Irish, African, and contemporary influences weave together in An Grianán.
‘An Grianán’s luminous core is Cagney’s hang drum, an instrument inspired by the Caribbean steel drum. ‘The handpan has an introverted, internal, warm, even womb-like atmosphere.’

Composition, hand pan and percussion; Éamonn Cagney, with Niwel Tsumbu; guitar and Zoë Conway; violin.

Éamonn Cagney grew up by the Atlantic Ocean in northwest Donegal, learning piano and guitar. Subsequently, he trained as a percussionist in Africa, Australia, the UK and Ireland, playing djembe, conga, cajon, udu, handpan and a huge range of percussion instruments.

An Grianán means “Place of the Sun”,’ Cagney says (whose academic background is as a folklorist). ‘It’s the name of many places throughout the country, including Grianán Ailigh in my home county Donegal, a spectacular mythological fort.’

In folklore, the Grianán is a high tower to which a hero travels to rescue his beloved—a symbolic archetype. ‘The inner sanctum,’ Cagney notes, ‘is also the place that attracts the most sun from outside. It can be seen as a symbol of male and female parity, or union.’
Cagney evokes this setting using an instrumental trio of handpan, violin and guitar, weaving an elegant texture with a mix of global and Irish elements. ‘As ever with me, I put the rhythm first!’ he says.

‘An Grianán’s luminous core is Cagney’s hang drum, an instrument inspired by the Caribbean steel drum. ‘The handpan has an introverted, internal, warm, even womb-like atmosphere,’ Cagney says. With its percussive tones he leads the trio, generating the dream-like atmosphere of mythic time.
Complimenting this is the lyrical fiddle playing of Zoë Conway and the expressive guitar playing of Niwel Tsumbu. Cagney underpins the texture with udu and conga drums and shekere.

Éamonn Cagney is Ireland’s foremost hand-drum percussionist. His masterful percussion-playing and original compositions are displayed on his solo albums Convergence and Enchantment, his longstanding duo with Congolese guitarist Niwel Tsumbu, and his numerous collaborations, masterclasses and recordings. He is considered one of the best drumming teachers in Ireland, particularly in primary schools, where he has over 20 years of experience. One of Ireland’s most cherished musicians, Cagney has regularly worked with diverse musicians and organisations, including Liam Ó Maonlaí, Roger Doyle, the Abbey Theatre, the Hypnotic Brass Ensemble, Denise Chaila, Iarla Ó Lionáird, Lisa O’Neill, John Spillane, Martin Tourish (Altan), Julie Feeney, Mel Mercier, Music Generation, Irish World Academy of Music and Dance, Míchéal Ó Súilleabháin and Louis César Ewande.

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