Sad news at home in Ireland. Gentleman piper and maker Fergus Finnegan has passed away. He was one in a million, talented, generous sharp as a tack and accommodating. He loaned me a priceless historic set a little over a year for “as long as it takes.” He knew to recreate an instrument all the hidden nuances needed to be discovered through playing the instrument for several months initially before any other work could be considered. He was regularly on the phone to offer encouragement, guidance, providing much insightful information with large doses of gossip and crack heaped on for good measure. He lifted the All-Ireland senior uilleann pipe title twice in the 1980’s and could easily have been a pro. He chose to follow his academic training and became a much sought after tax advisor and consultant, but his heart always belonged to Irish Trad and the pipes in particular. It was Fergus who independently negotiated the tax break at home in Ireland for traditional instrument makers when others were dis-interested, such was his big heart he took on all the work and financial burdens completely on his own and never once stepped forward to claim any sort of adulation. A quiet, mild-mannered man who will be missed by all who were fortunate enough to have known him.
go ndéanaí Dia trócaire air.
Martin Preshaw