A thirteen-arched bridge spans the majestic River Shannon as it flows through my hometown of Killaloe, County Clare. On the opposite side of the bridge is Ballina, County Tipperary. As a child I had fun saying, 'I can stand in Killaloe and Ballina at the same time'. I composed this tune in remembrance of my father, Michael 'Mick' Connolly, who, when working as the skipper of a tugboat named the St. Patrick, piloted it underneath the largest of the arches. The young fiddle player Kelsey Lutz, from Ann Arbor, Michigan, was sixteen years old when she recorded the tune for this project. Irish music will forever remain vibrant when young people play our music as Kelsey does.

Connolly, Séamus (composer) 33682623

Séamus Connolly

Boston College Libraries

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