Seán ‘ac Dhonncha influenced him greatly. He earned 1999 (Cló Iar-Chonnacht CICD140 a reputation as one of Ireland’s Rogha Amhrán). The references (Johnny Joe Pheaitsín – 1919-1996) finest traditional singers, and had to Loughrea, Portumna and a wide repertoire of songs in both the Shannon, however, would Irish and English. He won the suggest that the song might have Oireachtas Sean-Nós Competition originated in the east of County in 1953 and was awarded the Galway. One story tells that the ‘Gradam Shean-Nós Cois Life’ lovers’ plan to marry was opposed in 1995. He was the first singer by the girl’s family and that the to be recorded by Gael Linn on young couple eloped. Her family their series of 78rpm recordings pursued them and the poet made in 1957: these recordings are good his escape by swimming now available on Seoltaí Séide the Shannon river, leaving his (Gael Linn CEFCD184). Other beloved behind. He emigrated recordings include An Aill Bháin - to America and in his chagrin he The White Rock (Claddagh CC9) vowed to marry the first woman he and An Spailpín Fánach (Cló Iar- encountered there and so wound Chonnachta CICD006), plus tracks up marrying a ‘street woman’. on various compilations including, Grand Airs Of Connemara (Topic Seán sings a ‘macaronic’ 12T177), More Grand Airs Of version of the song, a version Connemara (Topic 12T202) and that is in both the Irish and A recent and important release on the Veteran Amhráin Ar An Sean-Nós (RTÉ CD English languages. Macaronic 185). songs seem to have gained label featuring the sean-nós singing of several currency during the 19th key singers from around Co. Galway. Seán opens the collection on this century as knowledge of the Veteran CD by singing Mná Bán’ English language became more Photo: Pádraig Mac Donnchadha Deas’ Bhaile Locha Riach (The widespread. The publishing Fair Lasses Of Loughrea). Several of macaronic songs on by Éamonn Ó Bróithe and John Howson different versions of this love song broadsheets seems to have Seán was born in An Aird Thiar, teaching in County Cavan from are found in Connemara in the played an important role in their Carna. The son of a fisherman, 1947 and later spending 25 years Irish language and are known by dissemination and indeed a his collection of songs influenced by Irish sean-nós impressed upon their memories contacts and continued to visit he had three brothers and seven as principal of Ahascragh national different titles (Neilí Bhán, Mná macaronic version of this song, was recorded in Galway singing. Then he joined the and other aspects of a lifestyle the area on holiday on numerous sisters. He married Bríd Ní Eidhin school in East Galway. Bána Bhaile Locha Riach). A similar to Seán’s version, was Tby Terry Yarnell during the London based study group that contrasted with their own other occasions. At least that was in 1956 and they had five children. neighbour of Seán ‘ac Dhonncha, published in Dublin in the 19th He spent most of his working Music and singing were always Dara Bán Mac Donnchadha, century: A Much Admired Song early 1970s. Born in 1939 in east known as the Critics under the experience as Londoners. the official family reason; Terry life as a primary school teacher, in the family and his mother recorded a very fine version in Called The Loughrea Lasses. London, his father, also Terry, leadership of Ewan MacColl and always had his tape recorder with was married to Nora (née Coote) Peggy Seeger. They were very The 1960s and 1970s however him! who was of Irish ancestry. Terry aware that the Irish traditional was a period of great economic attended a Catholic school with music scene was still vibrant while and social change for Connemara The particular contacts they Pádraic Ó Conghaile competitions for the first time in Such is the general plot of the lots of Irish pupils including his MacColl described the English and County Galway. The singers made included Pat Phádraic Tom 1954, after winning a local sean- 12th century French Pastourelle best friend, whose house he often one as moribund. At this time, whom the Yarnells met were from Ó Conghaile and Tom Pháidín (Pat Phádraic Tom – 1922-2010) nós competition. He won second which seems to have been visited, and as he remembered, Galway singer Joe Heaney was a the first generation of Irish people Tom Ó Coisdealbha (or as Terry place in Comórtas na bhFear introduced into Ireland by the “There was Irish music playing all regular participant at MacColl and since independence and had lived would know him - Tom Costello). (the men’s competition) in 1955 French-speaking Anglo-Normans. of the time.” Still in east London, Seeger’s Singers’ Club in London. through decades of economic Terry got on with him very well and he was awarded first place Many of these themes can be Terry met his wife Mary who was stagnation and continuing in 1956. Later he taught sean-nós found in English-language song born in Cork city, through her It was suggested that a recording emigration, when social networks and remembered him as a lovely gentle man, who often regretted singing to young children in an however it is in the Irish-language brother. Terry was a member of field trip to Connemara should be in rural areas tended to be very Gaelacadamh in An Spidéal from tradition one finds the original that he couldn’t remember songs. a skiffle group in the late 1950s, undertaken by someone from the localised. Innovations such 1980 until 1992. themes and motifs of the medieval He’d sing them during the day and from there he followed the Critics group with the possibility as the car and the television French tradition most faithfully then in the evening when he met common route to traditional folk of producing an LP record. It were bringing Irish-speaking There were only two previous adhered to. music. He visited folk clubs, was arranged that Terry would communities into a much more up with Terry he couldn’t recall published recordings of his particularly one in Ilford, east be accompanied by flute player complex involvement with the what he’d sung. Terry and a group singing: on Tógfaidh Mé Mo This song is well known in the London, but most of the music Gabe O’Sullivan, originally from broader English-speaking world of friends tried to help by giving Sheolta (Cló Iar-Chonnachta south where it is assumed that at that time was American Headford, Co. Galway, and that in Ireland and elsewhere that was Tom a small portable cassette CIC088) and Pat Phádraig Tom (a the Eochaill (literally Yew Wood) influenced. they should conduct a two-week to provide a profound challenge recorder, although he was never CD released privately by his family in question is the town of Youghal sortie. Gabe was living in London to the maintenance of Irish as sure if Tom got the hang of using it. in 2013). in County Cork. Pat however It was a BBC radio programme and was very active in the London a vernacular. The appreciation maintained that the Eochaill in presented by English singer and Irish music scene and, even more and social function of traditional During his further trips, particularly Pat sings four songs on the CD, question could well be a place of folklorist A.L Lloyd, The Folk Music importantly, he had a portfolio of song was similarly challenged one in 1972, he recorded Tom one of which is Eochaill (Youghal). that name on the Aran Islands. Virtuoso, that was possibly a contacts in the west of Ireland. So by changes in fashions, tastes Pháidín Tom, Pádraic Ó Conghaile The noble swain describes in the However, the young woman is off they went - Gabe had made and modes of entertainment. In turning point for Terry. During the and Colm Ó Caoidheáin (Colm first person how he wandered out looking for the way to Cappoquinn programme, which featured music the contacts beforehand and in contrast, the work of broadcasters, Keane). He also recorded mainly early on a sunny morning through in County Waterford which would from all corners of the world, 1970 they made the first field trip the Oireachtas festival and the instrumental music further south in the woods or the countryside. seem to locate it in the South East. Lloyd played a recording of Úna and recorded Seán ‘ac Dhonncha, publication of recordings by He chances to meet a country Co. Clare. Bhán (Lament For Úna Bhán) by a Cáit Uí Chonluain and the Keane Gael-Linn did much to promote girl herding, picking rushes or In an Ulster version (Maidin singer from Carna in Co. Galway, family. the prestige of the art at a national engaged in some other rustic Fhómhair) the girl is making Terry has created a remarkable Seán Jeaic mac Dhonncha. Terry level, and the work of Seán Ó Photo: Terry Yarnell chore. He briefly describes her for Feochoill near Forkhill in felt the singing was beautiful with Terry’s memory of this first Riada and others was about to body of recorded performances beauty. A conversation ensues County Armagh. Edward Bunting an almost primitive feel. recording trip to the west of usher in an era of renewed interest which, without his insight, might in which the poet attempts to published the melody of the Ulster Ireland was that the way of life in Irish traditional music in Ireland never have been heard. These Pat was born in Leitir Péic, An stories.