Another Merriman Summer School has finished and this year's one was no less interesting than in the past. Johnny Morrissey arrived to teach set dancing in Lisdoonvarna where Clare folk are magnanimous and philosophical about the defeat of their hurlers. This year's school was all about Irish traditional music. By definition, there was less debate and more music. Even the lectures were musical. David Hammond, the Northern Ireland folklorist, enlivened a packed audience when he sang his lecture to rapt attention. Prof John A. Murphy did no less and received a standing ovation.
At the Merriman, people are not given to standing ovations. The emeritus professor of Irish history at UCC is a songster from his early days in the family home at Macroom where his mother played the piano. Seannos, ballads from a different tradition, were no stranger. After an operation some years ago, he awoke with one concern on his mind. Would he be able to sing again? "I don't know," the surgeon said, "I've never heard you sing before." Surgery can be chastening.
In between singing, John A. opined that a certain amount of snobbery and pedantry prevailed in the world of Irish song.
Moore's Melodies were regarded at one stage by some purists, as "sanitised gentility". He said
this year's school had brought the fringe - namely song and singing - into the mainstream. But importantly there was also a measure of elitism about singing in Irish. Enjoy it, enjoy other songs, but do not be afraid to say seannos is not your cup of tea, was his message. It was a refreshing message. Then, the Merriman is always refreshing.