Musicians float ideas about
A journey of musicians from both sides of the border sought inspiration from the quiet callows and meandering ripples along Upper Lough Erne last weekend.
The novel trip titled ‘Drift’ was commissioned by Fermanagh-based independent arts organisation, Sliabh Beagh Arts, with support funding from the Arts Council of Northern Ireland and the Halifax Community Foundation.
Located at Corranny, Sliabh Beagh Arts develops projects with the aim of addressing the social, creative, economic, cultural, environmental and good relations needs within the wider rural lakelands region, covering Fermanagh, Tyrone, Cavan and Monaghan.
Donna Bannon says the trip was inspired as a way to bring together local musicians to “retreat and reconnect with each other after Covid. To give them a chance to compose and play and find the inspiration of being together playing their instruments away from everything.”
The group of talented border musicians included composer Robert Perry (Dead Can Dance) and his multilingual multi-instrumentalist daughter Rita, artist and performer Annie June Callaghan, Cormac McCann, Stephen O’Dwyer, Rose Connolly, Patrick McCabe, Jamie Bishop, and Simon O’Reilly.
Together they travelled the inland waterway on a barge named ‘Erne Rambler’, starting off in Galloon, before eventually completing their journey at the boat drop-off point in Belturbet, where the collective disembarked and treated surprised passers-by to an impromptu riverside jazz session.
Robbie says where Covid hurt all artists; some are only now beginning to “pick up the pieces of where they left off. So this weekend was a wonderful experience, a wonderful way of bringing musicians together, in a free environment, eager to create, and to be inspired.”
By taking part Robbie became particularly conscious of how the River Erne represents an artery that has connected the border region for generations. “Not a lot of people know about the waterways, and for the people who do use them, it’s this whole living breathing organism.”
He adds that the trip allowed the musicians take a step back from their work, and instead reach out to be part of something more communal.
“What was really nice was refraining from the songs that everyone already knows, and together having the opportunity to make music that was totally new and inspired in and by the moment,” Robbie explains.
“While the boat brought us together, like a womb, and it took us from A to B, coming outside then in a new place, a new space, you don’t make music like that in this fashion very often. So that was really special.”
It’s the first time Sliabh Beagh Arts have taken on such a slow touring floating arts colab, but Donna is hoping it won’t be the last.
“Most definitely. It’s a way of slowing down life as well. It was really beautiful, and I think the musicians themselves got a lot out of it,” says Donna.