DkIT Music Researchers Hit the Right Note
15 April 2024Dundalk Institute of Technology (DkIT) are proud to report that a group of their music researchers were to the fore at the International Ethnomusicology Conference recently held in Cork. UCC hosted the joint annual conference of the British Forum for Ethnomusicology and the Irish affiliate of the International Council for Traditional Music and Dance (ICTMD), DkIT were absolutely delighted that four researchers from the Creative Arts Research Centre (CARC) in the Institute presented their research at this prestigious event.
CARC in DkIT co-director, Dr Daithí Kearney, presented an analysis of style in Irish dancing, paying particular attention to the traditions of north Kerry and contrasting these with contemporary practice in competitions. Daithí is currently secretary of ICTMD Ireland, having previously held the position of Chair.
Head of the Department of Creative Arts, Media and Music, Dr Adèle Commins highlighted the contribution of Irish-born composer Charles Villiers Stanford to Irish traditional music, an aspect of his musical life that is often neglected. This is the centenary of Stanford’s death and Commins has been involved in events internationally to mark the occasion.
Irish Research Council scholar Leandro Pessina presented on his efforts at mapping musical activities and venues in County Louth, highlighting the potential to develop this for the purpose of tourism. Utilising Geographic Information Systems, Leandro has developed interactive digital maps that could be utilised by tourism stakeholders to raise the profile of activities in the county.
TUTF scholarship holder Aminah Dastan reflected on her experiences at the Féile Róise Rua in Donegal. Aminah’s research is examining themes of sustainability and stakeholder involvement in small festivals. Her paper demonstrated the significance of festivals for social, economic and cultural regeneration in a community.
The conference also launched the 2024 edition of Spéis, the bulletin of ICTMD Ireland, which was edited this year by DkIT postgraduate student Darren Culliney. The bulletin celebrated 20 years of the ICTMD in Ireland and contained a special feature on archives containing resources for music research in Ireland compiled by Darren.
This conference was one of the largest ethnomusicological gatherings in Ireland for many years and welcomed scholars from around the world and DkIT scholars contributed throughout the event.
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