Boyle Arts Festival: Rath Cruachan - a new 5-Part Suite by Ronan Guilfoyle

Rath Cruachan [The King House Piano Award Commission] is a new five-part suite by Ronan Guilfoyle. This 2022 commissioned is supported by Roscommon County Council, together with the Arts Council of Ireland, in collaboration with the Boyle Arts Festival, and in association with the Contemporary Music Centre, Ireland.

Rath Cruachan, the Megalithic Celtic site almost right in the centre of Roscommon, was according to legend, where Queen Medb ruled from, and where the phantom queen The Morrigan is said to have emerged from the underworld at the cave of Owneygat.

Just as the piece is inspired by history and geography, it is also inspired by both classical and jazz music and features pianist Conor Linehan in a central role on the King House Steinway, and he will also be joined to the noted jazz musicians guitarist Phil Robson, and clarinettist Matthew Berrill. Each movement represents an aspect of Roscommon history, and/or geography, with the interaction between the players mirroring the interaction between that history and geography. The themes of the suite include Queen Medb, The Morrigan, Lough Rí, Lough Key, and Rath Cruachan itself.

Apart from the new suite, the concert will also include additional jazz and classical pieces, and the musicians will be joined by the composer in this part of the programme.

Tickets

Tickets are available via Boyle Arts Festival, booking here.