The Irish Traditional Music Archive (ITMA) has confirmed acclaimed concertina player Liam O’Brien as its new Digital Access and Development Officer for County Clare a position supported by The Michael Guinee Charitable Foundation.
Growing up in a musical family in Miltown Malbay, Co. Clare, Liam began learning music at the age of four from his mother Bríd O’Donoghue. He studied concertina under Noel Hill and was awarded the TG4 Ceoltóir Óg na Bliana/Young Musician of the Year Award in 2017. Liam earned a BA in Irish Music and Dance from the University of Limerick along with a Master’s in Film Production and Direction. He has previously worked with both Nuacht RTÉ and TG4.
As Clare Digital Access and Development Officer, Liam will facilitate the digitisation, cataloguing and increase in access to the more than 10,000 Clare-related materials currently housed in ITMA’s extensive collection in Dublin. As a result, this three-year position will provide the people of Clare with unprecedented access to their musical heritage — inspiring cultural engagement and contributing to the social, economic and cultural sustainability of the county.
“Along with being one of the country’s finest traditional musicians, Liam O’Brien’s deep grá for the music of Clare, along with his technical expertise and experience, uniquely qualify him to help ITMA archive, make accessible and collect Clare-related materials”, said ITMA CEO Liam O’Connor. “This new position will advance ITMA’s mission to provide free, universal access to archival materials and will set an unrivalled standard for archival preservation and accessibility, making Clare a world-leader when it comes to digital access to its musical heritage.”
“I’m thrilled to be working with ITMA to archive, catalogue and make available the traditional music, song and dance of County Clare,” said Liam O’Brien. “Growing up surrounded by music in Miltown Malbay, I know firsthand the importance of documenting and collecting from musicians in order to keep our tradition alive and thriving. I look forward to liaising with local communities and collectors who wish to have their archival collections digitised and made accessible by ITMA.”
Derek Barrett, CEO of The Michael Guinee Charitable Foundation, added: “The Michael Guinee Chartiable Foundation is delighted that Liam O’Brien will be taking up this important position. We look forward to seeing Liam and ITMA’s collective work to preserve Clare’s musical heritage over the coming years.”
Liam O’Brien will perform as a special guest in the Miltown Malbay show on ITMA’s upcoming Drawing from the Well Concert Tour November 2nd in the Miltown Community Hall. He will commence his work later in the month from a desk at Oidhreacht an Chláir, Miltown Malbay. As part of his role, Liam will also spend time training at ITMA’s office in Merrion Square, Dublin, where he will have access to staff expertise and digitisation resources.
Founded in 1987, the Irish Traditional Music Archive (ITMA) is home to the largest, most comprehensive collection of Irish traditional music, song, and dance in the world. ITMA digitises, preserves and offers free universal access to valuable recordings, photographs, manuscripts, and other archived materials that would otherwise be lost. In doing this, ITMA also connects contemporary artists with archived materials in order to inspire new art, helping to build the living archive of the future.