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Stories in Sound

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Radio Ulster brings together radio documentaries from UK and Irish broadcasters.

Radio Ulster brings together some of the best radio documentaries from UK and Irish broadcasters.

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Marty Cullen meets the Japanese people who are obsessed with Irish traditional music. 

Marty Cullen explores a growing subculture of Japanese people who are obsessed with Irish traditional music and the manner of life that surrounds it.

There is a growing subculture in Japan of people who are becoming obsessed with Irish traditional music and the way of life that surrounds it. In Japan there are now traditional music sessions, ceildh dances and even Irish music university societies. Its loyal followers are dedicated in their pursuit of an authentic Irish sound.

In this documentary, banjo player Marty Cullen meets Japanese musicians who have come to Ireland to fully integrate themselves into the tradition, and to make their livelihood from it.

This includes:

Lisako Ní Chionnaith is a Japanese fiddle player from Kyoto, who gave up a traditional upbringing in which her family was involved in the kimono industry to settle on Achill Island. She lives on the island with her husband Nollaig, a well-respected concertina player, and their daughter Mona. Lisako is passing on the Irish tradition to her daughter, as well as the rest of the kids in Achill. She has achieved her goal of being a full-time musician.

Yosiho is a harpist, storyteller and gaeilgeoir from Tokyo. Every summer Yosiho travels around the Gaeltacht areas of Ireland, playing music, telling stories and learning Irish. He learns fairy stories from old men in pubs in exchange for a pint of Guinness, translates them from Irish to Japanese, and makes his living in Japan telling Irish stories.

The Toyotaro Ceili Band is a super-group fusion of ten of Tokyo's top Irish traditional musicians, most of the group don't speak English and learnt the music from CDs and YouTube. They competed at the All Ireland Fleadh Cheoil during the summer.

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