By the time Matt moved from his home in Ballaghadereen Co. Roscommon in the mid 1960s he had already gained a reputation for his musical ability on the flute, amassing a string of successes at the Fleadh and Oireachtas competitions. Once in Dublin he quickly became a leading figure in the bourgeoning music scene. A founder member of The Bothy Band, Matt also spent a short period with Planxty. He has enjoyed enduring and powerful musical relationships with many musicians including Liam O'Flynn, Seán Keane, Paul Brady, Tommy Peoples, Mícheál Ó Súilleabháin, and Dónal Lunny.

Ranging from earliest musical experiences, to sage advice to young people, to hopes for the future of the tradition, SAOITHE offers in-depth conversations with seven of Ireland’s most influential and outstanding tradition bearers. The long-format Q&A style interviews, with performance and illustrative archival recordings, expand our understanding of these artists by exploring their influences and by seeking out their personal philosophies as traditional artists.

The fortnightly series has already featured Sarah Ghriallais, Christy Moore, Catherine McEvoy and Frankie Gavin and these videos are freely available to watch online at: Facebook page and YouTube channel.

SAOITHE is an extension of ITMA’s online archival series Drawing from the Well which is available to watch here: VIEW Drawing from the Well