Manchán Magan, Myles O'Reilly, Simon O'Reilly - Slí na Samhlaíochta (The Way of the Imagination) Manchán Magan, Myles O'Reilly, Simon O'Reilly

Claddagh Records is privileged to present “Slí na Samhlaíochta” (The Way of Imagination), a new spoken-word album from the late writer and broadcaster Manchán Magan, underscored beautifully by the stunning musical composition from celebrated musician Myles O’Reilly under the musical direction of Simon O’Reilly.

In 2023, Artistic Director Simon O’Reilly was working on the Hedge School Festival in Doolin, a small Winter festival in the West of Ireland almost entirely focused on collaboration through workshops by multifaceted artists. Manchán Magan had been invited to the Hedge School to perform the closing act, a spoken word piece that he had been working on, based on the concept of Tír na nÓg – the ‘Otherworld’ or ‘An Saol Eile’. The festival asked Myles O’Reilly to join Manchán and Simon in creating the live improvised ambient score. Visual artist Crosby Dunkley developed a graphic narrative that unfolded across a large LED screen. Something rare and unusual happened that evening. The feeling in the room lingered long after the lights came up, something special had begun.

In the months following Manchán’s untimely passing, Simon revisited the old recording of the show and began to imagine what the possibilities could be. With the support of his [Magan’s] wife Aisling, brother Ruán and Myles O’Reilly’s creative drive, the possibility began to transform into a reality. During a sweltering Dublin heatwave, the album was recorded at the National Concert Hall with the addition of Crash Ensemble, Vocalist Branwen Kavanagh and harpist Méabh McKenna. A week later the album eventually came full circle returning to Doolin where violinist Ultan O’Brien and double bassist Neil O’Loughlin helped to complete the final tapestry. And so, “Slí na Samhlaíochta” was complete and Manchán’s vision realised.