The Irish Traditional Music Archive (ITMA) has been funded and supported by the Arts Council since its foundation in 1987.
Under its Chair Prof. Kevin Rafter, Director Maureen Kennelly, and Head of Traditional Arts Paul Flynn, the Arts Council has been exceptionally supportive of our work in ITMA, the artists we work with, and the communities we serve.
When the pandemic hit in March 2020, the Arts Council enabled us to change our plans to support more artists, and to create new online series like Drawing from the Well and Saothar. In October 2020 Arts Council Director Maureen Kennelly helped launch Drawing from the Well with Catherine Martin TD, Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media.
Today to mark #ArtsCouncilat70 we share musician Steve Cooney’s episode of Drawing from the Well which connects artists and audiences with the 19th century Canon James Goodman Manuscripts. It features new interpretations of beautiful melodies with performances by Steve alongside singer Iarla Ó Lionáird and Odhrán Ó Casaide. It is an example of how the archival material we collect, preserve and make available can be put to great artistic use.
Bainigí sult as.
Comhghairdeas le cách san Chomhairle Ealaíon.
