Melanie Beth Curran from New York City whose great grandfather Frank Curran was from Glenswilly and emigrated to America in the early 1900’s is back in Donegal making a documentary on Irish and Irish American Folk Music. Along with Matthew and Luke Taggart from Irvinestown, Co. Fermanagh and Danny Kelley they are working on a feature-length documentary exploring the journey of Irish-American folk music from Donegal to the US. Matthew who is directing the project, and his brother Luke, who is handling cinematography and editing, have teamed up with American folk musician and researcher Melanie Beth Curran and sound designer Danny Kelley for the independent production. Filming began in Glenswilly, where Curran’s great-grandfather, Frank was born before emigrating to the States. The documentary will follow his route through New York, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Butte, Montana and Spokane, Washington, while uncovering Irish-American folk songs that have been preserved in archives but largely forgotten over time.The film will also celebrate traditional music closer to home by featuring interviews and live performances from folk musicians across Donegal, Tyrone and neighbouring counties.
