New Mark Anthony McGrath album to be launched in Kilkenny
Senator Malcolm Noonan to launch the album at the Club House Hotel in Kilkenny
The music of Turlough O’Carolan performed on solo six-string and seven-string Terz guitars will be launched by Senator Malcolm Noonan at the Club House Hotel on Saturday, May 23 at 6.30pm.
A free event, all are welcome. Carolan is Kilkenny guitarist Mark Anthony McGrath’s sixth solo album and features 66 minutes of his unique interpretations of some of the bard’s most popular melodies alongside some less familiar gems.
Mark Anthony’s previous release The Weiss Machine features baroque lute music from Carolan’s time on a 13 string guitar he developed with Cork based luthier Harry McCormick with whom he again collaborated with in a 7 string Terz guitar which features on the new Carolan release.
Irish Music Magazine describing Champagne & Onions, his previous release said McGrath has made a masterpiece in this album.
In May 2025 he launched his concert show Carolan’s Weiss for Music in Kilkenny at Kilkenny Castle which featured many of the tracks on the new album.
McGrath’s distinctive arrangements find their inspiration in a variety of styles
McGrath’s distinctive arrangements find their inspiration in a variety of styles and features elements of Traditional, Jazz, Classical, Baroque, Latin American, rock, contemporary and world music.
Having originally studied classical guitar with John Feeley he gained a Masters in music performance from DTU conservatory but pursued diverse avenues in music including studying lute in New York, playing and producing with pop bands such as Engine Alley, performing for film and theatre production as well as concertising throughout Europe and the British Isles.
More recently, Mark has produced and co-performed shows of the music of Joni Mitchell entitled Blue and Beyond and Sincerely L Cohen, the songs of Leonard Cohen.
Carolan is available on CD and digital download with CD booklet from markanthonymcgrath.com.