinakill, Loughrea, Co. Galway. Whelan was a founding member of the celebrated Ballinakill Traditional Players, which evolved into the Ballinakill Céilí Band, known for their influential recordings during the 1920s and 1930s.
This book, meticulously compiled by Galway musician Seán Moloney, not only transcribes Tommy's compositions into staff notation but also includes a detailed biography, rare photographs, and a CD of home recordings. These recordings were captured by Seán of his father, Eddie Moloney (1919-1980), who learned directly from Whelan in his youth.
The biographical insights were enriched by contributions from Eddie Moloney and Seán O’Donnell, Tommy's grandson, who still resides in Kylebrack. Additionally, the book sheds light on the musical collaboration between Tommy and Stephen Moloney, Eddie's father, another founding member of the Ballinakill Traditional Players.
Some of Tommy’s tunes had previously featured in the 2015 archival CD Eddie Moloney – Master Musician, curated by Seán. This exposure sparked the realization of the breadth of Tommy Whelan's compositional work, leading to the transcription and publication of this collection. The book presents 20 tunes, including 10 well-known pieces that have made their mark in the traditional music scene, alongside 10 lesser-known gems eagerly awaited by enthusiasts of Irish music.
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About the Author
Seán Moloney is a Flute Player from Galway, Ireland. He is from a long line of traditional Irish flute players going back five generations. He is one of the few remaining musicians with the Ballinakill East Galway regional style of flute playing.