The new creative arts and music centre Stiúideo Cuan in An Spidéal, Co. Galway, will open next week with the premiere of a work by accordionist and composer Johnny Óg Connolly.

The work, titled An Cosán Draíochta, combines music, song and poetry and is a tribute to Connolly’s late father, the renowned melodeon player Johnny Connolly, who died in 2019. The work was commissioned by Stiúideo Cuan during lockdown and will be performed each night next week from Wednesday 17 November to Sunday 21 November.

An Cosán Draíochta (‘the magic path’) was the name given by the island people of Inis Bearachain (Johnny Connolly’s homeplace) to the path that emerged to the mainland during low tide. The work will be performed by Ciara Ní Bhriain (fiddle/viola), Clíodhna Ní Choisdealbha (banjo, tenor guitar and Greek bouzouki), Jim Higgins (percussion), Pádraig Ó Dubhghaill (guitar), Johnny Óg Connolly (accordion and melodeon), Seosamh Ó Neachtain (dancer) and Bríd Treasa Ní Ghaoithín (singer and actor).

The concerts will be the first public events at the new centre and will also form part of the upcoming five-day festival Féile Chois Fharraige.

Commenting on the premiere, Darach Mac Con Iomaire, Creative Director of Stiúideo Cuan, told the Journal of Music:

Listening to this new work during the rehearsal process has been an absolute joy and privilege. Working with Johnny Óg again is a real treat – his precision and attention to detail is second to none and his talent as a composer is again highlighted with this impressive new work. The wonderful ensemble of artists involved with An Cosán Draíochta guarantees that this will be something quite special. We are delighted that this new commission by Stiúideo Cuan will be the opening event of our new state-of-the-art music and arts centre here in An Spidéal.

Founded by fiddle-player, composer and pianist Charlie Lennon and fiddle-player Éilís Lennon, Stiúideo Cuan is based beside the Ceardlann craft centre in the Gaeltacht village and has recently undergone significant development to transform it from a studio only to a performance venue with a number of spaces including rehearsal and production space with recording and audio-visual post-production facilities. Among its recent productions are the short film Ben’s Departure, which focused on the passing of fiddle-player Ben Lennon. Directed by Mac Con Iomaire, it premiered at the Galway Film Fleadh during the summer. Stiúideo Cuan has also just produced a radio series presented by Liam Ó Maonlaí for RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta and last year presented the multi-disciplinary show Oró, also directed by Mac Con Iomaire. 

For tickets to An Cosán Draíochta, visit www.stiuideocuan.ie.