The late writer and broadcaster’s album, made with Simon O’Reilly, Myles O’Reilly and Crash Ensemble, is out today on Claddagh Records, with a sold-out National Concert Hall performance tonight.
Manchán Magan’s final spoken-word work, Slí na Samhlaíochta (The Way of Imagination), is out today on Claddagh Records. Magan, the writer and broadcaster who died in October 2025 at the age of 55, is heard across four tracks, with his words underscored by ambient compositions from producer and composer Simon O’Reilly, co-written with Myles O’Reilly.
The album grew out of a piece Magan performed at the Hedge School Festival in Doolin in 2023, built around Tír na nÓg, the Otherworld. It was recorded at the National Concert Hall this summer with Crash Ensemble, vocalist Branwen Kavanagh and harpist Méabh McKenna, then finished in Doolin with violinist Ultan O’Brien and double bassist Neil Ó Lochlainn.
To mark the release, the National Concert Hall presents a one-off live performance of the album tonight under Simon O’Reilly’s musical direction. The show is sold out, with special guests Lisa O’Neill, Liam Ó Maonlaí, Crash Ensemble, Colm Mac Con Iomaire, Méabh McKenna, Myles O’Reilly, Branwen Kavanagh, Neil Ó Lochlainn and Ultan O’Brien.
Slí na Samhlaíochta tracklist
- An Saol Eile (The Other World)
- An Craobh Airgid (The Silver Branch)
- In am ar n’Gatair (Our Time Of Need)
- Corrghuineacht (Crane-Magic)
Available on record, CD and more.
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Niall Byrne is the founder of the most-influential Irish music site Nialler9, where he has been writing about music since 2005. He is the co-host of the Nialler9 Podcast and has written for the Irish Times, Irish Independent, Sunday Times, Totally Dublin, Cara Magazine, Red Bull and more. Niall is a DJ, co-founder of Lumo Club, event curator, Indie Sleaze club promoter, and producer of gigs and monthly listening parties & events in Dublin.
