Events
'Literature of Irish Exile' Autumn School, 15 October 2005
To view the full programme for this event click here
The following performance by Len Graham will take place at 2:00-3:00pm:
LEN GRAHAM
Born in County
Antrim to a family steeped in traditional music and song, Len Graham was heavily
influenced by the tradition of his own locality. He has been cultivating the
song traditions of his native Ulster all his life. He became a full-time professional
singer in 1982 and now performs at festivals throughout the world with the
storyteller John Campbell.Len also makes frequent appearances at festivals
throughout Ireland and Europe with his wife, the singer Pádraigin Ní
Uallacháin. Among the poets with whom Graham has performed are Ciaran
Carson, Michael Longley, Seamus Heaney, Brendan Kennelly and Nuala Ní
Dhomhnaill.
Len Graham is also a noted collector, and some of his field recordings have
been published by The Arts Council of Northern Ireland. He has recorded 12
albums to date, mainly on the Claddagh label. He is the only singer of traditional
songs in English to have been recorded by Gael Linn. Len is the recipient
of numerous awards, including The Seán O'Boyle Cultural Traditions
Award in 1993 and more recently the TG4 National Music Award for 'Traditional
Singer of The Year'. He has been an important source of songs for many of
Ireland's leading traditional bands and singers, including Altan, The Chieftains,
De Danann, Dolores Keane, Karan Casey and many others.
