The O'Brien Clan

Tara Music Company

Dear O'Brien Clan,

We have an exciting new recording 'Brian Boru - The High King of Tara', based on Morgan Llywelyn's book 'The Lion Of Ireland' by leading Irish traditional musician Maurice Lennon.

Brian Boru - High King of Tara CD Friday January 11th 2002 saw the release date for the long awaited first solo project from Maurice Lennon (ex Stockton's Wing) Brian Boru - The High King of Tara. Produced by the master himself Donal Lunny the album is based on Morgan Llywelyn's book 'The Lion of Ireland'.

Maurice says, "I have always been fascinated by the legend of Brian Boru and since reading the novel 'Lion Of Ireland' some twelve years ago my one wish has been to try and put his life story to music. However the problem was one of finding a new angle from which to approach such an idea, as during this time many outstanding works had been written about famous figures in Irish history. What we are attempting here is something that to my knowledge has not been previously tried - the concept of a traditional/ contemporary musical."

Morgan Llywelyn tells us that "The Hill of Tara was central to life in Ireland for over two millennia. Originally occupied by a mysterious race known as the Tuatha de Danann, it later became the seat of royal power for the Gaelic Irish. In the early Christian era, Ireland had two hundred tribal kings. These owed obedience to one of four provincial kings. Over them all was the High King who reigned from Tara. But there was never such a High King as Brian Bóru. As a scholar he studied the achievements of Caesar and Charlemagne. As a warrior he outfought and outwitted his enemies. As a statesman he united the warring Irish tribes under one leader for the first time in history. Most of all, he was a man. A passionate man who loved and hated, laughed and wept ... and dreamed. The story of Brian Bóru is the story of a man and a people who have never lost hope."

This album featuring Maurice on Fiddle & Vocals, Donal Lunny - Bouzouki, Bodhran, Guitar, Keyboards & Vocals, Anthony Drennan - Lead Guitar, Seamus Brett - Keyboards & Programming, Máirtín O'Connor - Accordion, Noel Eccles - Percussion, Greg Boland - Programming, Tony Molloy - Bass Guitar, Helen Davies - Metal Strung Harp, Brian Lennon - Flute & Whistles, Mick O'Brien - Uilleann Pipes & Whistles, Mikey Smith - Uilleann Pipes & Whistles and guest vocalist Sean Keane, should prove well worth the wait.

Brian Boru - The High King of Tara is available from:

Claddagh Records
Dame House, Dame Street, Dublin 2, Ireland. Tel. (+353 1) 6778943; Fax. (+353 1) 6793664 email. mailorder@crl.ie
and Online from
www.irishmusicmail.com

In The US the album will be available from
Andy's Front Hall at 1 800 759-1775 or by email at mailto:fennig@aol.com,

For further information visit http://www.taramusic.com/