Fiddler Seamus Connolly Wins Arts Council's Faculty Award at Boston College

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Congratulations to Irish fiddler Seamus Connolly, winner of this year's Boston College Arts Council Faculty Award.  The prestigious award was presented to Connolly on Friday, April 25 at the annual Arts Festival that took place on campus.

"Each year, the Boston College Arts Council recognizes an alumnus, a faculty member, and several students for their accomplishments and contributions to the arts in various disciplines," according to the Arts Council press release.  "Alumni and faculty award recipients serve as role models, inspiring and guiding developing young artists in the BC community."

Connolly is the "Sullivan Artist in Residence" at Boston College, and one of the most accomplished Irish musicians of his generation, as performer, composer, publisher and educator.  The County Clare native formed BC's Gaelic Roots program in 1991, and since then the program has brought to campus the world's finest performers in Irish, Scottish, Canadian and American folk traditions.

Gaelic Roots is part of the Center for Irish Programs at Boston College.

In September 2013 Connolly was awarded a National Heritage Fellowship from the National Endowment for the Arts, and in May 2103 he received the Ellis Island Medal of Honor for his distinguished work in music.   Here is a profile of Seamus and his work as a scholar, researcher and compiler of rare melodies.

Find more about the Irish cultural community in Massachusetts and New England by visiting IrishMassachusetts.com.


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