Micho Russell (1915 - 1994)

Micho Russell was born in 1915 in Doolin, Co. Clare. The area is rugged and windswept and looks straight across to the Aran Islands. Both his parents were native Irish speakers but spoke English to their children. The people of the area grew their own potatoes, kept a few animals and cut turf for winter warmth. Practically every house had a cheap German concertina played usually by the woman of the house. The people gathered in designated houses for a ’cuaird’ or ’soiree’ - a night of storytelling, singing