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F​í​oruisce - The Legend of the Lough

by John Spillane

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about

Fíoruisce - The Legend of the Lough

A folk opera composed by John Spillane

Produced by John Spillane and Brian Casey at Wavefield Recordings, Clonakilty in 2023 and 2024.

I’m so thrilled to present this album in honour of the Lough of Cork. The Lough is a hidden gem and a natural place of healing. Fíoruisce means springwater. This Gaelic folk opera has been a labour of love over many years.

For lots more information please visit fioruisce.ie

This story is based on the Victorian Cork fairytale Fior-usga by Thomas Cofton Croker which can be seen on a placard at the Lough. Crofton Croker’s version was first published in Fairy Legends and Traditions of the South of Ireland 1825-28. It was translated to German by the Brothers Grimm as ‘Springwasser’. My epic saga is a re-Gaelicized musical opera version of that story. I’m thrilled with the singers on this record. I hope you enjoy it as much as we enjoyed performing it.

Thanks to my manager Ciara O’ Leary Fitzpatrick for bringing this project off the shelf and into the light of day. Special thanks to the singers who put their hearts into it and brought my words to life.

I am very grateful to the many people who helped me on this long road especially Michelle O Riordan, Gearóid Ó Crualaoich, Pat Kiernan, Finn Flynn and Corcadorca Theatre Company, John O’ Brien, the Triskel Arts Centre, Lorraine Maye, Cork Midsummer Festival, Brian Casey and Sarah O’ Mahony, Mary Hickson, Donnchadh Ó Corráin, Giordaí Ó Laoghaire, Mícheál Ó Súilleabháin, Lillis Ó Laoire, Aoife Granville, Ken Ó Donnchú, Edel Fox, Alan Doherty, Roinn na Gaeilge, Coláiste na hOllscoile Corcaigh, Tomás Mac Conmara, Cork Folklore Project. Thanks to the singers who first sang these parts: Molly Lynch, Majella Cullough, Michael Grenelle, Emma Nash, Kelley Lonergan, Joe Corbett. Thanks to Áine Delaney who wrote down the score and was an enormous help in the early days of the project. An Chomhairle Ealaíon, Cork City Council Arts Office, Club Ceoil Ballyphehane, ForeFront Productions, Tony McCarthy, Barry Donnelan, Laura O’ Mahony. Huge thanks to Tony Doherty for the inspiration. Thanks to all my family, to Seán Ó Tuama, Compántas Chorcaí, Thomas Croker, an tAthair Peadar Ó Laoghaire.
John Spillane
Passage West
Spring 2024

credits

released September 13, 2024

Cast

Fíoruisce – An Banphrionsa/ The Princess, visionary, weird and beautiful - Niamh Farrell
Corc – An Rí/ The King, Corc Mac Dáire Mhic Láire of the Deirgthine, Érainn - Eoghan Ó Ceannabháin
Éadaoin - An Bhanríon/ The Queen, powerful and wise - Ríoghnach Connolly
Cian Ó Céin - Reacaire/ Minstrel /Prince/ Mananaan Mac Lir - John Spillane
Milbhéal - Banbhard/ Honeymouth the Bard in the Ancient World - Nell Ní Chróinín
Golaí Bá and Muiris Mar Dhea – Na Crosáin/ Two Fools, Bodhrán Jesters. One is crying, the other laughing - Liam Heffernan agus Giordaí Ó Laoghaire
Daighre Duanach - An Draoi/ The Druid - Gearóid Ó Duinnín
Bean Sí / A Fairy Woman – Aisling Urwin
An Chosmhuintir/ The Chorus - Gavin Moore, Thaddeus Ó Buachalla, Nell Ní Chróinín, Gearóid Ó Duinnín.

Ceolteoirí/ Musicians
Giotár Spáinneach/ Spanish Guitar - John Spillane
Séidteoir Adharc/ Hornblower, Bullroarer - Billy Mag Fhloinn
Fliúit/ Flute - Alan Doherty
Cnaguirlisí/ Percussion, Sticks and Stones - Andrew O’ Sullivan, Fionn Hennessy Hayes
Dordveidhil/ Cello - Lea Miklody
Cláirseach/ Harp - Aisling Urwin
Guthanna Breise/ Additional Vocals - Brian Casey, Aisling Urwin
Uirlisí Breise/ Additional Instrumentation - Brian Casey

Album artwork and design: Megan Clancy Creative

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John Spillane

John Spillane is a musician, songwriter, performer, storyteller, poet and dreamer. Rooted in people, place and story, his music transports the listener and his live performances captivate audiences around the world. After 20 years, John is set to release his first independent release; 100 Snow White Horses.

Recorded in London with producer John Reynolds and singer Pauline Scanlon.
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