TG4 has launched a new series exploring archival materials from the Irish Traditional Music Archive (ITMA). Taoscadh ón Tobar is a five-part series, with each episode featuring a musician exploring the music and stories of a particular artist, collector or region. The series began last Sunday 12 May and will air on TG4 on Sunday evenings until 6 June.

Taoscadh ón Tobar is an expansion of ITMA’s online series ‘Drawing From the Well’, which was launched in 2020 with the aim of connecting musicians and artists with its rich archive and to inspire new works. 

The first episode saw fiddle player Andrea Palandri research the life and music of Sliabh Luachra fiddle master and teacher Pádraig O’Keeffe. In this episode, we see Palandri meet with musicians and researchers such as Matt Cranitch and Peter Browne. The episode also features Palandri performing with Clíodhna and Cormac Begley, Nicky McAullife and Aidan Connolly.

Andrea Palandri (Photo: TG4)

Episode two features singer Iarla Ó Lionáird exploring the songs of his home region of Baile Mhúirne, Co. Cork, as collected by Alexander Martin Freeman in the early 1900s, while episode three sees fiddle player and TV presenter Doireann Ní Ghlacáin look into the story of Dublin fiddle player Bridget Kenny. 

Later episodes feature academic and musician Seán McElwain explore the music of Sliabh Beagh, the border area between counties Tyrone, Fermanagh, and Monaghan; and singer Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh delving into the songs of Corca Dhuibhne singer Seán de hÓra. 

The first episode of Taoscadh ón Tobar, which is made in partnership with ITMA, is now available to view at www.tg4.ie.

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