The Artistic Smyths
The Smyths are a busy bunch on the
artistic front - no sooner will
this Web page be up than they will probably have
started some new project. Anyway here's some
current links....
-
Crista Smyth (my better half).
Crista is the newest addition
to the "artistic Smyths" Web page. She has recently
started a new venture in creating custom-made handrails
from Pacific Ocean driftwood. Some very beautiful pieces,
check it out!
-
Seosamh MacGabhann (Dad) - his latest book of
plays for children came out recently. (This Web link to
www.leabhar.com is down sometimes - probably raining too much
back in Mayo).
Anyway, the book reflects a tremendous lifetime of
contributions in Irish drama for schools.
An Fáinne Óir
is the Irish name of the book, and it is entirely
written in Irish (or "as Gaeilge" as we would say in Irish).
"MacGabhann" is
the Irish (Gaelic)
version of "Smyth", where "gabha" means blacksmith in Gaelic.
So "MacGabhann" translates into "son of the blacksmith" (and
as it happens
both my grandfathers were the local blacksmiths in their
respective villages in the west of
Ireland: Thomas Smyth of Straide Co Mayo,
and Dominic Costello of Kilmovee, Co. Mayo).
-
Paul Smyth (brother). Paul is well-known in Ireland
as a traditional flute-player - his new album "Up and Away" of
Irish music was just released in
Ireland in October 2003. Lots of great tunes. And he
even allowed his "big brother" to guest on two tracks!
-
Maura Smyth (sister) - wonderful and original ceramic designs
from my up-and-coming designer sister,
combining Celtic and Art Deco themes. If you
are in Ireland you can find Maura's work in the Kilkenny Design
Center among other places, or pop in to Warrenpoint
to see her workshop and have a cup of tea (say hello to
the dogs for me when you are there).
-
Scott Potter (brother-in-law) - ok, so Scott is not really
a Smyth, but close enough. His metal sculptures are very cool
indeed. If you are in San Luis
Obispo check his work out (or come to our house where we have
a few "early Potter" pieces).
-
Sean Smyth (cousin) - lead fiddler with
the band Lunasa - check their tour dates for a venue near
you - they regularly tour all over the place and are one of the best
bands in the world you can catch for Irish music. Two of
my all-time favorite albums are Lunasa's
second album
Otherworld from 1999, and Sean's solo album
The Blue Fiddle from 1993 - great stuff! if you
have any vague interest at all in Irish music or
folk music you should definitely get these albums.
-
Cora and Breda Smyth (cousins) - Cora and Breda are
fiddlers and whistle players extraordinaire - they have
done an amazing amount of muscial stuff including being the
featured fiddlers in Lord of the Dance
for several years, various RTE and
BBC programs, playing at Madison Square Garden, Wembley
Arena, the Kremlin Palace, and recently released a new album
to great acclaim - its hard to keep up with the cousins!
Of course not all the Smyths have artistic talent - this
Web page layout is a good example :)