Tower Seminar – The Language of Lyrics

Presenters: Brendan Graham, Seamus Fogarty,
Dr Aileen Dillane
Chair: Carl Corcoran

In this Seminar, two of Ireland’s premier award-winning songwriters discuss the language of lyrics. Two different approaches to weaving the words – two acclaimed songwriters share their thoughts on inspiration, fabrication and being the conduit through which the songs emerge. Multi award winning Mayo based songwriter and author Brendan Graham joins the panel to discuss the origins of his global sensation “You Raise Me Up” and his elegiac  “Crucán na bPáiste”  – a subject of international academic scrutiny – while Mayo born Seamus Fogarty,our Songwriter in Residence who dazzles audiences with his songs, will  tell stories of sleeping overnight in a country church (‘Carlow Town’) or losing his T-Shirt on a mountain (“God Damn You Mountain”). These are some of the songs that will feature in this discussion. Irish World Academy’s Dr Aileen Dillane provides an Academic perspective with extracts from her paper on Dublin songster Damien Dempsey and Limerick based Rusangano Family. The Language of Lyrics speaks volumes. This event is hosted and chaired by the Director of our MA in Songwriting, Carl Corcoran.

Admission is free and all are welcome.