Gaoth Dobhair's Cathal Ó Curráin is hitting all the right notes

It came as no surprise to many that Cathal Ó Curráin received the award for Best Emerging Artist at the 2022 Radio 1 Folk Awards at an event which was held in Vicar Street, in Dublin, recently.
Cathal hails from one of the most musical families in the Gaoth Dobhair Gaeltacht. He was born and raised in Glais a’ Chú, Gaoth Dobhair. His mother, Marion née Brennan Ó Curráin, is from an Ardaí Bheag and his father, PJ Ó Curráin, is from Machaire Gathlán.
Cathal attended national school at Scoil Doire Chonaire where the Irish language and culture continues to be very much to the fore.
Cathal says his family played a positive role early in his life steering him towards the world of music: “I started learning the tin whistle with my Auntie Bríd before I started in the marching band under my Aunt Cáitlín and my father PJ.
“I moved onto stringed instruments when they moved from the marching band to An Crann Óg, a traditional Irish music school in Gaoth Dobhair.”
An Crann Óg has played a pivotal part in creating and supporting many young artists and performers in the area.
The group has played throughout the country and further afield.
Cathal’s musical gifts were well and trully appreciated as a young member of Crann Óg.
He later attended Pobalscoil Ghaoth Dobhair where there is a strong emphasis on the Irish language, sport, culture and music.
Many from the Gaeltacht school would champion competitions at All-Ireland level in contents such as Oireachtas na Gaeilge, Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann and Slógadh.
The school would also feature strongly in national competitions in terms of drama, cabarets, oration, dialogue, poetry and debate - all through the medium of Irish.
During his tenure at Pobalscoil Ghaoth Dobhair, Cathal would sing songs he oersonally penned at events in the area.
Inspired by his upbringing, Cathal went on to study music and the Irish language at the University of Limerick.
Cathal specialises in Irish traditional and folk music on fiddle, banjo, bouzouki and song.
Cathal has travelled the world with different bands to America, Australia, New Zealand and all throughout Europe.

He credits his non-familial influences as being Clann Uí Mhaonaigh, The Friel Sisters, Doimnic Mac Giolla Bhríde, Clann Éamonn Ghráinne, Jimmy Campbell and Hugh Hiúdaí Beag.
The musician appreciates all he has learnt at the sessions in Teach Hiúdaí Beag, Gaoth Dobhair.
“Everyone that has come through Hugh Hiúdaí Beag’s bar at sessions has had an influence on me.
“There is always something you can learn from others no matter how good a musician you are.”
Cathal has featured on many CDs An Crann Óg - An Chéad Ghlúin, Fuaim an Chiúnais, The High Seas with Ciarán Ó Maonaigh, Cúl an Tí with Kíla and Cartoon Saloon, The Friel Sisters album Before the Sun, Aoife Scott’s Homebird, and has also worked with The Conifers.
Cathal’s debut solo album Cosán Ceoil was launched in 2022.
At the time of the launch, he said: “This CD reflects where I come from and where my roots are. This is just the beginning of my musical path or ‘Cosán Ceoil’.”
A recognised musician from a county with the academic grounding to support him, Cathal now intends to focus on further work.
He said: “Ambition is to continue in practicing and improving myself as a musician while working on old and new music.”
Cathal is delighted with winning national recognition.

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