Something for the Weekend: Siobhan Peoples' cultural picks
Fiddler Siobhán Peoples from Ennis, County Clare, has been immersed in traditional music all her life.
Her musical heritage is a blend of Donegal and Clare influences; her father, Tommy Peoples, was a renowned fiddle player from Donegal, and her grandmother, Kitty Linnane, was the pianist with the original Kilfenora Céilí Band in Clare.
Siobhán has just been named Gradam Ceoil TG4 Ceoltóir na Bliana 2025. She, along with the other category recipients will be presented with her award at the annual Gradam Ceoil concert which takes place this year on May 4th at the University Concert Hall Limerick.
We asked Siobhán for her choice cultural picks...
FILM
I love any Irish film. I think we have some of the best actors in the world. Intermission was my favourite for a long time but as a fiddler with focal dystonia, it has been replaced with The Banshees of Inisherin. Brendan Gleeson's depiction of a frustrated fiddler and the relief he felt when he rid himself of his fingers resonated deeply.
MUSIC
Pretty much any traditional recordings, and I'm very partial to Tom Waits. The Bothy Band's 1975 album and Dad's The High Part of the Road triggered an insatiable hunger for Irish traditional music in me.
BOOK
Tolkien's The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings trilogy are always what come to mind.
THEATRE
I used to try and get to see The Corofin Players when I could. I don't have a particular favourite, I just love the productions.
TV
Recently, I really enjoyed The Gentlemen series on Netflix. I love most of the programmes on TG4, be they musical or documentaries.
GIG
The last gig I attended was Paul Heaton in Dublin last month. It was a great gig which we thoroughly enjoyed, right down to the singsong on the way back in the Luas
ART
Locally I love the work of Carmel Doherty, who creates a diverse selection of art, and I'm also a huge fan of sculptor John Coll too.
RADIO
From the early groundbreaking days of Áine Hensey right up to today, we're blessed locally with Irish traditional music on Clare FM. John Creedon on RTE1 is also a regular listen.
TECH
As a musician that learned most of my music around a session table, I wasn't exactly laden down with the names of individual tune titles. After many years of teaching 'gan anim' tunes, I discovered Tunepal. It became my bible! You play the tune into it and voila! It sources it on the internet with access to names and backgrounds for most tunes. A lifesaver!
THE NEXT BIG THING...
It has to be my beautiful grand-daughter, Alice. She stole my heart like no other and I can see a bright and prosperous future for her.
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