Album Notes

Kiltyclogher is a small village that lies on the Leitrim/Fermanagh border, with a population of about 150 people. From this area a unique cluster of traditional Irish fiddle players has emerged over the last 80 years. Within a Mile of Kilty is a collection of recordings by these musicians from the past 40 years, collected by David Lennon.

The musicians on this album are six exceptionally talented fiddle players, and include three members of the well-known Lennon family, Ben, Charlie and Maurice. Ben and Charlie, brothers, were brought up in Kiltyclogher, and their names are known far and wide in traditional music circles. They have both recorded several albums, and in addition Charlie has received widespread critical acclaim as a composer. Maurice is Ben's son, and he was a founder member of Stockton's Wing in 1977. Séamus Quinn is from Derrygonnelly, in Co. Fermanagh, and both his father and grandfather came from Kiltyclogher. Séamus' grandfather was a well-known fiddler and was regarded by many as the most outstanding of his time. Brian Rooney was born near Kiltyclogher, and his father played fiddle and flute. He emigrated to London in the 1940s, where he became deeply involved in the traditional Irish music scene, playing with the group Sliabh Luachra. John Gordon was from Cashel, Co. Fermanagh. He was a very well-known musician, and featured in broadcasts on both BBC and RTÉ Radio. Sadly, John passed away in 2002.

There is accompaniment on the album from Altan's Ciarán Curran on cittern, Beginish's Noel O'Grady on bouzouki, Frank Kilkelly on guitar and Gabriel McArdle on concertina.