Mayo teenager publishes fantastic new music book
Ballina teenager Ronan Doyle has been playing traditional Irish music since he was six and has just published a book of tunes from the Wild Atlantic Way.
Not many people can say they have published a book by the age of 16. Ronan Doyle, from Ballina, is one of the few.
On November 1, was launched in bookshops across Mayo and Sligo. The book is described as a traditional music journey along the Wild Atlantic Way. It is a compilation of tunes from musicians from Donegal to Cork.
“I started it during TY as a mini-company,” Ronan told the . “A lot of people were doing things they were passionate about. There were a lot of sports books already out there, so I looked at the other half of my life which is music.”
Ronan is a 5th-year student at Gortner Abbey in Crossmolina. He began playing Irish traditional music when he was only six years old. It was originally Ronan’s Anne mother who sparked his love of traditional music.
“My mam was taught by a great man from Ballina, Gerry McNulty, who is sadly not with us any longer,” Ronan said. “She competed in the Fleadh Cheoil in ceilí bands under Gerry. Originally, that’s what she wanted us to do. She wanted us to be part of ceilí bands to have the craic. I’m sure, 10 years later, it has developed into a lot more than she thought it would have.”
Ronan is a button accordion, tin whistle and flute player. He is a member of the Admiral Brown branch of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann and has played with ceilí bands, grúpaí cheoil and traditional orchestras over the past few years.
“I’ve spent so long playing traditional music and touring around that I have made so many friends in every corner of the country.”
One of his favourite aspects of Irish traditional music is the variety, from the varying tune types to the diverse range of regional styles.
“There are so many different regional styles,” Ronan explained. “From Donegal to Leitrim, two bordering counties, it’s so different. It is just hugely interesting.”
When compiling a collection of tunes from across the Wild Atlantic Way, Ronan also sought to highlight the contrast between old and new Irish traditional music.
Regardless of the century from which it hails, Ronan appreciates the ability of trad music to bring people together.
“Everyone can go and play it,” he said. “Sometimes you see all of the classical players and, while they are fantastic, they don’t get the social outlet to come together and play. Whereas, on big weekends like Willie Clancy weekend in Miltown Malbay, you can have 300 people jammed into a pub playing the same few tunes.”
After graduation, Ronan hopes to study law at university. However, he has not ruled out the possibility of publishing a second music book in the future. Additionally, he plans to continue playing Irish traditional music throughout his life.
“It was a huge passion project at the end of the day. I got to meet so many fantastic people through it and it was such a fantastic journey.”
You can find in these bookshops: Pangur Bán and Book Stand in Ballina, Carey’s Bookshop in Belmullet, SOLAS in Aughleam, Castle Books of Castlebar, Liber and Easons in Sligo, The Bookshop in Westport and online at wildatlantictunes.com.
