The Norfolk Library celebrates a 30-year legacy of Irish Music

By Bina Thomson

Norfolk residents can always rely on the library’s annual St. Patrick’s Day concert to meet their need for Irish music. They’ll be given another such chance when famed Irish fiddler Gerry O’Connor performs in the Great Hall at the end of November.

The library’s annual March concert originally came about through the collaborative efforts of Events Coordinator Eileen Fitzgibbons, past and current library directors and a volunteer events committee.

Fitzgibbons recounts the origin of the popular series: “About 36 years ago, Jude Mead and I, as young mothers, felt that so many exciting lectures and music were too far away for us to get to with little kids. We timidly approached the Library Associates and suggested that we start a lecture series. They granted us permission but no budget! So, with empty pockets but a great line-up, the lecture series was born.

“About a year later, I was hired to work at the library, so the lecture series team grew into the events committee. At that time the library was a quieter place, as there were only a couple of classical concerts a year. I approached the director, Louise Schimmel, about bringing world music to the library, and she was very open to it. Irish music was my first choice, and the crowds came.”

That first St. Patrick’s Day concert took place in March 1993, when storyteller and Celtic harpist Patrick Ball brought his voice and music to the library. In 1997, Kitchen Ceili performed, and the annual concert was established.

Over the years, repeat acts have included Wild Asparagus (‘99 and ‘07); Julie Glaub+ Friends (‘03 and ‘09); Téada (‘11, ‘18, ‘23); and Lúnasa (‘15 and ‘17). While many of the groups could be described as traditional acoustic music, there has always been a variety of styles in the concerts.

Téada, a vibrant traditional group, incorporates fiddle, button accordion, flute, guitar, bodhrán and vocals to create their textured trad sound, while groups like Lúnasa rely on inventive instrumentation to direct the genre into new avenues. Attendees of the March 2024 concert were treated to an energizing performance of music and dancing by The Step Crew, an ensemble of musicians and Irish step dancers.

Other Celtic concerts have also taken place, such as last January, when Scottish bagpipes echoed through the stacks. Local talents Andrew Thomson and Ken Storrs brought their collection of flutes, whistles and bagpipes to the library to celebrate Burns Night, the birthday of Scottish poet Robert “Robbie” Burns. Advertised as an evening of merriment, the concert incorporated humor into lively jigs and reels but also included a few pieces with hauntingly tragic melodies that reverberated through the hushed hall. Thomson additionally played several tunes on uilleann pipes, the Irish bagpipes, illustrating the interconnected nature of traditional Celtic music.

When asked how Irish music came to be so important to her, Fitzgibbons was thoughtful. “My childhood home was full of music,” she recalls. “When classical music was played, it was a signal that kids needed to quiet down. All four of my grandparents were from Ireland, so Irish melodies were often floating around. Now I listen to ancient Celtic music almost every day. It is the music I play in my massage practice; very beautiful soul music.”

Does she—could she—have a favorite concert? “They are all so exciting. It’s wonderful to see how the musicians feed on the energy of the audience. It must feel like a ceili in an Irish pub for them. My very favorite part is how appreciative and happy people are after the concert. It’s a great feeling!”

Those looking forward to hearing Gerry O’Connor, regarded as one of the great fiddle players of his generation, can expect a rich traditional concert of fiddle tunes. Fitzgibbons anticipates “an intimate, but professional vibe. This will be a wonderful concert for families, and I have no doubt some dancing may occur.” The concert will be held Saturday, Nov. 23, from 5 to 6 p.m. Guests are encouraged to register early (visit norfolklibrary.org or call 860-542-5075, ext. 2), as, after 30 years, the captivating allure of Irish music never fails to draw a large Norfolk crowd.