120 years of music for screen production in Ireland captured in new book by Dr John O’Flynn
Anyone with an interest in the history of Irish screen production, and in music and sound design for film and TV will be keen to read the newly published book by Dr John O’Flynn: Music, the Moving Image and Ireland, 1897- 2017.
From the Quiet Man to My Left Foot
This is the first comprehensive study of music for Irish-themed or Irish-produced film which covers a vast range of productions including many iconic examples. Everything from international films/composers which include The Quiet Man (music by Victor Young), Ryan's Daughter (music by Maurice Jarre), My Left Foot (music by Elmer Bernstein) to Michael Collins (music by Elliott Goldenthal.
Irish inspiration
Irish examples include Seán Ó Riada's score for the Gael-Linn trilogy of documentary features, and Stephens Rennicks' music for films by Lenny Abrahamson including Garage, Frank, and Room. The book also explores traditional and popular music soundtracks, and the contributions of many 20th- and 21st-century Irish classical composers.
When asked what inspired this book, Associate Professor of Music at DCU Dr John O’Flynn said: “I was fascinated by the range and extent of music for Irish-themed and Irish-produced film and TV, from the earliest screenings in the 1900s to the early decades of the 21st century. No book had been written on this subject to date. I felt there was an important cultural history that needed to be researched and told. In addition to telling that story, I wanted to present several musical highlights representing different eras and styles of music.”
Book launch, 31st March, 6.15pm
Published by Routledge, the book will be officially launched on 31st March at 6.15pm in the Seamus Heaney Lecture Theatre on DCU’s St Patrick’s Campus featuring guest speaker Professor Christopher Morris from Maynooth University. All are welcome to attend.
More about the author
Here in the DCU School of Theology, Philosophy and Music, Dr O’Flynn teaches courses in popular music, film music, music sociology, intercultural music transmission, choral and group performance, and solfege/musical techniques, and also supervises student research to doctoral level.