Darach O Cathain

Tomas Ban Mac Aogain * Caorigh Na Japs * Baile Ui Lai * Maire Ni Ghriofa * An Gabha Ceartan * An Beinnsin Luachra * An Sceilpin Draighneach * Caislean Ui Neill * Donnachadh Ban * Sail Og Rua * Ta Na Paipeir A Saighneal * An Caisideach Ban * Oro Se Do Bheatha Abhaile.

Darach Ó Catháin may not nowadays be so well known. He died in 1987 and recorded little.

The first singer with Ó Riada’s Ceoltóirí Chualann, he only made this one full album. We have reason to be grateful to Gael-Linn for making it once more available, as Darach was the Daddy of all the sean-nós singers.

Completely untamed, his singing is words and music combined to become something that is much more than the sum of the parts.

Darach spent most of his life in Leeds where he was known as Dudley Kane, but until his death his use of English was halting. Similarly, his singing remained true to the singing he first heard from his mother in Connemara.