Beginning in April 1988 a number of oral history interviews and Irish traditional music and dance performances were videotaped for the documentary From Shore To Shore: Irish Traditional Music In New York City.
Produced and directed by Patrick Mullins, this documentary examines both the continuity and the changes that have affected Irish traditional music since the turn of the 20th century. It mixes historic photographs and film footage with contemporary interviews and musical performances.
The film has been broadcast on local PBS television stations in the New York City area, and Reno, Nevada, and broadcast nationally in both Ireland and Australia. It is also published online on Folkstreams.net.
Production credits
Producer/Director: Patrick Mullins
Writer/Co-Producer: Rebecca Miller
Historian/Assoc. Producer: Marion R. Casey
Executive Producer: Nye Heron, The Irish Arts Center
Our thanks to Patrick Mullins and Folkstreams.net for their permission to make the full documentary available here.
Video courtesy Folkstreams.net
Inevitably, many of the original recordings were not able to be included in the above documentary. This additional footage provides a retrospective look at a vibrant community of musicians, dancers, and audiences during one important era in the story of Irish traditional music in America, and is presented here with thanks to Patrick Mullins and Folkstreams.net.
Featuring performances by: Mary Bergin, Jean Butler, Fr. Charlie Coen, Buddy Connolly, Kevin Connolly, Matty Connolly, Maureen Glynn Connolly, Brian Conway, Tom Doherty, Tony DeMarco, Felix Dolan, Tom Doolan, Rita Flaherty, Donny Golden, Eileen Golden, Vincent Harrison, Eileen Ivers, John Jennings, James Keane, Joe Kelly, Willie Kelly, Jane Kelton, Mick Kenny, Maureen Doherty Macken, Joanie Madden, Pete Mancuso, Billy McComiskey, Andy McGann, Antoinette McKenna, Jo McNamara, Becky Miller, Mick Moloney, John Morrison, Paddy O’Brien, Bill Ochs, Robbie O’Connell, Jerry O’Sullivan, Paddy Reynolds, The Wednesday Nighters, John Whelan, Louise Kahan Whelan, Martin Wynne, and others.
Plus interviews with: Dan Collins, Brian Conway, Tom Doherty, Mary Coleman Hannon, Earle Hitchner, Maureen Doherty Macken, Andy McGann, Mary Coleman O’Beirne, Paddy Reynolds, & Martin Wynne
Both the above videos were published on a single DVD by Cherry Lane Productions and are available for purchase. The insert from the original DVD, including all the performers names and tune titles, is reproduced below.
Cherry Lane Productions, 1980s, 1990s