The Inishowen Traditional Music Project has recently released an album focussing on the music of the influential fiddle-player, piano-player, dancer, composer and teacher Dinny McLaughlin. McLaughlin, from Shandrum near Buncrana in County Donegal, now in his late 70s, is responsible for teaching several generations of well-known Donegal musicians, including Ciaran Tourish from Altan, Liz Doherty, Kevin Doherty from Four Men and a Dog, Roisin McGrory, Paul Harrigan, Edel McLaughlin, Michael Carey and Jimmy McBride.

The album, titled Dinny McLaughlin: Arc of Tides, brings together some of these musicians and others to perform a selection McLaughlin’s compositions, including songs, tunes and airs. According to the sleevenotes, ‘No other single person in the Inishowen Peninsula has done more to nurture, preserve and pass on our traditional heritage than Dinny.’ 

The Inishowen Traditional Music Project was founded in 1999 with the aim of preserving and promoting traditional music in Inishowen, through teaching, workshops and concerts. 

Listen below to the title track, ‘Arc of Tides’, an air and highland written by McLaughlin and performed by him on piano with Martin Tourish on piano accordion.

For more information on the Inishowen Traditional Music Project, and to purchase the CD, visit http://www.inishowenmusic.ie/