Influential trad group Shaskeen celebrate ruby anniversary

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"ACCOMPLISHED MUSICIAN and band leader Tom Cussen grew up in the Broadford/Newcastle west area of Co Limerick – known locally as ‘the gateway to the south west of Ireland’ – in the early 1960s.

From an early age he was drawn towards traditional Irish music and was fortunate in that he lived in close proximity to the trad heartland just across the border in counties Clare, Kerry, and Cork.

“When I was growing up I used to go to hear the Tulla and the Kilfenora ceili bands playing,” Tom recalls. “Certainly there was a lot of music in the area but it was in very small confined cliques.

“While my own father and mother weren’t great musicians they certainly were always interested in music and were forever listening to the radio. You just had to shut up and listen quietly when the wireless was on! I suppose I sort of picked up their love of music by association and developed it much later.”"

Influential trad group Shaskeen celebrate ruby anniversary - Galway Advertiser - June 03, 2010.: