Interview: Gortaglanna

Interview: Gortaglanna

Author: Irish & Celtic Music Podcast May 17, 2024 Duration: 17:50

Interview by Mattie Lennon  IT HAPPENED IN MAY.    Before the Civil War and prior to the Truce an atrocity took place in County Kerry which

Interview by Mattie Lennon

 IT HAPPENED IN MAY.

   Before the Civil War and prior to the Truce an atrocity took place in County Kerry which has been recorded in song and story. On 12 May 1921, a troop of Black and Tans were travelling out from Listowel towards Athea when they arrested four young unarmed men in Gortaglanna. Prior to this the barracks in Listowel had been burnt out and in retaliation the troops  decided to execute the young men. The first to be shot was Jerry Lyons. When this happened, Cornelius Dee decided, as he was going to be shot anyway, to make a run for it. He ran, and almost immediately took a bullet in the thigh but managed to keep going. He ran for about three miles. He was never recaptured but remained in hiding until the truce

    In 2021 I interviewed historian, the late, Dan Keane who told me the story of the song "The Valley of Knockanure" which was written about the shootings. I’m attaching an audio clip of that interview.


Behind every great tune, there's a story waiting to be told. Irish & Celtic Music Interviews pulls up a chair for those conversations, offering a direct line to the musicians and tradition-bearers who bring this vibrant sound to life. This isn't a showcase of tracks, but a deep dive into the craft, the history, and the personal journeys that fuel the music. You'll hear from fiddlers about the old tunes passed down through generations, from singers about the ballads that tell forgotten tales, and from composers about the spark that leads to a new reel or air. Each episode feels like a casual, insightful chat, peeling back the layers of what it means to create and sustain Celtic music today. For anyone who's ever tapped a foot to a jig or been moved by a slow air, this podcast provides the rich context that makes the experience even deeper. It’s for the curious listener who wants to know not just what they're hearing, but why it matters and where it came from. Tune in to find the human heartbeat behind the melodies.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 14

Irish & Celtic Music Interviews
Podcast Episodes
[PREVIEW] Tulua Concert and Interview [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 5:00
In the summer of 2025, I led a Celtic Invasion Vacation to Wexford, Ireland. My trips are small and intimate and full of surprises, like this concert.We stopped off at our local grocery store on Tuesday to stock up. On t…
Malin Lewis Interview [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:11
Malin Lewis plays effervescent folk on a newly invented bagpipe! Malin lives in Scotland and is one of the few openly trans Celtic musiciansMalin Lewis plays effervescent folk on a newly invented bagpipe! Malin lives in…
Interview with Amelia Hogan [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:01
Show #706 of the Irish & Celtic Music Podcast features an interview with Amelia Hogan. She released her new album this month. Learn how Show #706 of the Irish & Celtic Music Podcast features an interview with Amelia Hoga…
The Wild Rover from The Harr #643 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:03:38
The Haar share the story behind their version of “The Wild Rover” on Irish & Celtic Music Podcast #643. Bonhomme Setter, Hanneke Cassel,The Haar share the story behind their version of “The Wild Rover” on Irish & Celtic…
Celtic Story: The Gothard Sisters - "Happy Sad Empty Full" [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 5:52
I interviewed The Gothard Sisters for our holiday companion podcast, Celtic Christmas Music. Afterward, I asked them to share a storyI interviewed The Gothard Sisters for our holiday companion podcast, Celtic Christmas M…
Lilting and Stories by Eimear Arkins [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:38
I loved chatting with Eimear Arkins last week. But her description of how to sing with lilting is was quite fascinating. I don't think I've I loved chatting with Eimear Arkins last week. But her description of how to sin…
Celtic Story: "Annachie Gordon" by Ashley Davis [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 8:02
This week's show features "Annachie Gordon". Ashley Davis recorded the song with singer Shawn Colvin. She shares the story of how Colvin becThis week's show features "Annachie Gordon". Ashley Davis recorded the song with…
Celtic Stories Interview with Ashley Davis [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:04
For those of you listening exclusively on Patreon, you would've missed the interview I did with Ashley Davis. We had a great conversation...For those of you listening exclusively on Patreon, you would've missed the inter…
Celtic Story: "Hard Times" by Erin Ruth [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 8:16
Erin Ruth is tells a story about her performance of the traditional song "Hard Times" and how it relates in her world. You find out more aboErin Ruth is tells a story about her performance of the traditional song "Hard T…
Celtic Story: "1924" by Vicki Swan & Jonny Dyer [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 9:30
Jonny Dyer emailed me a couple weeks ago with a new song and story. Here's what he wrote: A setting of a poem written by a Mr M Edgerley whJonny Dyer emailed me a couple weeks ago with a new song and story. Here's what h…