Another fiddler influential in the music of Clonmany was Neily McColgan, a blind fiddler from Ballyliffen. When not entertaining on pleasure boat trips on the Foyle or boat trips to Scotland, Neily was called upon to play for big events in the community. Travelling musicians by the name of McGinley and Gallagher were frequent visitors to the area as well as Pat McDonald and the famous Doherty brothers.
Jimmy Mc Bride (singer) a native of Gaoth Dobhair moved to Buncrana in the 60s. Jimmy has made a major contribution to traditional singing in Inishowen setting up The Inishowen singer’s Circle in 1988.
The Gleneely Ceili Band performed at local dances around the area playing music for céilí and popular songs of the day. Jim and Archie Warnock, James Bradley, Frank Griffin, Mickey Curley, John Mc Gonagle and on occasion Deirdre Mc Grory (nee Doherty) joined them on vocals. During the 1950s the O’Kane family band with members John, Tom, Patrick and Annie Kane, the Tremone dance band, George Mc Laughlin and his band played in O’Kane’s Hall, Lecamey, Bob Carey’s loft Carrowmena and dance halls popular at the time such as Bocan hall, the Wee Hall Culdaff , The Swansea- Drumaweir, Shroove Cafe and Moville.
Born in 1932 Anthony McHenry from Glenagiveny has been the main source of music for the communities around Greencastle, Moville. Anthony’s parents Mary Doherty, from Carndonagh and Barney McHenry, from Glenagivney both came from singing families, Barney also played concertina, button accordion, flute and whistle and was self-taught.
Anthony was self-taught originally and formed a 3 piece band with his cousin Lawrence McHenry(10yrs his senior) and his brother-in-law James McCann (20yrs his senior). The 3 played C/C# button accordions, however Anthony also plays piano accordion and violin and the viola.
By Lauren O’Connor, Malin Head, May 2021.
Lauren is a grand-niece of Neil Toland. She plays both fiddle and piano and is a graduate of Trinity College Dublin with a BA in Music and Irish.
Neil Toland was born on the 11th May 1911, son of Patrick and Catherine Toland of Malin Head Co. Donegal. Neil was one of Patrick and Kate’s fourteen children. His inspiration to music came from his father who played the fiddle which inspired Neil to pick up the instrument. He began his musical life playing the violin by ear but wasn’t happy with it therefore used the ‘Peter Wiper’ violin tutor book and later attended lessons with Sheila White (McGonigle) from Ballyliffin which he continued for eighteen months. Sheila encouraged him to go into an exam which led him to obtain his distinction on the violin. Despite his playing of the violin, it is his accordion playing that became his trademark up to his death. In his younger years, Neil had worked on a farm in the local area and this is where he learned to play the button accordion. The man whom he worked for owned an accordion and gave Neil the opportunity to play it while on his breaks. From this job, he saved his wages and bought himself his first accordion.
From L-R, John (Addy) McLaughlin, Eamon Gallagher, Jim Neery and Neil Toland all original members of Malin Head Folk group
Neil spent 43 years of his life serving as Postman in the local Malin Head area which allowed him to get to know the people. He served as a postman throughout the day and would play music at night for all types of audiences. Neil had many musical companions including his good friend John Donovan. Neil and John played together on several occasions including a concert in Malin Head hall on St. Patrick’s night in 1933 with John on the fiddle and Neil on the accordion. Their friendship extended beyond the music. John was present as the best man at Neil’s wedding to Bridget McLaughlin in the Star of the Sea Church in Malin Head on the 10th November 1938 as well as becoming godfather to Neil’s second child. In 1932, around the time when Eamon DeValera got into power, the Victory Dance Band was formed with two of its members including John Donovan and Neil Toland. An interview with Neil conducted by ICRfm in 2004, allowed Neil to recall his memories with his dear friend as he stated; ‘We didn’t go anywhere without one another’. Neil was truly devastated to have lost his friend when John died aged 35.
From L-R, Eugene Crampsey, Malin, William Boyle, Derry, and Neil Toland Malin Head
Alongside Neil and John, the Victory Dance Band consisted of musicians John and Michael Doherty (Sprigger). The band played dances which ranged from ceilís, waltzs, polkas, shoe the donkey etc. The original line-up of the Victory Dance Band later renamed themselves ‘The Seaside Serenaders’. Aside from the Victory Dance Band, Neil was also part of the Malin Head Folk Group. He enjoyed playing many events including his casual performances in the local sessions as well as for those in Kathleen Connolly’s Village Homes in Malin Town where he played in the Daycare Centre. Anyone who had the pleasure of meeting or playing with Neil will understand the passion he held for his music. He was and still is a very well-respected musician in the Malin/Malin Head area. Neil sadly passed away on the 31st August 2008 aged 97.
Neil Toland, Malin Head 2005
John Donovan (1914-1949) from Inistrahull island was a major influence on the music in the Malin area. John was born in 1914 and learnt his music primarily by ear. However he could read tonic solfa, and later his good friend Neil Toland taught him to read staff notation.
John Donovan was a popular singer and entertainer and in 1945 he made commercial recordings of six songs accompanied by Albert Healy.
John was a fine fiddler and also used the fiddle like a ukulele to accompany his singing. He died in 1949.
John Donovan, (1914-1949) Inishtruhall Island
Seamus with grand daughter Christina
Seamus Grant (1934 – 2005) recalls as a boy that in nearly every house in his townland an instrument could be found usually a melodeon or fiddle. Seamus Grant himself learnt much of his music from his parents, his uncle, Willie Joe Grant and neighbour (White) Dan Doherty who was later to become his father in law. White Dan was a fiddler, singer and dancer and a great source of tunes, many learned during harvest time in Scotland.
Kevin Mc lafferty origionally from Mayo and like Paddy Mc Laughlin taught music in the Moville area. Currently Ceolan School of Music under the direction of Clodagh Warnock has seen a renewed interest in traditional music in Moville.
Kevin McLaverty
Dinny Mc Laughlin
In Buncrana and the Inishowen area in general no one has made as much of a contribution to traditional music and danncing as much as Dinny Mc laughlin (white harra). Dinny began teaching in 1958 at the age of 23 and continued for over 40 years. During his period of teaching Dinny taught in nearly every primary school in Inishowen producing many fine musicians. Dinny produced many groups for fleadh competition and through Craobh na h-Inse CCE his groups won All-Ireland titles concecutavely in the late 1970s-80s. Solo musicians who credit Dinny’s for his teaching include, Jimmy Mc Bride, Ciaran Tourish, Liz Doherty, Mairead Mooney, Michael Carey, Teresa Mc Clure (nee Doherty), Brenda Barron, Roisin Mc Grory (nee Harrigan).
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