A New Double Review: Irish Traditional Music, and a Study of J.M. Synge’s Travel Writing

My latest review, over on Substack here, combines two media (music and text), commenting on complementary cultural productions,

The first is the Double You traditional album, by Welsh harp master Catrin Finch and Irish violinist Aoife Ni Bhriain, released on 27 October by Bendigedig Records of the UK.

The second is Dr. Giulia Bruna’s 2017 scholarly work, J.M. Synge and Travel Writing of the Irish Revival (Syracuse University Press).

It struck me that these two works, distinct in media and approach, might nevertheless appeal to a wide range of people, from travelers, music lovers, literary folk, historians and so on. While much has changed in the Emerald Isle since Synge documented its wild Atlantic outcroppings in the late 19th century, some of that spirit has remained, as perhaps is most evident in the music.