Ciaran O Fathara : Amhrain

"Ciaran O Fathara - Amhrain" is a collection of the songs of Connemara songsmith and broadcaster Ciaran O Fatharta, edited by Sile Denvir and published by Clo Iar-Chonnachta.Ciaran O Fatharta is originally from Leitir Moir, Co.

Galway and now lives in a Cheathru Rua. He is well known for his work as a broadcaster with RTE Raidio na Gaeltachta and for his involvement in Gaelic football in Connemara.

He has also built up an excellent reputation for his songwriting skills, and "Ciaran O Fatharta - Amhrain" is a collection of 31 of his songs as well as one agallamh beirte.

The songs are generally well known in Connemara and are performed by many local artists and groups, including John Beag O Flatharta, Beairtle O Domhnaill, Cillin, Duirling and Ann Marie Nic Dhonncha, but this is the first time that the definitive versions of the songs have been published.

O Fatharta writes in a particular style that came to the fore during the eighties when the Irish economy was in the doldrums, unemployment was high and the community was badly in need of a morale boost.The songs celebrate events of both local and national interest such as the sailing tradition in Connemara, boxing hero Sean O Mainnin and the state of the roads and are sung in a style particular to Connemara, influenced by both the country and western and the sean-nos styles. The book includes the words to the songs, the notation and the background, as well as an introductory essay on this type of filiocht bheil, or oral poetry, in Connemara.