Keskows:John Beag Ó Flatharta
English translation for Celtic Editathon
[pennfenten]John Beag Ó Flatharta is an Irish singer of country and western music and broadcaster from Leitir Mealláin (Lettermullen) in Connemara, western Ireland. He started singing in the late 1970s. From 1980 with his band Na hAncairí (The Anchors) he developed a mixture of country music and sean-nós, i.e. traditional folk music without accompaniment.
His songs follow themes of emigration, alienation and love, as well as songs about the sea, basic to evry community in Connemara. John Chóil Bhreathnaigh played accordion on the first record ‘Faoi Lán tSeoil’, but John Beag sang with variety of other musicians on the other records.
After his marriage to Ann Hargraves, they moved to live in the United States, but his wife died at a young age, leaving him with his young son, Liam. They returned to Ireland in 2007. Other records followed whilst he was working for RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta.
His most popular songs are ‘Amhran Chuigeil’ (Distaff Song – about racing the boats Galway hookers from Faoi lán tSeoil), ‘The Nazarene Song’ written by Eddie O Conghaile about a storm at sea, and ‘Amhrán Mhaínis’ (Mweenish Song, a traditional lament).
Discography
[pennfenten]| Year | Name | Label | Form | Language |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ? (rereleased in 2018) | Faoi lán tSeoil | Trad Ireland | CD, cassette | Irish, English |
| 1990 | Fiche Amhrán 1980-1990 | Cló Iar-Chonnacht | Cassette | Irish, English |
| 1990 | Ar Bord Leis na hAncairí | Cló Iar-Chonnacht | Cassette | Irish, English |
| 1992 | An Lochán | Cló Iar-Chonnacht | Cassette | Irish, English |
| 1993 | Tá an Workhouse lán | Cló Iar-Chonnacht | CD, cassette, digital download | Irish, English |
| 1994 | The Winds of Freedom | Cló Iar-Chonnacht | digital download, CD | Irish, English |
| 2010 | Coinnigh léi a sheáin | John Beag Ó Flatharta | CD | Irish, English |
| 2012 | Amigo mo mhéit | John Beag Ó Flatharta | digital download | Irish, English |
| 2017 | The Banks of Casheen Bay | John Beag Ó Flatharta | CD | Irish, English |
| 2020 | Roots n’ Raithneach | John Beag Ó Flatharta | CD | Irish, English |