Robbie McMahon To Be Honoured On The Big Screen

A film tribute to traditional singer Robbie McMahon will have its first screening at Cois na hAbhna, Ennis, Sunday night 21st March 2010. “Last Night As I Lay Dreaming” documents the huge contribution the Spancilhill man has made to the world of singing down through the years, both through his own compositions and his unique interpretation of traditional songs. “There is no doubt but that Robbie McMahon is a Legend” says Frank Whelan of the Cois na hAbhna Archive, who produced the film. “Anyone who knows Robbie or has had the good fortune to hear him sing will have to agree with that. In this piece we’ve tried to honour the man as best we can, which is not an easy thing to do because there is so much to Robbie McMahon. There’s Robbie the singer, of course, but then there’s Robbie the songwriter, a genius for the comic turn of phrase. Then there’s Robbie the entertainer, because he’s a great showman and of course as anyone around Spancilhill will tell you, there’s Robbie the great neighbour and friend!.” The film, directed by Ray Conway, features interviews with those who have known Robbie over the years as well as contributions that set his achievements in a wider context, highlighting the important role the singer and songwriter traditionally played in their local communities, recording events and keeping that memory alive for future generations. As well as being supported by Comhaltas Ceolteoiri Eireann, “Last Night As I Lay Dreaming” received funding from the Arts Office of Clare County Council, through its Traditional Music Initiative supported by the Arts Council. According to Siobhan Mulcahy, Clare County Arts Officer “Clare County Council was delighted to support this initiative in recognition of one of our own, Robbie McMahon, one of the very best and one who will no doubt inspire for many generations to come. This documentary captures the essence of Robbie and in many ways the essence of Clare, a county of music.” For further information contact Frank Whelan at 086 8260300 or email ceoltrad@eircom.net
Links:
Robbie McMahon singing at the Fair of Spanchilhill, June 2009 Click here...
Robbie McMahon on Clare FM's Kitchen Sessions Click here...