FILM Donal Lunny: Follow the Music

Directed by Nuala O’Connor 2007
Duration 58 minutes

Followed by Belfast Folk Reunion Session
Until late

Wednesday 26th September
The John Hewitt, Cathedral Quarter
Doors 7.30pm - film 8pm // FREE

Donal Lunny is one of the most significant figures to have emerged in Irish contemporary music in the last 40 years. A world class multi-instrumentalist, composer and producer, his credits and collaborations include The Bothy Band, Planxty, Van Morrison, Emmylou Harris, Steve Earle, Bono and Seamus Heaney (among others). For a more intimate view of the man before his first ever Open House Festival appearance on Thursday as a member of Mozaik, catch the remarkable new film, Follow the Music, which charts his life from his early days in Co Kildare as the son of a native Irish speaking mother and Northern Irish father, through his incredible career as a creative artist and Irish traditional musician.

Members of Belfast Folk, including Fergie Woods, Geordie McAdam, Seanie Lavery, Trevor Stewart, Wilson Davies, Gerry McCartney, Angela and Liam Delaney, will be recreating the atmosphere of the Belfast folk scene from the 1960s and 70s. With the recent sale and imminent demolition of the legendary Pat’s Bar, where many of tonight’s artists first played, this is a timely reminder that the march of progress comes with a price. 

Check out the excellent website www.belfastfolk.co.uk, which acts as a forum for local folk musicians, and features rare archive photos of early Belfast sessions.