Dick Glasgow

Welcome!

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Dick Glasgow .... {aka Ptarmigan}

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I play and promote the playing of Traditional Music, on the Causeway Coast of North Antrim, on the island of Ireland.

You'll find details here on the various aspects of my musical life, including my Music Tuition in Primary Schools, the music my wife and I play for Weddings and the music we play in costume for Medieval Events & Films.
You can also check out my pages on the various Musical Instruments I play, including the Fiddle, Mandolin, Tenor Banjo, Tenor Guitar, Anglo Concertina, English Concertina & Hammered Dulcimer
There are a few details too, on some of my more extravegent ventures, like my old Black Nun Folk Club & the Traditional Music festival I organised for Bushmills: The Causeway Dulcimer Festival

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You will also find details of the local weekly Pub Sessions I anchor, at the House of McDonnell, Ballycastle, the Springhill Bar, Portrush, the Bushmills Inn, Bushmills & the Anchor Bar, Portstewart.
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Feel free to comment on anything you see or read here, or if you want more details, just drop me an eMail.
In the meantime, I hope you enjoy browsing & to put you in the mood, here is an example of the music I enjoy playing.
An Irish Reel, with myself on Fiddle & Co. Antrim musician John Hughes on Uilleann Pipes.

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2: My role as a Music Tutor!

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Having been blessed with a love of Traditional Music, handed down to me through my Grandfather who was a Piper & Fiddler & my Great Grandfather who was also a Fiddler, I feel I must do my best to pass this interest on, to as many people as possible.
Of course it can be a hard job, when you end up teaching in locations like this one below, Glenariff.

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The photo above, shows myself & the late Mary Mulholland on Piano plus John Moulden on Bodhran and a group of my students from different backgrounds, performing at a Cross Community concert in Coleraine, Co. Derry, in the late 1990s.

The cross community aspect of my work is very important to me & I teach daily, on a number of instruments, in local Primary Schools of all denominations.
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I also teach in the evening to adults & with Sabine give talks in schools on the history & development of musical instruments.

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For more information on this work, please check out my School Blogs

Traditional Music Tuition in Co Antrim Schools

History of Musical Instruments in Ulster

Also, these pages from my own website.

Traditional Music Tuition in Schools

Musical Presentations in Schools

My Own Music School Success

Adult Classes

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View a Slideshow of photos of myself & my students.

Tuition Slideshow

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At the Northern Lights Fest in Ballycastle, in 1996, I was invited to teach the Banjo/Mandolin class and the following year I was given the role of Music School Director for the festival.

Fiddling on stage in the Diamond, Ballycastle at the Northern Lights Fest.

Northern Lights Fest, Ballycastle
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Here's a video of me demonstrating the art of the Hammered Dulcimer, an instrument long associated with the Glens of Antrim.

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3: Recordings, Radio, TV & Film Work!

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Like many full time musicians, I have a number of strings to my bow.

Put another way, when it comes to Traditional Music, I am quite content to be a jack of all trades ..... & master of none!

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A few years ago, I produced two tapes and one CD, promoting the music of this region.

Tape one: Rathlin Sound

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Tape Two: To the Bridge

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For these tapes, I chose numerous local musicians

to play the variety of North Antrim tunes I selected for this project.

For the CD From a Northern Shore

I wrote a number of tunes especially for this project.

'From a Northern Shore'

Traditional Music from the Causeway Coast

by Dick Glasgow

Quote #1 “Dick is a Scot and lives in Co. Antrim. He is a man who's happy and contented in two music traditions, and this is reflected in the tunes he has composed.” by Aidan O'Hara

Quote #2 "It’s a magnificent CD from the great Scotsman living in Co. Antrim.

A wonderful mixture between Irish and Scottish traditions."
by Mich Nielsen

Quote #3 "The tunes are mostly original, with the traditional one here and there. Dick's own evoke memories of fellow musicians, the local scenery and characters." by Thomas Keller

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If you would like to judge for yourself, you can listen to many of the tracks from the CD, plus a few more {24 in all}, played on a variety of instruments, at my:

ezFolk Music Station

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If you have a strong constitution, you can also listen here to a song from the CD, which I wrote in memory of the late Tommy Cecil - a former Ferry Man on Rathlin Island.

Rathlin Ferry
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A few years back, local North Antrim Rhymer Charlie Gillen approached me & asked if I would like to produce the music for a CD project he was working on. I of course jumped at the opportunity & after gathering up a group of musicians, & using my own online nickname for the title of the group, I arranged a number of pieces of music & sets of tunes, which I felt gently complimented the Rhymes.

'Whun a' the Kye had Names'

By Charlie Gillen & Ptarmigan

Quote #1 "Musically this album is a little treat, & don't be put off by the "Scottish Traditional Music" in the title, the tunes here have a definite Irish accent."

"They also point to the wealth of the musical tradition we share across the two communities."

by Sean Laffey

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I composed an atmospheric piece of music, The Mysts of Loughareema, for a CD which celebrated a huge Medieval event which took place at Shanes Castle, an estate I actually worked on as a Beat Keeper, back in the early 1970s.

Anyway, the music was performed by Sabine & I on Hammered Dulcimer, Bowed Psaltery, Clarsach, Viol, Renaisce Flute, Side Drum, Rainmaker, Harmonium & Bombarde.

Ancient Lands

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To celebrate the musical achievements of a number of my young Ballycastle students, I recorded & produced a CD of their playing, which was great fun.

The Bandits
Local Storyteller Liz Weir generously gave her time to be involved in this project & her stories certainly helped to make the CD a really special memory for the kids.
You can read a review of this wee project by Aidan O'Hara ... Here!
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A few years ago, a film crew arrived in Ballintoy to film a TV advert, promoting Ireland as a holiday destination. The Harbour cafe recieved a face lift, and suddenly found ifself with stained glass windows and a thatched roof.
You can see myself & Dominic McNabb fiddling, to the right of this photograph.

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When the opportunity arrises, I am also delighted to be given an opportunity to promote the music on TV on shows like the BBCs

Blas Ceoil

I play the Fiddle in these four videos from the Blas Ceoil show, along with two very fine musicians Ciaran Kelly & Ciaran Curran.

These were filmed in the Old Pals Bar in Derrygonnelly, Co. Fermanagh.

The Dernawilt Jig, Port Conallach & Con Cassidys

The Cuilcagh Polkas / The Sliabh Lucan Polka

Joe Ryan's Waltz / Jimí Bhidí Mhicís Waltz

Le Reel du champs de bleuets / Le Reel des voyageurs

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In these four Blas Ceoil videos, I play Anglo Concertina, Tenor Guitar, Mandolin & Hammered Dulcimer, along with three other usual suspects from our weekly session, Adrian Jefferies, Jerry O'Donnell & Paul McAuley.

This time the show was filmed in The House of McDonnell, Ballycastle Co. Antrim.

My Former Wife / Snug in the Blanket

The Boys of Sandy Row / An Buachaillín Bán

Spike Island Lassies / Scotch Mary / Boil the Breakfast Early

Rathlin Air / Turfahun Barndance / Kate Marie / Rathlin Reel

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I also appeared on BBC 1's 'Country Tracks'

The show ended up at one of my weekly sessions in the Springhill Bar, Portrush, where, as well as featuring clips of the musicians & their music, I was interviewed at length by the lovely Ellie Harrison and gave her a brief lesson in the art of playing the Bodhran.

BBC 1's Country Tracks

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On the new BBC Ulster Scots website there's a recording of an interview,

I gave in 2004, where I express a few thoughts

on Ulster Scots Music.

Interview: Part 1

Interview: Part 2

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A few years back, Colum Sands kindly invited me to play on his long standing radio prog, which gave me an opportunity to promote the sound of the Hammered Dulcimer & remind folks of it's strong connection with Co. Antrim.

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For the movie Your Highness, myself, my wife Sabine & friends Sam & Ferris recorded a few tracks of music for the soundtrack. We also appeared briefly in the film itself ... but don't blink!

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For a number of years I wrote a weekly column Traditional Notes, for the Ballymoney Times.
Here are links to two of those articles, which promoted all manner of traditional aspects of both Irish & Scottish culture in North Antrim.
Nat Magee RIP
Bring Back the Hammered Dulcimer
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Our group Scad the Beggars, has just been recorded playing Scottish Traditional Music & Song for a forthcoming series of Santer, a TV series which promotes the Scottish aspects of the culture in Northern Ireland ...... so watch this space!

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To conclude this section, here's a video clip of my most famous teaching situation.

This is right at the start of the movie 'The Boys & Girl from County Clare'.

I was lucky enough to be given the opportunity to, not only play my Fiddle in this scene, but also to choose the tune for the scene, the jig The Rolling Waves, an old favourite of mine.

Needless to say our playing was dubbed over by the film's soundtrack.

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4: Wedding Music!

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My wife Sabine & I regularly play for Wedding Ceremonies, Wedding Drinks Receptions & for Wedding Ceilis.

For more details please check our:

Wedding Music Blog

and our:

Wedding Music Web Page

Here we are, in Carrickfergus Castle, playing the sort of music that often suits such events.

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5: Irish Traditional Music!

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Myself & good friend Ciaran Kelly sharing a few tunes.
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Traditional Music has been my life for many, many years now.

I attended my first Traditional Music session in Co. Meath, way back in 1970, saw the Dubliners in concert in Clonmel in 1971 & have been hooked ever since.
To learn more about my musical journey, check out my Profile.
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I started my own Music School, here in North Antrim, back in 1995 and in 1996 I worked for my TTCT (Traditional Music Teaching Certificate) in Dublin, & the following year, gave up the day job to teach Traditional Music full time.

However, with no financial help from the likes of the local Arts Council or any Tax Incentives from the powers that be, it is certainly not an easy way to make a living, but I find it very rewarding.

I have no idea how many full time musicians there are out there, actually promoting Traditional Music for a living, but I'm sure there can't be too many!

As well as my daily tuition in local Schools & the odd evening class, I am also involved in anchoring 4 local weekly Pub Sessions.

Playing my Banjo in a Session at the Edinburgh Folk Festival - 1980.

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Anyway, these are my local sessions here on the Causeway Coast, which run every Thursday, Friday, Saturday & Monday nights.

The Springhill Bar, Portrush

The Anchor Bar, Portstewart

The House of McDonnell, Ballycastle

The Bushmills Inn, Bushmills

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Maurice Bradley, Ciaran Kelly & myself - the usual session suspects!
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To get a real flavour of the atmosphere at our local sessions, you might like to check out the photos in my slideshow below.

Slideshow of Causeway Sessions Photos

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I have also taken musicians, both young students & mature players, from Co Antrim to Scotland, to promote the music over there.

Playing with John Hughes, Kathleen Smyth & Scottish musicians in the street in Campbeltown, Argyll.
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If you are planning to visit North Antrim & would like to share some music with us,

please get in touch.

We are not just about tunes either, so if you are a singer or a lover of songs, then please check out this link for more information on our Saturday night Ballad Session group:

Scad the Beggars

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Here's a video of me playing Fiddle on a recent edition of Blas Ceoil on BBC2, with a couple of excellent musicians, Ciaran Kelly & Ciaran Curran.

The Dernawilt Jig, Port Conallach & Con Cassidys

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6: Scottish Traditional Music!

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My Great Grandfather was a Fiddler and worked on the land in East Lothian, Scotland, as a Ploughman & I'm proud to say I still have his Fiddle, while my Grandad was a Piper & a Fiddler and worked on the land too before working on the railway & with explosives as a Miner. Anyway, I was myself born in Edinburgh, with a Mother who was very fond of all good music & proud of her roots, so I think it's only natural that I grew up with a strong love & understanding of Scottish Music.
My maternal Grandfather was actually from Letterkenny, Donegal, so for me to end up living here, playing Irish & Scottish Music, is in many ways just like coming home.
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Here in Co. Antrim the Traditional Music of Scotland & Ireland are strongly entwined and, given the fact that the Scottish mainland is within sight & just a short boat trip away, it is not so surprising that Scottish Music has always been very popular with the local musicians.
You are sure to hear Scottish & Irish tunes at any session, concert or musical gathering in this area.
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Here I am playing John Murray of Lochee on the Mandolin.

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On the new BBC Ulster Scots website there's a recording of an interview,

I gave in 2004, where I express a few thoughts

on the Scottish Music played here.

Interview: Part 1

Interview: Part 2

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Here's a video of me playing, with Sabine on Harp, the well known Scottish tune Highland Laddie on the English Concertina, an instrument which is far more popular in Scotland than the Anglo Concertina.

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The Hammered Dulcimer is an instrument with a long history in Co. Antrim & is believed to have first arrived on these shores from Scotland.
Here I am playing a selection of Scottish Tunes, the Strathspey The Braes of Tulliemet & the 6/8s Scarce o' Tatties & Drummond Castle, on my own Hammered Dulcimer.

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If you have a strong constitution, you can also listen here to a song from the CD, which I wrote in memory of the late Tommy Cecil - a former Ferry Man on Rathlin Island.

Rathlin Ferry

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A few years back, local North Antrim Rhymer Charlie Gillen approached me & asked if I would like to produce the music for a CD project he was working on. I of course jumped at the opportunity & after gathering up a group of musicians, & using my own online nickname Ptarmigan, for the title of the group, I arranged a number of pieces of music & sets of tunes, which I felt gently complimented the Rhymes.

'Whun a' the Kye had Names'

By Charlie Gillen & Ptarmigan

Quote #1 "Musically this album is a little treat, & don't be put off by the "Scottish Traditional Music" in the title, the tunes here have a definite Irish accent."

"They also point to the wealth of the musical tradition we share across the two communities."

by Sean Laffey

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For the past few years I have taught an evening Whistle class for adults, for the
Bushmills Ulster Scots Heritage
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To finish this section, Here I am playing the Fiddle in this clip, which shows our group Scad the Beggars playing a selection of Scottish Tunes, The Keel Row, The Marques of Huntly's Highland Fling & Lexy McAskill on Scottish Smallpipes, Fiddle, Harp & Guitar.

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7: Early Irish Music!

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My wife Sabine & I are very fond of the Ancient Music of Ireland and we regularly play this Music, in authentic period costume, at various Historic venues & Events throughout the year.

Here we are playing in our Medieval style Tent, as part of a Medieval Village.

We work regularly for & with Irish Arms who are the leading Historical Reenactment Company in Ireland.

Irish Arms

I have a Blog with details of our musical presentations.

History of Musical Instruments in Ulster

For more information on the work we do in this field, check out my web page.

Period Music in Costume

Here is a video taken of us playing in Carrickfergus Castle, Co. Antrim.

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*Here is a video of us, plus friends Sam & Ferris, playing period music & instruments,

in our period tent, at a Medieval Joust on the Causeway Coast.

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8: Musical Tributes!

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Here are a few musical video tributes, using my own compositions in memory of characters, mostly musical, of North Antrim.

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Sam Stevenson
In memory of the late Sam Stevenson, of Broughshane Co. Antrim, who was a well respected Fiddle Maker & Fiddle Player.

Sam Stevenson from Dick Glasgow on Vimeo.

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The Black Nun {Julia McQuillan}:
The Friary is supposed to be haunted by the Ghost of the Black Nun, Julia McQuillan, who lived there alone after the Friary fell out of use in 1641. The story is that the Black Nun was murdered on the steps leading to the upper floor of the Friary.

The Black Nun! from Dick Glasgow on Vimeo.

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Sean McGlaughlin
Two tunes I composed, as a tribute to the late, great Fiddle player, Sean McGlaughlin of Armoy, known locally as The Shadow.

Sean McGlaughlin - The Shado3EDick Glasgow on Vimeo.

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Frank McCollam
A set of Frank McCollam tunes, played by Co. Antrim Fiddlers Dominic McNabb Chris McCormick, Denis Sweeney & Dick Glasgow, plus Mary Mullholland on Piano.

Frank McCollam! from Dick Glasgow on Vimeo.

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Mary Mulholland
In memory of Mary Mulholland, All Ireland Champion Piano player from Ahoghill, Co. Antrim, who is playing the Piano on this set of Reels.

< * * * * * * * * * I wrote this song, Rath3C/rryman" of Rathlin Island,owscriptaccess" value="always">
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Jim McGill
I composed these two Polkas in memory of Jim McGill, a North Antrim Fiddle player, who taught numerous youngsters around Ballycastle the joys of playing Traditional music.

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Tommy Cecil
I wrote this song, Rathlin Ferry, in memory of Tommy Cecil "The Ferryman" of Rathlin Island, who sailed the ferry from Rathlin to Ballycastle for many, many years & carried thousands of passengers safely, to & fro.

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John Macnaghten
John Macnaghten was hanged in 1761 for the accidental murder of his own beloved during a botched robbery, but when they were hanging him, the rope snapped at the first attempt, so the story goes that although he could have walked free, he asked them to try again, because he couldn't live, being known as Half-hanged Macnaghten.

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9: Black Nun Folk Club

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Back in the late '90s, I started a Folk Club up here on the Causeway Coast of Co. Antrim. I called it the Black Nun Folk Club & it ran well for eight years, as you will see if you check out this link to the old guest list.

Black Nun Guests

As you will see from that list, we brought in some well known musicians from far away, like Bert Jansch, John Renbourn, Johnny Moynihan, Chip Taylor, Jim Malcolm, King Masco, Mike Whelans, The Wrigley Sisters, Don Mescall, The Gordons, Harem Scarem, Tim Rose, Jim Page, Special Consensus, Malinky & the Foghorn Stringband.

The Foghorn Stringband
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Some folks didn't have to travel quite so far, like Colum Sands, Ben Sands, Mickey McConnell, Cathal McConnell, Marcus O'Murchu & Seamus O'Kane, Gerry O'Connor, Donal O'Connor, Paul Bradley & Colin Reid.

Colin Reid
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While we also did our best to promote local musical talent like Beoga, Anthony Toner, New Moon, John Moulden, Charlie Gillen, Mary Mulholland & Henry McCullough.

Henry McCullough
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In fact the local & now international group Beoga's first professional gig was actually at the Black Nun Folk Club.

You can learn more about the Folk Club here:

Black Nun Folk Club

As well as regular Folk Club nights, interesting Black Nun events included:

Glenarm Castle Concert

Black Nun Fest

Causeway Dulcimer Festival
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Anyway, to end, here's a video of me playing a set of tunes on the Anglo Concertina with a few friends in my local session pub, The House of McDonnell, Ballycastle.

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