Congratulations to Dallán Woods from 2nd Year who features in the film Trad which had its premiere in Dublin on Wednesday 6 May. Dallán, who is 15, is already well known among traditional music groups for his talent and is part of the school trad group. Dallán is an amazing talent.
Filmed in the summer of 2024, Trad follows a talented young fiddle player, Shona McAnally (played by Gaoth Dobhair musican and fiddler Megan Nic Fhionnghaile), and her younger brother, played by Dallán, as they leave the Gaeltacht with a group of musicians. This road-trip movie becomes a cross country odyssey filled with adventure, romance and an exploration of Ireland’s musical traditions.
The film, which had a special screening in Buncrana Cinema , has already gained traction, winning the Audience Award at the Galway Film Festival. It is directed by Lance Daly, who is best known for directing Black ’47.
Coming from a well-known musical family, Dallán grew up steeped in the traditions that underpin the film’s narrative. His mother, the renowned fiddler and academic Liz Doherty, is one of Donegal’s best-known traditional musicians and educators. His father, Jim Woods, is a respected musician and teacher who has long played a central role in developing young trad players in Inishowen and runs Scoil Trad Buncrana.
Well done Dallán, we know you have a bright future ahead of you.