A passion for music

There's traditional music coursing through her veins and from an early age Carrol Behan's passion for music made her stand out from her siblings.

Born in Tubber, Carrol recalled she was “the oldest of six, five girls and one boy and I was the only one that insisted on walking for lessons every Friday night.â€

Despite the fearful walk home alone in the dark, Carrol wouldn't be deterred from her lessons with Piper Willie Reynolds.

“I just desperately wanted to play, I suppose,†Carrol explained. “They (her brother and sisters) weren't into it at all and it was just like the strain was on me all along to carry it on,†she remarked.

And carried it on she has as Carrol and Kenmare fiddle player Gerry Harrington have recently opened Moore Traditional Music Academy Athlone, which they operate in Moore Community Centre.

Carrol's background is steeped in traditional music and her grandfather was the whistle player and bagpiper, Pat Brady, from Killeigh in Co. Offaly. Following her early lessons Carrol went on to study piano at Moate Secondary School. The accomplished organ, whistle and flute player has been teaching traditionally music for 30 years and is an experienced session musician.

She settled down in Taughmaconnell, Co. Roscommon after meeting her husband, the folk singer and guitarist, Eamon Behan, who teaches in Our Lady's Bower in Athlone. The couple have three girls Bláithín, Gráinne and Dairíne who were All Ireland dance champions recently. The girls play cello, violin, viola, flute and whistle. While living in Taughmaconnell, Carrol became aware of a school nearby where children were taught music from a young age using the Suzuki method.

“I always had it in my head that we need the same standard of teaching traditionally,†she explained.

Carrol's family, having being involved with Maura McLoughlin and Music Matters Galway for nine years, saw how that high standard of teaching worked for her children and others and she decided to set up her own school. She felt that there was a lack of instruction in fiddle playing in the locality and decided to approach a very accomplished traditional musician.

“We have been extremely fortunate to have secured an amazing fiddle player and teacher - Kenmare's Gerry Harrington. Gerry is a leading exponent of fiddle music. His early influences were the likes of Connie O'Connell and Dennis McMahon,†she remarked.

Gerry and Carrol's years of teaching and playing Irish music provide a wealth of expertise and experience to help young students on their musical journey. They are committed to bringing Irish music into the lives and homes of students young and old in the surrounding area.

Their common belief is that a passion for music and a passion for playing an instrument well, can be a source of great pleasure and wellbeing in life. Carrol's motto is, “if you want to be good at something, you have to do it with passion.â€

Carrol and Gerry would like to be a conduit for the other existing organisations teaching music in the area such as MusicMatters, Comhaltas and the Pipers Club.

So far their enthusiasm has caught on, according to Carrol. She has been thrilled by the positive response the academy has enjoyed since it opened its doors last Easter.

“It's absolutely huge, every day there is phonecalls and emails. We have about 60 students,†she said. The students are young and old and in some cases parents are attending with their children in order to share the experience, Carrol explained.

Moore Traditional Music Academy Athlone on the Athlone to Ballinasloe Road provides students with instruction in the fiddle, mandolin, banjo, whistle, traditional flute, piano and keyboard. Students can avail of tuition either privately or in a small group. There is also an instrument loan in operation which has proved to be very encouraging. Students are provided with the opportunity to learn new tunes, improve technique, discover how to play by ear and also to sight read.  

The school is designed to provide all students with the opportunities to learn and perform in varied settings in a fun and relaxed and welcoming environment. It endeavours to provide a unique learning experience that is both effective, enjoyable, affordable and fun.

Carrol and Gerry can also provide group master lessons during the summer months and arrange accommodation for foreign students. Classes would include local tours of historical interest and traditional sessions in Ballinasloe.

For more information Contact Carrol Behan on 087 6454206, email woollygoslings@gmail.com or Gerry Harrington on 087 9253115, website gerrymharrington.com or email
gerrymharrington@gmail.com