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Deirdre Millane.
A CLARE native who is teaching in a Tralee primary school will launch her debut album next weekend in Tralee.
Scoil Eoin, Balloonagh, teacher Deirdre Millane is from Kilmore, Co. Clare and is no stranger to the trad scene, boasting an array of prestigious awards under her belt by the tender age of 25.
A first class honours graduate of the Irish World Academy of Music in the University of Limerick, her album ‘Idir Dubh Agus Bán’ will be launched in Siamsa Tíre at 8pm on Friday, January 17. Admission is free.
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Her collaboration with Danny Collins, Rosscarbery on bodhrán and Felix Morgenstern from Berlin on snare, came about organically as they are firm friends and fellow graduates.
During the day, Deirdre is a primary school teacher which allows her to, among everything else, indulge her talent and musical creativity to the children she teaches in Scoil Eoin, Balloonagh in Tralee.
Deirdre has taken inspiration from diverse sources; her teachers at the Meitheal Summer school in Limerick and the late Prof. Michéal Ó Súilleabháin, to mention but a few.
Deirdre herself cites Ó Súilleabháin whom she studied under in The Irish World Academy in Limerick as her chief source of inspiration, both sharing a love and eclectic collection of musical tastes and genres.
Music is in Deirdre’s DNA. A love of all things Irish, including music has been passionately passed down from her Irish-speaking parents.
Deirdre tried her hand at a number of instruments including the piano accordion, tin whistle and the fiddle. However, it wasn’t until she embraced the piano that she really felt she had “come home”.
Idir Dubh Agus Bán was recorded at Raelach Records with Jack Talty in Lisseycasy, Co. Clare in early July.
As Deirdre explains; “It was an added joy to work with Jack as he is a wonderful exponent of traditional piano. His advice and well trained ear were hugely helpful.’ Deirdre, a resident pianist at Siamsa Tíre, Tralee looks forward to the 17th of January with excitement and trepidation as she prepares to launch her debut album. One must admire the sheer tenacity and devotion that Deirdre has shown in fulfilling her life – long dream. One can safely say that “this box is ticked”.
As part of the Ennis Trad Fest, Deirdre launched ‘Idir Dubh Agus Bán’ in November. It was very well received and is currently notching up air play on Lyric FM, Clare FM and Raidió na Gaeltachta.
Everyone is invited to come along and see Deirdre play ar her launch in Siamsa Tíre, Tralee on Friday, January 17.
Really Great Music.
Benny