Traditional Music In Focus

There has been a call to put more resources into the traditional arts in Northern Ireland.

A Sinn Féin MLA has called on the NI Arts Council to recruit a full time member of staff for a role as a Traditional Arts Officer.

Speaking yesterday, Barry McElduff, who serves as Chairperson of the Assembly Culture, Arts and Leisure Committee said: "I have written to Roisin McDonough, Chief Executive of the Arts Council regarding its allocation of funding for the various art forms in percentage terms.

"The promotion of traditional arts cannot possibly be taken forward without the appointment of a dedicated full-time officer."

He said that, up until recently this post was filled on a full-time basis: "When the post became vacant, however, it was not readvertised as a full-time dedicated post and I believe that the Arts Council is not recognising the true importance or potential of this sector.

"What do tourists look for when they visit any town or village? They want a taste of local culture, including Irish traditional music," he continued.

"There is a vibrant traditional arts scene, largely down to the voluntary efforts, but it needs strategic direction, leadership and support from the Arts Council.

"We only have to look at the massive benefits that a vibrant traditional arts scene which is properly supported can deliver.

"Dublin's Temple Bar 'Tradfest' is growing exponentially, Ennis' Fleadh Nua fills the town each year with thousands of people and the Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann are all festivals which bring huge prestige and economic benefits to the areas that they are located in," he insisted, but noted that "all of these festivals are a car drive away".

"There needs to be a dedicated full time Traditional Arts officer at the Arts Council. To have anything less would be doing a disservice to one of the most popular art forms in Ireland," he concluded.

(Harry Bradley, an acclaimed traditional Irish music player, from Belfast, is pictured).

(BMcC)