Traditional music duo honoured for their contribution to Cork's rich Sliabh Luachra tradition

A Cork traditional music duo has been honoured with one of the most prestigious accolades the Rebel county can bestow.

Matt Cranitch and Jackie Daly have been unveiled as the November Cork Person(s) of the Month, in recognition of their significant contribution to the Sliabh Luachra tradition of Irish music over the past several decades.

Mr Cranitch is a world-renowned and award-winning fiddle-player, having won several All-Ireland Fleadh Cheoil titles, the Oireachtas Crotty Cup, the M.J Quill Irish Cultural Center Award in New York, and has been named The Fiddler of Dooney.

Prolific in terms of writing, performing and composition, he is the author of 'The Irish Fiddle Book', first published in 1988 and now in its fourth edition, and has also contributed to a variety of other books on Irish traditional music.

His discography includes albums with groups such as Na Filí, Any Old Time and Sliabh Notes, in addition to his solo album of slow airs entitled 'Éistigh Seal', which he considers one of his proudest works.

In addition, Mr Cranitch, received a PhD in 2006 for his study on the fiddle-playing tradition of this region and has taught a number of courses in Irish traditional music at University College Cork (UCC).

Consultant

He has also served as a long-time consultant for the Geantraí series on TG4, is a former adviser to the Irish Arts Council scheme for the traditional arts, and has served on the board of the Irish Traditional Music Archive.

Mr Daly is synonymous with the button accordion and has been described in The New York Times as ‘probably the best accordionist in Ireland’.

Born in Kanturk, he grew up surrounded by the music of Sliabh Luachra, and credits Ballydesmond fiddle-player, Jim O’Keeffe, and Sliabh Luachra fiddle-master, Pádraig O’Keeffe, as being two of the greatest influences on his early musical development.

Despite primarily being an accordionist, Mr Daly has had a lifelong affinity for fiddle-music and is most well known for his highly-acclaimed albums produced alongside figures such as the late Cork-based musician Séamus Creagh, Kevin Burke, Máire O’Keeffe, and, most recently, Matt Cranitch.

Honoured

As a multi-award winning musician, Mr Daly has been honoured with titles including the TG4 Gradam Ceoil Award, the Kanturk Arts Festival Award, the M.J Quill Irish Cultural Center Award in New York, and the Patrick O’Keeffe Traditional Music Festival Award.

Cork Person of the Year awards organiser Manus O’Callaghan said: “When Matt and Jackie come together to play anything from slides and polkas to reels and airs, whether in the studio or in live performance, they display not only their immense level of musical virtuosity but also their respect, love and deep understanding of the vibrant musical tradition of Sliabh Luachra.

“Their dedication to their craft and commitment to keeping this worthy Cork tradition alive is commendable.

“This Cork Person of the Month Award is in recognition of their stellar service to Cork’s musical and wider cultural landscape."

Mr Cranitch and Mr Daly will now go forward alongside the other monthly winners for possible selection as Cork Person(s) of the Year at the annual Gala Awards Lunch in January 2025.