'It's a Fine Thing to Sing': New film about Inishowen songs and singers now online

A new film about Inishowen songs and singers is now showing on the Irish Film Institute’s online player.

The movie is called 'It's a Fine Thing to Sing: Songs and Singers of the Inishowen Peninsula' by Bob Gallagher and the Inishowen Traditional Singers’ Circle.

Back in 2021, little did Inishowen Traditional Singers’ Circle know that an idea to record three song videos, would lead to a major documentary.

It all began with a plan to invite singer friends – Ian Lynch (Lankum), Ye Vagabonds and The Henry Girls – to dip into Jimmy McBride’s amazing collection of sound and video recordings of local songs and singers that he had collected over a period of 40 years.

The stars aligned when, at that time, the ITSC met with Bob Gallagher. Bob, an award-winning Dublin-based filmmaker and singer with Culdaff roots (and now a home there), was interested in learning more about songs and singers from the peninsula.

He looked at the group’s fledgling plan and could see more: a wider story to be told. And so it was that ITSC stepped into the world of filmmaking, guided by Bob’s unique vision.

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The 60-minute documentary features Ian Lynch (Lankum), Ye Vagabonds and The Henry Girls arranging and singing six songs from Clonmany and Buncrana singers: Roseanne McGonigle, Dan McGonigle, Mary Ann Canny, Corney McDaid, and Inishowen visitor Packie Manus Byrne. The recordings are framed within Inishowen's stunning landscape, interwoven with atmospheric archival recordings of the original singers, and interviews with contemporary members of the Inishowen song community.

Formally launched at Galway Film Fleadh in 2023, since then the film has evoked amazing responses from audiences at Film Festivals and events, literally around the world.

Inishowen Traditional Singers’ Circle says it’s “so pleased” that the Irish Film Institute has now invited the group to share the film through its online player IFI@home https://www.ifihome.ie/.

Currently it may be viewed in the Republic of Ireland, but plans are in place to have it available worldwide soon.

So why not settle down over Christmas or the New Year to watch an Inishowen film. It costs €4.99 to rent and can also be sent as an online gift.

ITSC receives 50 per cent of each rental, so it really is a great way to support its year-long series of projects and events – keeping songs and singing at the heart of Inishowen.

For more information visit: inishowensinging.ie