Josie McDermott takes first prize for his composition of a new lament in the traditional Irish musical style.
Cumann Merriman in cooperation with RTÉ are the organisers of a competition for the composition of a new lament or slow air in the traditional Irish musical style.
The winner with his composition 'Lament For a Fiddle Player' is 70 year old musician Josie McDermott of Coolmeen, Ballyfarnon in County Roscommon.
The £150 prize of is presented by RTÉ’s Head of External Affairs Seán Mac Réamoinn at the Merriman Winter School in Ballyvaughun, County Clare.
Josie McDermott is known as a traditional flute player but he is also a multi-instrumentalist with a love of jazz and modern music. Josie McDermott also has a keen interest in the music of the blind harpist and composer Turlough O'Carolan. At the age of 37, Josie McDermott himself lost his sight.
The Cumann Merriman competition attracted almost 100 entries from 20 counties in Ireland, with a number of entries also coming from England and Scotland.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 29 January 1978. The reporter is Nuala Ní Dhomhnaill.
