Inishowen Traditional Music Project

KEVIN MacLAVERTY (1936-2002)

Kevin MacLaverty

Kevin was born in Belfast in October 1936 into a musical home. His father was the author Michael MacLaverty and his mother Molly was a great singer and pianist. Kevin spent his early childhood years in Strangford Co. Down and it was here that his passion for all things maritime began. His mother attempted to teach him piano at a young age – unsuccessfully, as many stories were told of how he tried to wriggle out of his lessons. Molly’s efforts eventually paid off though, as he returned to music during his college days, taking up the tin whistle. It was after hearing the piper Sean McAloon play in 1964 that Kevin was inspired to take up the uilleann pipes himself. He went on to compete in various Fleadhanna in duet competitions with the renowned fiddler Kathleen Smith.

Kevin moved to Moville in 1978 after taking up the job of Director of the National Fisheries School in Greencastle. In the early 1990’s, he was one of the founder members of the Comhaltas Cois Feabhail Branch which was based in Moville. They held monthly sessions and tin whistle classes and this helped reignite the interest in traditional music in the vicinity. He took up the traditional flute around 1990 and this was the instrument most associated with him in sessions. He was inspired by the lilting music of South Sligo and made many lifelong friendships with flute players from that area – especially the late Peter Horan.

Unfortunately Kevin died suddenly in December 2002 but the legacy he left behind is greatly appreciated by the people of Moville. His daughters Eimear and Aoife are carrying on the musical traditions locally and the MacLaverty House still has a welcome for musicians far and wide.

The small flame that Kevin started in 1990 has been fanned and his place has been cemented in Moville’s musical journey. He is sadly missed by his family and fellow musicians, particularly those with whom he played with regularly such as Sean McCrystal, Daniel Harkin, Paddy McLaughlin and many others.

Clodagh Warnock & Aoife MacLaverty

Moville 2021

Paddy McDonnell/Donald

Street Musician, Derry, Donegal, Scotch Boat and Moville Streamer

Written by Don McGinley, Moville

February 19, 2018

‘To the strains of O Mio on McDonalds Violin’

Thus ended Lily McSheffrey’s poem on life in Moville and the Paddle boat Steamers. But who was this McDonald? Other fiddlers had visited Moville over the decades, such as the blind fiddler, Paddy the Slithers, who visited Gortgowan as recorded by Honoria Galwey. Then there was Paddy from Grellagh who used to frequent Shroove as recorded in the Dúchas Schools Collection. Other musicians frequented the boats, such as McGarvey, an old blind Peter, and notably the blind fiddler Neil McColgan from Ballyliffin, mentioned by Charles McGlinchey in The Last of the Name

A search of the 1901 and the 1911 census returns reveal a Patrick McDonnell or McDonald, surnames which were used interchangeably, and his wife Mary Kerr, though her surname was sometimes spelled Carr or Carre. According to these and the birth records of his children, he was Patrick (Paddy) McDonald (McDonnell) born about 1880, and it looks like he set about a music career from the start.

His occupation on the records examined was noted as ‘musician’ but in one case he is described as a ‘militia man’ (1900). He was married in 1895 in St Eugene’s Cathedral, Derry to Mary Kerr (Carr) and the 1901 census finds him living in Ballymacool, Letterkenny. His birthplace is given as Co. Louth and his occupation is recorded as a ‘street musition’ (sic). His wife’s occupation is described as a ‘dealer in soft goods’. He later moved to Derry and in 1911 the couple had 6 children from 9 pregnancies: John, William, Patrick, Margaret, Mary Bridget, and Joseph.

In 1910 Pat McDonnell attended the fair in Buncrana and was observed by a young local boy called Pat Mulhearne, who was then aged 10 years old. Pat Mulhearne had uncles who played the fiddle, but after following and listening to McDonnell through the fair, he vowed that he would learn to play the fiddle in earnest. Pat Mulhearne became the best known fiddler in the Buncrana district in his time, and went on to teach both Dinny McLaughlin and P.V. O’ Donnell. The circumstance of McDonnell’s visit could have been the catalyst that inspired and helped maintain the music tradition in the Buncrana area to the present day, as Dinny McLaughlin went on to mentor musicians such as Ciaran Tourish, Dermot Byrne and Liz Doherty and so many more.

Séamus Grant (1934-2005) remembered McDonald frequenting North Inishowen. Séamus also named other fiddlers, McGinley and Gallagher, as visiting the district and a piper called Gillespie. He also spoke of McDonald’s travels on the Scotch boat, where he entertained the migrant workers. A favourite platform was a herring barrel on the quay in Derry and even after a half bottle of whiskey, McDonald could balance remarkably well and play his fiddle. (Damhnait Mac Suibhne interview with Séamus Grant.)

In 1915 an article appeared in the Derry Journal pleading McDonnell’s case against a prison sentence of two months hard labour. While playing music at the Fair in Strabane McDonnell advised a young man to think twice about enlisting in the British Army, there being a big drive on for enlistment at that time in WW1. Patrick, having served a spell in the army, spoke to the young man who then withdrew his application. A recruiting officer overheard and objected to this intervention, and Patrick was charged under ‘Defence of the Realm’, and having given evidence to the magistrate, he was made an example of and received the two months sentence. The journalist commented that McDonnell the fiddler was the latest to suffer for indiscreet remarks, describing him as ‘the man with the curly hair and that he was well known in Derry as an itinerant musician of remarkable skill. His fiddling was admittedly vastly superior to the usual street musicians. He was to be found on the river steamers playing between Derry and Moville, Sunday after Sunday, during the summer and he was to the Moville Boat what the band is to the Atlantic Liner.’ He also referred to Mr McDonald’s time in the army (fifteen years in total, with two and a half in the Irish Rifles) the journalist went on to comment that ‘One would think that a record like this should carry some weight…a man, especially if he has a little drink taken, will say some foolish things.’

Patrick and Mary McDonald had addresses variously at 6, St Columbs Wells, 4 Joseph Street, and 4 Fahan Street in Derry. These addresses were convenient to the cattle market and to the Quays. His wife Mary had a hawker licence in the City. In 1905 the couple lost their baby two weeks after birth, and in 1908 Willie McDonald, age 9, died at the Derry Infirmary after burns to his lower legs, trunk, and meningitis. The death cert records he was a ‘musician’s child’. The children are both buried at Derry City Cemetery. Patrick McDonald Junior was born in 1900 and married Maria Hutchinson in 1925. His occupation was described as ‘Army’ and his wife was a ‘factory girl’.

In 1924 Mr. Patrick McDonald, Derry, won the County Fiddlers section of Feis Cholmchille and again in 1938 the winner was a P. McDonald. It’s possible that there were different generations of the McDonalds who carried on the music. In 1977 Simon Doherty (fiddler/tinsmith) referred to the McDonalds in an interview, when he said ‘There were the McDonalds, they used to play music in the streets’.

What became of Patrick McDonald senior or his wife, I don’t know. The 1915 court case made reference to his previous travels to Fermoy to re-enlist in the army, and that he was refused due to ill health.

There is no doubt that he was a significant musician and an accomplished fiddler who gave great joy to travellers on the paddle steamers to Moville, on the Scotch boat, at the Quays, and at fairs and rabbles through the North West. He played joyful tunes, airs and also played the lament, Farewell to Erin, for the emigrants leaving Ireland’s shore.

Just as bonfires were lit along Inishowen for departing local emigres, Paddy McDonnell bid them welcome and adieu. Perhaps a sculpture of a fiddler balancing on a herring barrel, playing a lively tune, would be a fitting tribute to all these musicians who were such a part of those sad and joyous times.

Dance Hall Days with Tremone Dance Band

by Seán Beattie

While the late 1950s and early 1960s are recognised as the era of the great showbands, they have their origins in the local bands performing in rural towns and villages in the early 1950s. This was the post-war era with life returning to normal, and people were keen to get out and enjoy themselves (sound familiar?). The Tremone Dance Band was one of the precursors of the great showband era.

The Tremone Dance Band came into being in the early 1950s. The band played Country and Western music, traditional Irish music, and jigs. Sets of Lancers were very popular.

The first band, formed around 1953, had four members: Robert Carey, Dan McCann, James McSheffrey (drums) and Andreas Kelly (melodeon). Andreas drove the band around with instruments in the boot. He took ill with a spinal problem shortly after the band was set up and had to be helped on stage. He died in the 1950s. Kathleen Deeney often played piano with them. Few halls had a piano at this time. Charlie O’Kane also doubled up as vocalist.

Founder member Robert Carey, whom I spoke to recently, first got tuition from Eddie O’Kane in Lecamy on the fiddle. Robert injured a finger in an accident with a baler and dropped the fiddle in favour of the saxophone.

The band rehearsed in Packie McCann’s house in the Row, Ballyharry, three nights a week. Packie was a single man who enjoyed the music.

The Tremone Dance Band played all over Inishowen, as well as farther afield in venues such as the Castle, Dungiven, and Crossroads, Killygorden. LDF (Irish army reserve) dances were very popular on Saturday nights in Carndonagh and drew large crowds. Money was plentiful as the shirt factories were providing employment for hundreds in the town and district.

Robert recalls playing in a variety of venues around the peninsula. There was a dance hall in Alex Mullin’s house in Glenagivney near the old school, where Eddie Gillen played the music rather than the full band as the venue was too small. McSheffrey’s Barn in Cruckaveel was another popular dance hall. James McSheffrey was a founder member of the Tremone Band. In Shrove, they played in a small hall at the beach, which is still there in the carpark. Cullinean Hall at Quigley’s Point was also very popular before Borderland was built. The band also played in Clonmany.

Closer to home, they played in O’Kane’s hall in Lecamy. In Carey’s Hall, Carrowbeg – Robert’s home place – the Moville District Nurses’ Association organized fund-raising dances with the band as entertainment. Before her death, Lady Montgomery, mother of the Field-Marshal, was often in attendance as she was very active in philanthropic work in Moville.

The “Socials”

The Church of Ireland organized ‘socials’ – dances with an interval for tea, home bakes and scones. The largest of these was held in Culdaff Hall (the Wee Hall) but Robert Carey also remembers playing at Carrick Hall in Carn. Gleneely School was another venue for dances. In some venues, the organisers asked them not to play the Soldier’s Song at the end of the night and to play Auld Lang Syne instead. In July and August, the socials were thronged with visitors and local people on holidays, and the band insisted in playing the national anthem instead to keep the dancers happy. People of all religions attended the Socials and religion was not an issue.

Many will recall crowds of 2,000 on a Friday night in the popular dancehall Borderland, Muff, as they danced to the top bands such as the Capitol, the Melody Aces, the Royal and the Clipper Carlton. Carndonagh had its own bands and, while I never heard them play, I recall the Michael Galbraith Orchestra and the Paul Anthony Orchestra. The Atlantic Ballroom in Ballyliffin and the Plaza, Buncrana, were top rank venues. The eventual success of the showband era is certainly rooted in the local parish bands on the early 1950s.

Many thanks to Robert Carey for sharing his memories of those golden days (20th February, 2021)

Music around Culdaff, Inishowen.

A Living Tradition

By Roisin Mc Grory 2012,

Published in Donegal Fleadh Programme, County Fleadh, Culdaff 2012, Updated 2021

Culdaff is rich in historical landmarks and still holds a strong link to an ancient civilisation. Monasteries such as Both Chonais (Carrowmore) cultivated names such as Mael Iosa O’Brolchain, a monk who wrote many religious poems and hymns. One of these hymns, Deus Meus, written in Irish and Latin is still sung 926 years after his death.

There are many references to the music of Inishowen in the ancient history of Irish music. One of the most celebrated of contributors to the ancient music of Ireland was harper Denis Hempson from Magilligan, Co. Derry. At the Belfast Harp Festival in 1792, Denis Hempson was one of 12 harpers and the main source of a collection of music that was titled the ‘Ancient Music of Ireland’. Inishowen had it’s part to play in this history, as Hempson studied under the harper Carragher at Buncrana Castle and was married to a woman from Inishowen, however in the records of Hempson’s life his wife is never named.

The family of the famous seventeenth century Culdaff playwright Charles Macklin also has a part to play in Inishowen’s musicial history as Charles’ nephew the Rev. Charles Macklin was noted as one of the finest uilleann pipers of his day and officiated at the baptism of the Irish novelist Lady Morgan (Sydney Owenson). It was she who later commissioned an account of Hempson’s life to be written down.

Like every townland in Ireland, the names of musicians, singers, dancers and ceili houses are known by the local people, but often this information gets lost as it is often not recorded. We are fortunate that the music has survived and at various points in history it has been recorded and documented however it is in the oral tradition that the music survived and has naturally filtered down through the ages.

Characters such as Pat Mc Daid, Dunross, Culdaff otherwise known as ‘The Bard of Inishowen’, played the fiddle and won prizes at Derry Feis. Pat was a Justice of the peace, fluent Irish speaker and taught classes in Culdaff. He was renowned for his song compositions and was a singer in Bocan chapel for 50 years. He had a shop in Culdaff, married to Fanny Ann. He died in 1938.

When I moved to Culdaff in 1997 I was aware that there was a strong musical heritage. All types of music were enjoyed in the Village. Stories were told of the legendary musician and singer John Donovan from Malin Head who often played at socials in the Wee Hall. 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, the Tremone dance band, George Mc Laughlin and his band played in O’Kane’s Hall, Lecamey, Bob Carey’s loft and dance halls further afield in Culdaff and Moville. John Joe Mc Grory and Michael Byrne from Malin often played in Bocan Hall and it was from Michael’s nephew Tom that I learnt a tune titled the ‘Bocan Waltz’.

Other musicians around the Culdaff area were William Knox and George Mills (Carthage). George had a publication of ‘Allan’s Irish Fiddler’ priced 2/6 which is a collection of 120 dances tunes and airs. Among the tunes he played were the Stack of Barley, Showman’s Fancy, Maggie Pickens, and Garden of Daises. Members of the Logan family (Culdaff/Scotland) also toured with the legendary Jimmy Shand Band (Scotland).

Musicians who came to the area influenced the people and their music. ‘Pat the Fiddler’, (Patrick Doherty), a travelling fiddler and tin smith from Sligo is reported to have spent a great deal of time around the Culdaff/Malin area in the 1950s-60s.

In the 60s Mick McIlkenny while stationed as a guard in Culdaff taught music in the Wee Hall. Under Micks direction the Culdaff Recorder band was formed playing at local events such as the Easter Parade in Carndonagh. Without exception Culdaff like every other Village in Inishowen was fortunate to have had the musical and dancing influence of Dinny Mc Laughlin. A number of young dancers from Culdaff under Dinny’s direction won awards at Feisanna were, Eugene Cannon, John Cannon, Joseph Cannon, and Gerard Davenport.

In the Malin area there has always been an abundance of musicians, singers and dancers, among them the Malin Head Folk group, Seaside Serenaders, Malin Town Band and musicians such as Neil Toland, Tommy Laurence, Frances Fullerton, Patsy Kelly, Paddy and Cara Byrne, Joe Mc Laughlin (Closha), can all be listed for their influence in the Malin music scene.

Recently I was fortunate to have an opportunity to talk to Shunie Cramspey a well known musician in Ireland and abroad. Shunie grew up in a house steeped in music his father Eugene, brother Philip, Uncle Charlie and Grandfather Philip Crampsey all musicians who played a huge part in the local music scene. Shunie began playing while still in national school.

It was when Nellie Mc Clean got a supply of whistles in her shop she suggested that the school (Aughaclay) would start music classes. Clement Sweeney taught the tin whistle for a time with great success, forming a marching band and a céilí band which consisted of Damhnait Nic Suibhne, Shunie Crampsey, Páid Mac Suibhne, Leonard Houton and Joe Mc Callion. When the County Fleadh was held in Malin in the 1970s the young band was ready for competition. Later Clement asked Dinny Mc Laughlin to assist with the demand for music classes resulting in the tradition being firmly placed with new generations of traditional musicians emerging.

At an early stage Shunie became known for his great musicial ability on the accordion. His first solo gigs took place when Shunie as a teenager was collected by Bill O’Brien to play in Cornies Bar Culdaff. Shunie played the tunes popular at the time such as Harvest Home, Mulhaires Reel, The Teatotaller, Boys of Bluehill and many more. One tune mentioned by Shunie was a tune titled ‘Joe Charlie’s Polka’, named after the musician who played them. Grace Charlie Phil played the accordion, she was a dancer and lilter and the source of many tunes.

The Wee Hall and Bocan Hall were the main source of dance and entertainment in Culdaff area up to the 1960s. The Marquee (Culdaff Carnival) during the Summer and the Culdaff Arms run by Brendan Faulkner brought to Culdaff the top musical acts touring Ireland at the time.

Sessions were regularly held in Mc Guinness’, Culdaff Arms hosted many ceili nights and Mc Grory’s held sing songs nightly over the summer. Established in 1992 by Neil, John and Anne Mc Grory, the Backroom Bar at McGrorys of Culdaff, brought many top music acts to Culdaff up until their departure in 2015.

In Inishowen today many traditional musicians have had international success and have full time careers with their music. Among them are Ciaran Tourish, Dermot Byrne, Liz Doherty and local band The Henry Girls. The music is today vibrant and the musicians playing it have brought a new life to it. The future for traditional music looks bright and credit and thanks must be given to the hundreds of musicians through the years that have keep our tradition alive.

Tremone Dance Band

During the 1950s the O’Kane family band with members John, Tom, Patrick and Anne 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 further afield in Culdaff and Moville. John Joe Mc Grory and Michael Byrne from Malin often played in Bocan Hall.

A popular tune played at the time was the ‘Bocan Waltz’.

Other musicians around the Culdaff area were William Knox and George Mills (Carthage).

Young musicians emerging around the Culdaff area include Deirdre and Ella McGrory.

Tremone Dance Band

Gleneely Céilí Band

The Gleneely Céilí Band performed at local dances around the area, playing traditional tunes and popular songs of the day. Members included Jim and Archie Warnock, James Bradley, Frank Griffin, Mickey Curley and John Mc Gonagle. On occasion Deirdre McGrory (née Doherty) joined them on vocals.

THE GLENEELY DANCE BAND members 1940s-1950s
Back row, L-R, Archie Warnock, Moville (piano accordion), Mickey Curley, Gleneely (drums), John McGonigle, Ballintroohan (button accordion), Jim Warnock, Moville (button accordion).
Front Row- James Bradley (fiddle), Frank Griffin, Gleneely (fiddle). John Mc Gonigle & Frank Griffin were the founding members of the band

‘Pat the Fiddler’

‘Pat the Fiddler’ (Patrick Doherty), a travelling fiddler and tinsmith from Sligo, is reported to have spent a great deal of time around the Culdaff/Malin area in the 1950s-60s.

A new set of musicians has been emerging recently in the Malin area. These include The Henry Girls (Lorna, Karen and Joleen McLaughlin); Paula and Melanie Houton; and Eimear Mc Colgan, Ruardhrí McCarron, Breda Doherty and the O’Connor family to name a few.

Paddy Byrne

Paddy Byrne and his brothers Michael and Cara, all fiddlers, played a major role in the music of Inishowen. Alongside traditional music, they were able to perform the popular music of the day for dancing.

Paddy Byrne (1918-2003), Malin Head

I neer shall wean’ her

Archive Details

[box type=”bio”] Title Of Tune : I neer shall wean Catalogue Number : ITMP2012-1109 Transcribed By : ITMP Type: Jig Source of Tune : Recorded Date: 10/07/2012 [button type=”icon” icon=”download” newwindow=”yes” link=”Sound File “]Sound File[/button] [button type=”icon” icon=”paper” newwindow=”yes” link=”http://inishowenmusic.ie/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/I-ne’er-shall-wean.pdf”]Sheet Music[/button] [/box] [retweet]’

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