Craobh Dugan releases “The Irish and the Erie” CD
Local Irish cultural group’s new CD celebrates Erie Canal’s 200th anniversary Rome, March 21, 2018: Craobh Dugan, a group dedicated to preserving Irish culture in the Mohawk Valley, released a CD on March 17, 2018, to commemorate the Irish contribution to the building of the Erie Canal. The CD, entitled “The Irish and the Erie,” was developed by Mike Hoke in honor of the canal’s 200th anniversary.
Hoke researched, wrote, and arranged a program which the group performs live at local venues. It provides an educational and often humorous look at the Irish and the canal along with traditional Irish music. The CD contains all the music from the program and was performed by Craobh Dugan musicians Jim O’Looney, Mike Hoke, Bill Fahy, Mike Carroll, Skip Mansur, Ed Campbell and Sue Romero.
In addition, a booklet giving more detail on the music is included, as well as links to the group’s website for more historical information.
The CD was produced by Bill Fahy, recorded locally by Jim Inman of Shack #9 Studios in Holland Patent, with graphic design for the cover and booklet by Sue Romero. The project was funded by Craobh Dugan and by a Meitheal grant from the government of Ireland.
The CD can be purchased locally at all Craobh Dugan events, or online via the group’s website uticairish.org. Digital downloads are also available through CD Baby.
“We are pleased and proud to present this CD to recognize the Irish contribution to our local history,” said Craobh Dugan President Chris Hoke. “We are planning a CD release party for all our members and the public to be held on April 17 at 7:30 pm at Stockdale’s in Oriskany, along with our regular music session. You can be sure we’ll be playing the music from the CD.”
Craobh Dugan is the Utica-Rome Chapter of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann, a worldwide Irish cultural organization based in Dublin, Ireland.
The group will be performing “The Irish and Erie” program at several venues in the upcoming months. To schedule a performance, contact Bill Fahy polishbill@aol.com.
For more information, contact Chris Hoke at hoke84@gmail.com.