Happy New Year, folks! I hope your holidays were fulfilling and relaxing. The world of traditional music promises a bunch of exciting things to come in the new year, and one of them is the imminent return of the traditional music series “Geantraí” to TG4.
For 17 years, “Geantraí” was the face of the Irish music tradition on television. Its story starts in 1996, with the creation of Telefís na Gaeilge (or “TnaG”), when the show was part of its early schedule. Its first three seasons were shot in studios in different parts of Ireland and featured musicians local to the studios with a rotating cast of presenters. But around the time the station was rebranded “TG4” in 1999, the nature of “Geantraí” changed. Breandán Ó Beaglaoich became the show’s regular host (he remained in that position until 2004) and instead of a studio setting the show was shot in pubs, not just in Ireland, but in England, Scotland, and the U.S. as well. This new moveable setting was a brilliant way of capturing the live spirit of a session wherever they took place and putting a new sort of spotlight the connection musicians and listeners have in those spaces.
The show went off the air in 2013, but it did an excellent job of conveying the “realness” of social music-making in those days, and every indication says it will do so again.
“Geantraí serves as a platform for both distinguished and emerging artists rooted in Ireland's music tradition,” the show’s press release explains, “as well as paying tribute to the musicians and publicans that have helped to keep traditional arts and sessions alive to this day.”
The show’s new host is Ciarán Ó Gealbháin, who would appear to be an ideal choice for the job. A sean-nós singer and accordion player, he comes from An Sean Phobal in the Déise Gaeltacht of County Waterford. He was an early member of the great band Danú, did his doctoral work on the song traditions in Waterford, and in addition to hosting Geantraí, he lectures in the Béaloideas and Folklore programs at University College Cork.
Ó Gealbháin’s at the helm at Ó Céilleachair’s Pub in Kilfinane, Co. Limerick, the location for the new season’s first episode, and features the music of Derek Hickey, Liam Flanagan, Claire O’Loughlin, Ciara Flanagan, María Ryan, Lucia McPartlin, Anita Bennis, Donie Nolan, Macdara Ó Faoláin, and Seán Ó Fearghaíl. I had the opportunity to preview the episode and it is superb. It opens with a brilliant session with Hickey (accordion), Liam Flanagan (fiddle), and Ó Faoláin (bouzouki). There is a pair of segments that feature the dual fiddles of Mac Partlin and Ryan stand out in particular – they’re incredible musicians and their music is absolutely enchanting. There is a bit of lovely whistling from Bennis (who appears in a segment with Seán Ó Fearghaíl, both playing fiddle earlier on), and at one point Ó Gealbháin sings a brilliant, engaging version of “An Máistir Scoile agus an Scológ.” The music is just incredible, as is the location and overall presentation.
The list of musicians for the rest of the season is long and fascinating and while it includes lots of people whose music I am very familiar with, there are many I’ll only just be learning of. Future episodes will take place in pubs in Ballisodare, Sligo; Upperchurch, Tipperary; Dunkineely, Donegal; Ring, Waterford; Banagher, Offaly; Timoleague, Cork; Kilkenny; Prosperous, Kildare; Fairymount, Roscommon; Scotstown, Moneghan; Hollywood, Wicklow; and Navan, Meath. I can’t wait to check them out, and if you’re interested in traditional music played well – or if you’re connected with any of those places – you’ll definitely want to tune in.
Something to remember: Geantraí broadcasts in the Irish language. Bear in mind that there are subtitles for non-Irish speaking viewers and they’re very well done, so this shouldn’t be a deterrent for English-speaking viewers, especially since the music will be so very, very good.
So, welcome back “Geantraí!” The show is like gold for traditional music lovers and TG4 makes viewing convenient. The new series had its soft launch on Christmas Day, with a re-broadcast of last year’s “Geantraí na Nollag,” but the first of the 13 new episodes premiers on Sunday, Jan. 7 at 10.30pm Irish time and can be watched live or on demand through the TG4 Player at https://www.tg4.ie/.
And yes, I know it can be difficult to keep up with the happenings on Irish television, but fortunately “Geantraí” has a robust social media presence that makes it easy to include show notifications in your online environment. You can follow the program on Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and TikTok at the handle @geantraitg4, and on Facebook at @Geantraí. Happy viewing!
