Molly Hicks band photo montage now on YouTube

Left: Ruth Dillon. Tom Hanway reports:

A photo montage of the Molly Hicks band performing at the Park House Lodge is now up on YouTube. In November 2010 the full band was featured in a live art and music performance organised by Galway artist Dara McGee, which took place in Spiddal, Co. Galway. It also featured McGee and Grammy-winning musician Vinnie Kilduff, best known for his work with U2, the Waterboys, and Clannad. The event was to raise money to develop an artists’ group and to acquire studio space. Fully attended despite a terrible winter's storm, it was a resounding success and the money was raised for the Connemara artists.

On the night, McGee and Kilduff performed the 'Blind Seal' (An Rón Dall­). As TG4's Darach Ó Tuairisg read the story, Kilduff played mandolin and tin whistle to an evocative soundtrack while McGee rapidly painted a series of illustrative acrylic-canvases [right: painting by Dara McGee]. When the story reached its shocking climax, McGee arranged the four canvasses together to reveal a totally new picture. The four paintings were then auctioned as a complete work. Artists also displayed and sold their works on the night.

McGee is organising more Americana concerts and events with the Molly Hicks Band. A native Irish speaker, he lives and works in the Gaeltacht or Irish-speaking area of south Connemara. While better known for his work as a designer in theatre and film, Dara McGee's paintings explore his strong link to the islands along the west coast and their people. He has spent time as an artist in residence on Tory Island, Inishturk, and Inish Oírr, where he has also worked as an art teacher. Dara McGee is also Ruth Dillon's fiancé.

The video features 'Blue and lonesome', the only collaboration between Hank Williams (country) and Bill Monroe (bluegrass), plus an instrumental adaption of 'Wildwood flower' – best known through the Carter Family recordings. It was the band’s great pleasure helping the Connemara artists and we look forward to working with Dara McGee down the road and for years to come!

On stage (l. to r.): Juliana Erkkonen (fiddle), Peter Åkerström (nylon string guitar), Ruth Dillon (steel string guitar), Paul O'Driscoll (upright bass), Bernie O'Mahony (banjolele), Tom Hanway (original Stelling SwallowTail 5-string banjo).