Legendary music industry figure Alan Lomax will be honoured by Clannad’s Pól Brennan in Lomax in Éirinn, a film which will have its world premiere at this year’s Galway Film Fleadh.

A folk-musician in his own right, Lomax is renowned for his vast collection of field recordings from legendary performers in the genre such as Robert Johnson and Woody Guthrie. He is credited as playing a major role preserving folk music traditions across the world.

The documentary sees Brennan explore Lomax’s time in Ireland in the 1950s. His work in the country led to the first LP of Irish traditional music, one which the Galway Film Fleadh notes sowed the seeds for the trad revival of the 1970s.

Directed by Declan McGrath, the film’s talking heads also include Irish singer and record producer Iarla Ó Lionáird. He can be seen in the trailer available to watch below calling Lomax ‘one of the most important characters of the 20th century.’

“Lomax in Éirinn is a great music doc, even for people who don’t normally watch them. It does a great job of contextualising and reaffirming the value of great music,” says Galway Film Fleadh programme director Will Fitzgerald.

Clannad, O’Lionáird and McGrath are set to attend the premiere on July 11.

This year marks the 30th anniversary of the Galway Film Fleadh. It will take place between July 10-15.