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Erne Rising Project

Lake-locked and low, to the north of our rising island, Fermanagh cradles, close to its stone, stories in time. Voices in rhythm are carried along an eternal source - gripping and hugging its deep embedded crouching earth towards a gaping wide-eyed water-mass - the Erne. (Rory Keenan)

In County Fermanagh there exists a unique and vibrant tradition of music song and dance. In the album Erne Rising some of the very best musicians of the region also explore current musical trends and together blend their diverse influences using both traditional and non-traditional instrumentation.

The music is from and about their location, their natural environs and human history, the Legend story of the birth of the lakes, songs, stories and melodies from the locality merge with new compositions and make up a rich tapestry of sound.

Several of the group Erne's traditional musicians are also from classical, jazz, rock, country and world music backgrounds. All are experienced recording artists and composers / arrangers, while some are tried and proven music producers. Erne Rising is grounded in the sound of fiddle, flute, accordion, guitar, bass and percussion of the six core musicians of the group:

Gerry O`Donnell (flutes, whistles, clarinet, saxophone) Ian Smith (acoustic /electric guitar,vocals, programming)

Pat McManus (acoustic, electric guitars, violin, vocals) Jim McGrath (accordion),

David Hopkins (percussion incl darbuka,bodhran etc).. Yann Honoré (electric / electro-acoustic bass),

Watch a Movie Clip of Erne and dancers Fintan & Bridin Contact us for Booking information and pricing.

The album also includes contributions from the following musicians:

Elaine Murphy (vocals,flute, whistle) Catherine Dunne (violin, viola, accordion) Claire O'Donnell (Celtic harp) Maggie Keane (vocals) Maria Rafferty (vocals) Ian Marshall (Scottish side drums) Ramy Gallagher (kit drums, percussion) Mick de Hoog (viola) Darragh Murphy (uilleann pipes)Elaine McConnell (cello), James Blennerhassett (double/electric bass, viola and cello,) Robert Watt (Border,Lowland and Scottish bagpipes), Simon O`Dwyer (bronze age horns).

Erne Rising is created, directed, recorded and produced by Gerry O`Donnell and Ian Smith.