Comments

Séamus O'Kane, Bodhrán - Ceirde an Cheoil: TG4 - Sunday 13th March 2005

Séamus O'Kane, Bodhrán - Ceirde an Cheoil: TG4 - Sunday 13th March 2005

I'm not sure how relevant this is for for anyone who doesn't get TG4, but for those who do, the "Ceirde an Cheoil" (Craft of the Music) documentary will be shown Séamus O'Kane on Sunday 13th March 2005 (this Sunday) at 10pm. Here's what the:

http://www.openhousefestival.com/events/Gigs/Film_SeamusOKane.asp

site said about the launch of it. "From Dungiven in Co. Derry, Séamus O'Kane is not only a great bodhran player but he is also a great bodhran maker. This film explores his life as a master craftsman and among the many who play his drums is Flook member, John Joe Kelly from Manchester, arguably the best bodhran player of them all. Made by Belfast film-maker, Méabh O'Hare, and produced by Conor Byrne, as part of their Ceirde an Cheoil / Craft of the Music series. Duration 26 mins". Hope you enjoy it.

# Posted on March 10th 2005 by Murrough

Re: Séamus O'Kane, Bodhrán - Ceirde an Cheoil: TG4 - Sunday 13th March 2005

I play bodhran and I live in the US, and therefore will miss U.K. or Irish "telly." I would love to hear about this show from anyone that feels inclined to post about it here.

Anyone have Séamus O'Kane Bodhrans? I visited his web site recently and see he is not taking anymore orders. I have an excellent bodhran adapted to non tentative sessions with louder instruments, including pipes. I am looking for a smaller bodhran. I'm interested in what others are playing (bodhran maker, size, single or double head, depth of rim, type of wood, etc..). Best Wishes.

# Posted on March 10th 2005 by CeolCairdeas

Re: Séamus O'Kane, Bodhrán - Ceirde an Cheoil: TG4 - Sunday 13th March 2005

This is bound to be an excellent documentary and a bit of a rare chance to see such a great bodhrán maker at work.

I'd definitely recommend watching this if you can get it - this Sunday night (13th) at 10pm.

# Posted on March 10th 2005 by searai

Re: Séamus O'Kane, Bodhrán - Ceirde an Cheoil: TG4 - Sunday 13th March 2005

CeolCairdeas, thanks, you've just reminded me that I have to update the website with pictures of the new tuning system. Had to get a new laptop there as my last one was acting up, so must get busy adding all the new stuff to the site.

He's heading off to Dallas, Texas now tomorrow to play music at a festival over there. I think he'll be over until St Patrick's Day anyhow.

# Posted on March 10th 2005 by Murrough

Re: Séamus O'Kane, Bodhrán - Ceirde an Cheoil: TG4 - Sunday 13th March 2005

Hey there,

Am looking forward to seeing that, I've played a few of the Bodhrans that Seamus made, and have heard many great comments from other owners.

It'll be good to get an insight into how they are made so well

# Posted on March 11th 2005 by malDeDe

Re: Séamus O'Kane, Bodhrán - Ceirde an Cheoil: TG4 - Sunday 13th March 2005

I've seen some of his drums and they are very good, but you still can't beat Eamon Maguire, literally if you know him.

And there is an "arguably best bodhran player" who uses one of Eamon's drums, and if Bill Clinton is on this site I don't mean you.

# Posted on March 11th 2005 by bodhran bliss

Re: Séamus O'Kane, Bodhrán - Ceirde an Cheoil: TG4 - Sunday 13th March 2005

Big Eamonn's a great man. Some craic!

# Posted on March 11th 2005 by Murrough

Re: Séamus O'Kane, Bodhrán - Ceirde an Cheoil: TG4 - Sunday 13th March 2005

When are they going to make a documentery aboud Brendan White?

# Posted on March 11th 2005 by fiddlenils

Re: Séamus O'Kane, Bodhrán - Ceirde an Cheoil: TG4 - Sunday 13th March 2005

I haven't a clue... You'd need to ask the good people at TG4 that. I was just saying that this show was going to be on on Sunday is all :S for anyone who'd be interested.

# Posted on March 11th 2005 by Murrough

Re: Séamus O'Kane, Bodhrán - Ceirde an Cheoil: TG4 - Sunday 13th March 2005

Had the opportunity to play with the famous Seamus on many an occassion and all I can say is..................Go on ye boy ye. What a fantastic player he is, and no comparison can be drawn between himself and the Boul Eamon. That would be like comparing Paddy Carty with Gary Hastings. Both tasteful players but with totally different styles. Seamus is also one of the nicest people I know, good craic and with manners to spare for everyone he meets. If you think he`s a good musician you want to hear his son Ruairi on the fiddle. Magic !!

# Posted on March 11th 2005 by wreckin` rea

Re: Séamus O'Kane, Bodhrán - Ceirde an Cheoil: TG4 - Sunday 13th March 2005

Don't think much of that other son, whatsisname? Murk?

:¬)

Nah, Murrough is a top flute player, or so he says.

You can beat me up later Murrough!

Conán

# Posted on March 11th 2005 by Conán McDonnell

Re: Séamus O'Kane, Bodhrán - Ceirde an Cheoil: TG4 - Sunday 13th March 2005

Saw Murrough play whistle on Geanntrai - mighty stuff !

# Posted on March 11th 2005 by BegF

Re: Séamus O'Kane, Bodhrán - Ceirde an Cheoil: TG4 - Sunday 13th March 2005

Ha ha, aye I agree Conán, I think he's crap too!

# Posted on March 11th 2005 by Murrough

Re: Séamus O'Kane, Bodhrán - Ceirde an Cheoil: TG4 - Sunday 13th March 2005

Speaking of big Eamonn, I see he's taking a walking tour this Sunday too, called "Eamonn Maguire's Black Mountain Walk", as part of Féile an Phobail in Belfast. I'd say that would be good craic. There's a seisiun after also with Sheenagh Weir on the flute, Cailín Weir on the bouzouki and vocals and Bronagh Graham on banjo.

See the second listing on:

http://www.feilebelfast.com/daybyday/2005/March/13

# Posted on March 11th 2005 by Murrough

Re: Séamus O'Kane, Bodhrán - Ceirde an Cheoil: TG4 - Sunday 13th March 2005

Bodhran Bliss: If Bill Clinton was playing the bodhran, you would have to be careful in recognizing the stick he was playing with. ;-)

John Joe Kelly of Flook has a very interesting range of rhythm and tone. All of which is an equal mix with the other musicians. Great band!

# Posted on March 11th 2005 by CeolCairdeas

Re: Séamus O'Kane, Bodhrán - Ceirde an Cheoil: TG4 - Sunday 13th March 2005

Sometimes a bodhran stick is just a bodhran stick.

# Posted on March 11th 2005 by Phantom Button

Re: Séamus O'Kane, Bodhrán - Ceirde an Cheoil: TG4 - Sunday 13th March 2005

Unless it's a tipper.

# Posted on March 11th 2005 by Zina Lee

Re: Séamus O'Kane, Bodhrán - Ceirde an Cheoil: TG4 - Sunday 13th March 2005

I got to play searai's new O'Kane bodhran. Very nice drum. Yer a lucky girl searai. I'd ask you to leave it to me in your will, but you'll probably outlive me by 50 years.

(But that means you can have my harp.)

# Posted on March 11th 2005 by Kerri Brown

Re: Séamus O'Kane, Bodhrán - Ceirde an Cheoil: TG4 - Sunday 13th March 2005

I never said Eamon could play a drum.(I hope this site is anonymous)
But he can't half make a drum.

# Posted on March 11th 2005 by bodhran bliss

Re: Séamus O'Kane, Bodhrán - Ceirde an Cheoil: TG4 - Sunday 13th March 2005

Unless you are traditional and call the bodhran drum stick a "cipin." I had a friend that kept mixing up cipin and tipper, and was calling it a kipper. I had to keep telling her that a kipper was a fish that would make a wet smacking sound up side a bodhran and make it smell fishy. ;-)

# Posted on March 11th 2005 by CeolCairdeas

Re: Séamus O'Kane, Bodhrán - Ceirde an Cheoil: TG4 - Sunday 13th March 2005

"I did not have rythmic relations with that instrument!"

- Bill Clinton

# Posted on March 12th 2005 by Murrough

Re: Séamus O'Kane, Bodhrán - Ceirde an Cheoil: TG4 - Sunday 13th March 2005

I've just realised on how many different levels, that last post was wrong - (desperately looks for the "delete" or "undo" post button). Just to clarify, I was innocently joking about Bill Clinton not playing one of my Da's bodhráns (to my knowledge anyhow). Umm, quick subject change... yeah, Méabh and Conor made a great job of the documentary and I hope they keep up the great work. Fair play and credit to them!

# Posted on March 12th 2005 by Murrough

Re: Séamus O'Kane, Bodhrán - Ceirde an Cheoil: TG4 - Sunday 13th March 2005

Well, Murrough, I suppose that bodhran playing in general could be improved by strict adherence to the rhythm method over the global bodhran community...

# Posted on March 12th 2005 by Zina Lee

Re: Séamus O'Kane, Bodhrán - Ceirde an Cheoil: TG4 - Sunday 13th March 2005

and so it begins...

# Posted on March 12th 2005 by Murrough

Re: Séamus O'Kane, Bodhrán - Ceirde an Cheoil: TG4 - Sunday 13th March 2005

Just found the official "RTÉ - TV Guide" listing for it, from their online guide http://www.rte.ie/arts/tvradio.html :

"22:00 - Ceird An Cheoil - Documentary examining the place of the bodhran in Irish music over the last 50 years, following bodhran maker Seamus O'Kane through the various stages of his work"

So at least I haven't got the dates messed up anyhow, that would have been embarressing.

# Posted on March 12th 2005 by Murrough

Re: Séamus O'Kane, Bodhrán - Ceirde an Cheoil: TG4 - Sunday 13th March 2005

Got the "Tuning" (tensioning) system page updated on the:

http://www.tradcentre.com/seamus website.

Click on the "Tuning" button. Pictures of the bodhrán Seamus made, now ownded by Barra McCrory from Belfast (shown in the film documentary) are now on this page of the website. An instrument for the history books, along with Ted Furey's drum (pics of it also on the site, along with pics of the "New Single Adjuster Tensioning System"

Enjoy!

# Posted on March 13th 2005 by Murrough

Re: Séamus O'Kane, Bodhrán - Ceirde an Cheoil: TG4 - Sunday 13th March 2005

Murrough: the new tuning system sounds like a major innovation. Thanks for the information. Are the newly made bodhrans available yet with this system? Best Wishes. ;-)

# Posted on March 13th 2005 by CeolCairdeas

Re: Séamus O'Kane, Bodhrán - Ceirde an Cheoil: TG4 - Sunday 13th March 2005

Murrough, could you get that pop-up saying "no new orders" only to happen when someone tries to place an order? I got it every time I linked to a fresh page of the site.

Sorry I missed the show. If you taped it, you should send a copy to Shari and we can pop some corn and give it a viewing.

# Posted on March 13th 2005 by Kerri Brown

(On second thought, better make it a DVD - I don't think European video works over here.)

# Posted on March 13th 2005 by Kerri Brown

Re: Séamus O'Kane, Bodhrán - Ceirde an Cheoil: TG4 - Sunday 13th March 2005

Hi Kerry, sorry I was instructed by my Da to have it come up straight away, so that people won't go to the trouble of filling out an order form, entering all their details, only to be disappointed to have a message come up to inform them that they won't be able to order until the massive back-log of orders are completed. I think it's only fair on a person going to order. Also, I know that it is annoying to have the pop-up appear on every page... but due to the nature of websites, people sometimes/ alot of the time enter a site at different pages within the site, so the only way to convey the message absolutely clearly that Seamus can't take any new orders for now is to have it on all pages, to avoid ambiguity. The show isn't on until another few hours 10pm here in Ireland, but I'll see if I can find a video lying around and tape it.

Regards, Murrough

# Posted on March 13th 2005 by Murrough

Re: Séamus O'Kane, Bodhrán - Ceirde an Cheoil: TG4 - Sunday 13th March 2005

Hi Ceol Cairdeas, yes the "New Single Adjuster Tensioning System" has been in production by my Father for over a year now, as well as the "Eight Turnable Tensioning Pegs System". Both Systems are still in great demand, hence the back-log of orders. Glad the information was of help to you. I have to admit that the new Single Adjuster Tensioning System is a great job. Both are systems are a great job, the Single Adjuster Tensioning System saves time though, more efficient I suppose!

Enjoy the show all who have TG4... 3 hours to curtain! :)

Feel free to post your comments on it.

# Posted on March 13th 2005 by Murrough

Re: Séamus O'Kane, Bodhrán - Ceirde an Cheoil: TG4 - Sunday 13th March 2005

Thank you Murrough for the information. Best Wishes. ;-)

# Posted on March 13th 2005 by CeolCairdeas

Re: Séamus O'Kane, Bodhrán - Ceirde an Cheoil: TG4 - Sunday 13th March 2005

Do tape it Murrough - but we won't be able to watch it here, so tape it and stick it on a shelf so it will be there the next time Shari and I happen to be passing through Derry. :)

# Posted on March 14th 2005 by Kerri Brown

Re: Séamus O'Kane, Bodhrán - Ceirde an Cheoil: TG4 - Sunday 13th March 2005

Great job indeed on the programme by all involved. Good set by the three O'Kane lads.
T'was funny over on Inis Óirr in the summer when Séamus arrived into the pub on his first night, everyone wanted a piece of him, he nearly legged it. The footage of 'Craiceann' showed just how crazy the sessions get over there - melody players heaven!

# Posted on March 14th 2005 by jdcorcra

Re: Séamus O'Kane, Bodhrán - Ceirde an Cheoil: TG4 - Sunday 13th March 2005

First time I've seen Seamus play and it was lovely, albeit a different style from myself. I would say he is playing the bass guitar bit on a bass drum, although that is an over simplification. Excellent player.
I tend to play an awful(sic) lot more notes, maybe I am a jazz bass player.

I was horrified to see hundreds of bodhran players learning rhythms without music. This usually means they don't listen to the music when playing at sessions, and would explain why they find it well nigh impossible to adapt to a change in the music. I mean it's like learning all the golf swings in the house, it's a bit harder out there on the course when things change.

A good programme though. As for tunable bodhrans, I keep thinking all that tuning must be damaging the skin, although this is not based on scientific fact, it's just me.

Having watched the unobtrusive, excellent Seamus, I have decided not to confess that I used to play the bodhran and cossack dance at the same time.

# Posted on March 14th 2005 by bodhran bliss

Re: Séamus O'Kane, Bodhrán - Ceirde an Cheoil: TG4 - Sunday 13th March 2005

Great Quote "when I started making Bodhrans I'd never seen one" (sic) and Jon Joe Kelly no longer plays an O Kane drum, he hasnt for years, the one with the hole in the rim is not made in Ireland at all. Lovely to see Ronan O Snodaigh playing an old snare drum & getting a great sound out of it.

?have you seen the the rest of the series of Ceirde an Cheoil? lots of back slapping if you ask me?

and hasn't Mark Murphy got a beer belly nowadays !

# Posted on March 16th 2005 by Red Crow

Re: Séamus O'Kane, Bodhrán - Ceirde an Cheoil: TG4 - Sunday 13th March 2005

the series Ceirde an Cheoil is a great production. what do you mean by "back slapping" Red Crow? I think meabh and conor achieved exactly what they set out to achieve when making this programme - that is - giving these great musicians and instrument makers the recognition they deserve, as talented craftsmen. they are also really nice people (the instrument makers shown in the series), so Im sure they couldnt help BUT show them in a great light! not back slapping if you ask me. maybe I have picked you up wrong!? ;-P

# Posted on March 16th 2005 by Britney Spears

Re: Séamus O'Kane, Bodhrán - Ceirde an Cheoil: TG4 - Sunday 13th March 2005

"TAXI FOR RED CROW!!!"

# Posted on March 16th 2005 by Murrough

Re: Séamus O'Kane, Bodhrán - Ceirde an Cheoil: TG4 - Sunday 13th March 2005

ha ha

# Posted on March 23rd 2005 by Britney Spears

Not a member yet? Sign up!

forgotten your password?

Frequently Asked Questions

Enter your email address to have your password sent to you.