Ceol Le Clapsolas - The Mulligan Family - Live at Highlanes Gallery (August 2020)

First released on 13 February, 2021, this was the first live-streamed performance that we presented, last summer, and to coincide with Margaret Corcoran’s solo exhibition, A Further Enquiry, Love & Independence, and where the prodigious Mulligan Family from Dundalk presented an evening performance of the finest traditional music of the region (as well as from their ancestral region) and within the stunning exhibition.
The Mulligan family name is synonymous with Irish Music extending back five generations. Alphie comes from a family of musicians where a love of Irish music, language and culture was instilled in them by both his father TP Mulligan from Boornacoola Co. Leitrim and his mother Catherine from Beale, Co. Kerry. In a household where regular faces included Séamus Ennis and Tommy Reck, it is unsurprising that Alphie took up the uilleann pipes. His own set was made by renowned pipemaker Leo Rowsome and once owned by Felix Doran. Alphie attended classes in the Thomas Street Pipers’ Club, Na Píobairí Uilleann who also tutored his brother Néillidh Mulligan.
After moving to Dundalk Co. Louth with his brother Tom, Alphie met Barbara Nelson of Lordship, Jenkinstown, a set dancer, with a passion for Irish music that was first instilled in her family through her great-grandmother Mary O’Reilly, a concertina player form Balleagry, Rathconrath, Co Westmeath.
Their children Sabhbh, Tadhg and Sárán all play and attended classes locally with CCÉ Dhún Dealgan and the Armagh Pipers Club. Sabhbh went to Bronagh Needham for the flute and particularly enjoys the Leitrim style of flute playing championed by John Mc Kenna. Tadhg learned the fiddle with Austin Dawe and now plays, pipes, bouzouki and most recently a hardanger fiddle. Sárán plays the concertina and attended lessons with Mícheál Ó Raghallaigh.
Musical gatherings with their extended family played an integral part in the Mulligan children’s musical development with regular sessions in their uncle Tom’s 'The Cobblestone Pub' alongside cousins and uncles alike.
The family are regular attendees at many music festivals and take every opportunity to play music together at home in Dundalk, Dublin and further afield.
Please note - this performance was presented within the Covid-19 government guidelines, with a small live audience present in the gallery, as well as those tuning in to the Livestream.
Highlanes Gallery is grateful for the ongoing financial support of Louth County Council, the Arts Council, as well as Patrons, Benefactors and Friends.
Recorded and filmed by Bang Bang Visual, Brian Connolly & Team.
@artscouncilireland @louthcoco