Pór
Pór is a word I found in the publication, ‘Last of the Name’, by Charles McGlinchey. It is a word in Irish he used to describe families who were musical, “a breed of people who had the music in them”.

Charles McGlinchey (1861- 1954) was from Meentagh Glen, Clonmany, Inishowen, County Donegal. He spoke Irish and later taught himself how to

Pór
Pór is a word I found in the publication, ‘Last of the Name’, by Charles McGlinchey. It is a word in Irish he used to describe families who were musical, “a breed of people who had the music in them”.

Charles McGlinchey (1861- 1954) was from Meentagh Glen, Clonmany, Inishowen, County Donegal. He spoke Irish and later taught himself how to read English. He was a weaver and tailor by trade but is famed for his recollections of life and folklore in his native place. I was intrigued by his recounting of songs, poems, and events in his area, and how music was central to many occasions. Although not musical himself, he had a respect and a value on how music was central to life, and we are indebted to him for preserving so much of our heritage.
I am grateful to have been surrounded by so many musicians and singers who have carried on this tradition. The music and songs have survived through many turbulent years giving us an insight into our social history. We are indebted to those who kept the music alive, through political, economic, and social challenges.

Every musician has a unique story to tell, why they play, who inspired them, who taught them and what music means to them. All the composers on this album share this connection, a link that ties them back through generations of music. I am grateful to the composers who have shared their compositions with me and have allowed me to record their music.
Roisin McGrory, 2023

The composers:
Dinny McLaughlin is a legendary character in Inishowen. Dinny now in his late eighties is a devoted cultural ambassador for music, song, and dance. He has played a pivotal role in passing on the tradition that has shaped the cultural landscape of the peninsula. A celebrated musician, dancer, teacher, and composer, Dinny was encouraged to play by his father who was also a fiddle and melodion player.

Edel McLaughlin from Burnfoot, Inishowen, was introduced to music through her parents. Edel can trace the music back through many generations on both sides of her family who lived in Inishowen and through those who emigrated. Edel studied music at the University College Cork and at the University of Limerick.

Ella McGrory from Culdaff, is my daughter. She has just recently graduated in music from University Limerick. Still in her twenties she is carrying on the music tradition from both lines of the family. Like her grandfather John Joe McGrory and great-grandfather Jim Harrigan she plays both the fiddle and piano.

Mick Denieffe is originally from Thomastown, County Kilkenny and has lived in Buncrana for over 40 years. Growing up, Mick was immersed in music with the Thomastown Ceili band, which consisted of family members and neighbours, all living within a one-mile radius of him. Since moving to Inishowen Mick has been active collecting, teaching, and composing music.

Oisin Duffy from Moville is a gifted young fiddle, flute player and composer. Encouraged to play by his parents who both have music in their families. The love of fiddle playing came from Oisin’s father Garret, also a fiddle player, preceding Garret his great-grand father Dan Doherty was a noted fiddle player.

Paul Harrigan and I grew up in Burnfoot, however Paul now lives in Letterkenny where he runs his music school Ceol na Coille. Paul is an accomplished uilleann piper and piano accordion player and is acknowledged for his composition and arrangements in many collaborative projects. Paul’s introduction to music like my own came through our parent’s encouragement. It was through our uncle Johnny Grant that Paul was introduced to piano accordion. On both sides of our family music and singing was a big part of life.

Paul McClure from Buncrana grew up in a house filled with music. Now living in Galway Paul is a full-time musician playing both piano accordion and bodhran. He has toured extensively and worked on many collaborations. He is also a noted teacher and composer. Paul’s introduction to music came through his mother Teresa McClure a noted music teacher who is responsible for keeping the music alive in the Inishowen area over the past forty years. Teresa developed her love of music from her parents and their parents before them who were singers and musicians.

Paula & Melaine Houton are sisters from Portaleen, Malin. Paula plays flute and whistle, and Melanie is a fiddle player. Encouraged to play by their parents they carry on a strong musical heritage from both sides of their family. Their grandparents and great grandparents’ homes were local céilí houses. Now living in Belfast, they continue the tradition by playing and teaching music in the city.

Shane Devlin from Clonmany was encouraged by his parents to learn music. Shane’s mother and aunt both played music and this was encouraged in turn by their father Oweny Kelly who was a noted singer and recorded many big nights in the area. Shane now lives in Galway and is active in the music scene in the West.

Thomas Strain is from Ballyderown, Burnfoot and along with his brother James who played piano accordion and uilleann pipes, was introduced to music at an early age. It is on his father’s side of the family that Thomas can trace a musical lineage back through his father, to his father’s cousins, his grandmother, and his father’s uncle Jimmy Downey who played and made fiddles.