The page mentions John O’Reilly, an old blind piper from Galway, and tells the story of the Piper and the Puca. There’s also a profile of Galway flute player Tom Morrison.
Notice that “P. Mulloney” competed in the Junior Uilleann piping competition. Some familiar names there - C. Droney, P. Tunney. Kitty Linnane, who competed in the “Any Instrument” category, is Tommy People’s mother-in-law.
"The death of Westmeath uileann piper Willie Reynolds was once again a reminder of how much the Irish nation owes those cultural visionaries who founded Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann in 1951. Willie was one of that small group who met on that day in Mullingar to sow the seed which future generations would harvest in abundance.
In his book ‘Memories of a Musicmaker’, Willie Reynolds displays an unshakeable commitment to the promotion and enhancement of his beloved country’s cultural traditions. In a quiet but determined way thoughout his life he dedicated himself to that task.
May the sod of his native earth nest lightly on this noble soul and may the music which saluted him at the final farewell be his legacy for all time. To his family we convey our heartfelt sympathy. appreciation and admiration.
The late “Seamus (well, actually Seumas) MacNeill” mentioned as adjudicator in the article on the fleadh in Loughrea once threw his clipboard (and, rumor has it, a few punches) at Gordon Duncan, a Highland piper whose standards are also remarkably high…Duncan responded by recording “Just For Seumas”, a highway salute at the grand old adjudicator (and also a cracking good album).
Is the Martin O Criochain mentioned in the fiddle competition Junior? Also note Peter Broderick and Peter Horan in the flute competition and P. (Paul?) Brock in the junior accordion competition.
I saw that Tom Rowsome photo (above) on the cover of An Piobaire a while ago. Does anyone know why he had that ribbon on his drone return? Just curious.
