Meet our Musicians- Rebecca Collins
Nestled on the rugged west coast of Ireland, Doolin is a picturesque village renowned for its vibrant traditional music scene. This small enclave in County Clare has earned a reputation as a musical epicenter, drawing enthusiasts and musicians from around the world. Steeped in rich cultural heritage, Doolin’s pubs come alive with the sound of fiddles, flutes, and bodhráns, creating an atmosphere that is as enchanting as it is authentic.
Here at Doolin Tourism, we are delighted to bring you the eighth in our series of “Meet the Musicians”. A glimpse into the world of some of our best loved artists that play music in Doolin. The local musicians of Doolin are the custodians of our treasured music tradition, ensuring that the soul of Irish music thrives in every corner of the village. Our next musician is Rebecca Collins.
Can you introduce yourself?
My name is Rebecca Collins and I’m from Kilnaboy in County Clare. I play the fiddle and started learning the fiddle when I was 5 years old.
How did you get into playing Irish Traditional Music?
I started out as a classical violinist when I was 5 and did this for a few years with a lovely lady in Corofin, at the time, called Zara Linger. I quickly discovered Traditional Irish Music when I was about 8 years old at the Corofin Traditional Festival and I thought it was the best thing since sliced bread! My Mam Bríd and her twin sisters Barbara and Kathrina played Irish music so I feel like I was always surrounded by it and where I was living too. So I transitioned into learning Traditional Irish music with Majella Shannon from Ruan and throughout the years I became a member of CCE The Burren with Garry Shannon and Majella and went on to compete and earn a few titles at various fleadhs. From there I graduated from college with an honours degree in the BA Irish Music and Dance (definitely not the dance part!!) and have never looked to go down a different path only music. I also would like to take this opportunity to thank these people named above for instilling my love for music.
Which musicians have influenced you the most?
There are a lot of musicians that I feel I am grateful for but there are a few who have really inspired and influenced me the most. One being Tony Linnane who is from up the road from me and his fiddle playing has such drive and rhythm. Two other Clare ladies who have influenced me a lot in the past are Majella Shannon of course who taught me for a long time starting out and Tara Breen who I’ve had the pleasure of learning off a few moons ago and playing with recently. I know Limerick were hard beat in the hurling the last few years (not this year mind you) but there is one thing you’ll find hard to beat, and that’s a Clare fiddle player! Three other fiddle players that I have admired for years are Tommy Peoples (RIP) from Donegal, Fergal Scahill from Galway and Tomas Callister from the Isle of Man.
How long have you been playing in Doolin and where do you usually play in the village?
I have been playing in Doolin for nearly 8 years now. I usually play in Fiddle and Bow and McGanns pub and I have often played in Anthonys/ The Doolin Inn, McDermotts pub and Hotel Doolin. I have even played a lovely gig at the pier and another one on a boat in Doolin once upon a time and it was great to play outside in the sunshine.
What makes Doolin so special in your opinion?
Doolin holds such a special place in my heart. I am so fond of it because it is the first place I started to play regular gigs and sessions. I love how much joy some Traditional Irish music can bring to the locals, tourists and holiday makers. I love being by the water anywhere in the world I go, and to be able to play music in Doolin and be so close to the water makes me so happy. I don’t think there is a single place on this planet like Doolin. I am so lucky as a musician to be able to do what I love in a place that I adore!
Can you share a special musical memory associated with Doolin?
I have a lot of special memories and friends made in Doolin. I have gotten so many great opportunities to play tunes with so many amazing musicians and to this day, I still get to play with them a couple of times a week in Doolin and I will always feel so grateful for this. Sure I wouldn’t know what a hop jig was if it wasn’t for Alan Reid!! The first special memory which comes to mind is my very first mic’d up gig in McDermotts pub about 8 years ago which I was so nervous for. David Crowe, a flute player from Lisdoonvarna asked me to play a gig with himself and Pat Marsh who is originally from East Clare and plays the bouzouki. We played tunes, laughed and joked the night away and I’ll never forget it. They definitely showed me the ropes! Another fond memory I have is again, playing a gig in Doolin. This time, I was playing in McGanns pub about 2 years ago with Eddie Costello who is a guitar player from Tipperary when John Williams on concertina and his wife Katie Grennan on fiddle walked in with their Wild Atlantic music tour group. Well when I tell you we had a great night, we had a phenomenal night of class tunes and I will not be forgetting it for a long time.
Thank you so much to Rebecca for joining us on meet the musicians- be sure to say hello to her the next time you see Rebecca gigging in Doolin!
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