Mary McPartlan is one of the most talented singers to come out of the Irish scene in recent years. Born in Drumkeeran, Co. Leitrim and now living in Galway, she started singing in the early 70s but it wasn't until 2003 that she decided to make music her full time career.She has been working for the last 12 years in the arts and entertainment industry, having been producer and director of many music and theatre projects. She developed the concept of the TG4 National Traditional Music Awards, and was co-producer of the award-winning music series FLOSC, also for TG4. She is founding member and the producer of the Galway-based theatre company Skehana. Mary, however, didn't come out of the shadows until January 2004 when she released the critically acclaimed album The Holland Handkerchief. Which she followed with her equally highly acclaimed Petticoat Loose album in 2008.Mary's album, The Holland Handkerchief was an eagerly awaited album and did not disappoint. The reviews were a tribute to the amount of work put into the making of the album.The Irish Times
Siobhán Long - Highs and Lows of 2005
16th December 2005
Meanwhile Mary McPartlan, the Bessie Smith of traditional music, stilled audiences with her eclectic repertoire and showed the wisdom of planting one foot in the present while the other treads adventurously into the past.The Irish Times - The Ticket
Siobhán Long
5th February 2004
MARY McPARTLAN The Holland Handkerchief RMG ****
The sleeve notes hint at a meitheal coming together for the making of this heart-stopping CD from music producer and now, finally, recording artist Mary McPartlan. And its a heavy meitheal band with a difference: shot through with enough vim, vigour and unfettered passion to fuel those lethal marathon singing sessions that lop years off your life while adding wings to the spirit. McPartlans voice is gloriously earthy, as she breaks in her material for all their life-giving powers. Shamie O'Dowds multi-instrumental contributions are a revelation of style and panache, his and McPartlan vocal harmonies gelling fearlessly. Mairtin O' Connor, Paddy Keenan and James Blennerhasset cosset and challenge with grinning ease. But the songs rule: The Tide Full is in perfect snap-shot of voice, geography and history in faultless synchrony.Mary was chosen by the Arts Council of Ireland in 2007 to take part in the 'Touring Experiment' with the great musical legends Tommy Peoples and Steve Cooney. The plan and central focus for this tour was to engage with 18 venues throughout Ireland in November, December and January and to engage in audience development.Mary is currently embarking on exciting new touring projects and recordings as well as continuing her work as an influential lecturer in the National University of Ireland Galway City where she teaches Theatre at Undergraduate and Postgraduate level as well as teaching Traditional Music to the MA students of Arts Policy and Practice. Mary has also pioneered the establishment of 'Arts In Action' a programme which seeks to cultivate awareness of the creative arts, where each student will have the possibility for increased engagement in the various creative art forms. This programme is specially designed for the second and third year undergraduate students in the College of Arts and Celtic Studies. It includes illustrated performances and lectures in art forms such as theatre, traditional arts, architecture, literatures in English and Irish, dance, music, opera, visual art, film, circus and street spectacle.
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