“Hi Rónán, I’ve just been playing your cd with yourself and Irene, a wonderful glittering performance of lovely fiddle music and style, one of the best that I have heard since Brian Rooney’s Godfather, you both should be very proud of this cd, beautiful tunes, it ranks as one of the best fiddle duets for years.”
Drumshanbows Project
" 'Drumshanbows' is a fun name which represents a kind of fulcrum of the musical styles of Rónán and Irene, which came about as they met and formed their musical alliance and friendship in Drumshanbo, where they both teach fiddle at the annual Joe Mooney Summer School."
IRENE GUCKIAN has a deep interest in the music of her homeland, which incorporates South Leitrim and Longford, historically known as 'Conmhaicne'. Irene wrote her thesis on the music and manuscripts of 'Conmhaicne' in NUIM. The music of 'Conmhaicne' has much of the lifty, flowing style and expressive ornamentation associated with the neighbouring counties of Sligo and Roscommon. As well as gaining the title 'Michael Coleman International Fiddler of the Year', Irene's accolades include All-Ireland Fleadh medals in slow air playing on fiddle and flute. She has appeared on TG4 and has performed on various local and national radio stations. Irene has performed at state and civic functions including venues such as Áras an Uachtaráin for the former president of Ireland, Mary McAleese. Her debut album was 'Love of My Life'. Irene has recorded a CD and DVD with the group Sionnain 'Crossing the Shannon' and in recent times has recorded 'When The Cocks Crow' a CD to benefit the Irish Cancer Society.
RÓNÁN REGAN wrote his MA thesis in University Limerick on the musical styles of North Leitrim, most specifically on the music of Ben Lennon and Jim Connolly.
The North Leitrim style; while incorporating many of the above features, has a splendid lyrical bounce and a percussive, rhythmic characteristic, which appeals to Rónán’s dancing sensibility.
There's a unique draw and pacing to the phrasing and musical accent of North Leitrim; enhanced by its symbiotic musical interaction with West Fermanagh, as well as parts of South Donegal, West Cavan and Sligo.
Rónán's publications include the DVD tutorials 'Dance Sean-Nós for beginners' (2009) and 'Dance Sean-Nós' (2005); he also choreographed the short film 'Why the Irish dance that way' (2006).