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Slieve Gullion Area Alive With Sound Of Irish Music


“WITH great pride I watch the young people carry on a proud tradition, by learning our music, songs and heritage,” stated Michael Quinn, the Slieve Gullion region’s singer-songwriter and storyteller.

“The Ring of Gullion CCE has given so much to the community over the years, with scholarships, entertainment and promoting tourism. And it has gained us a wide circle of friends, in every walk of life and many parts of the country,” added this former Housing Executive official.

Indeed, the festive scenes at Ti Culainn heritage centre, during the Slieve Gullion Traditional Singers Festival, involved 150 participants a few weeks ago, as well as the Welcome Inn, Clover Hill Golf Club and O’Hanlon’s, where talented musicians entertained full houses, would testify that Gaelic culture is thriving.

Leading community activist, Una Walsh commented: “Irish music and all things cultural are now in renaissance. It wasn’t like that in the 60’s, when it was seen as very deedle-dee-da. Now youngsters are keen to get involved.

“Cultural endeavour is the key to a large part of community regeneration. But people who are involved in culture now, should give the GAA credit for what it has done in keeping the culture and music alive down the generations.”

No better example of the close affinity between the GAA and Irish culture exists than Mick Quinn, chairman of Cuchulainn GFC, when the McKillop Cup first came to Mullabawn in 1964. He was also a foundation member, chairman and now President of the Ring of Gullion CCE.

Fear a Ti at the launch of the 21st anniversary of the Traditional Singers Festival, he won the All-Ireland Comhaltas Award for a newly-composed ballad; was runner-up for the prestigious `Bard of Armagh’ title; and was presented with the Comhaltas Teastas Certificate. An accomplished sean-nos, Mick has also accompanied noted local storyteller, John Campbell, on tours of Ireland.

He stated: “John has the unique ability to tell a good story. and could hold people spell-bound. He is one of Ireland’s best, but is also in demand from Brussels to Canada and the USA. Having travelled with him through most of Ireland, I have watched the joy and heard the laughter that he has given to so many.”

Mick’s father, the late Cllr John (Ned) Quinn, an Old IRA veteran, was a legendary singer and collector of a wealth of ballads and folk-songs. He was described as “an honest character, with a great spirit and a kindly heart.”

Father and son had the distinction of producing separate long-playing records. Downtown Radio presenter, Bobby Hanvey recognised their talent and encouraged them to make the recordings. John’s LP was entitled “You knew I was a stranger,” while Mick’s was “Time to Make Hay.”

Mr Quinn (senior) was one of a family of ten. Born at Carricknagavna, he left school at the age of 11, in order to work on his father’s farm. His interest in music dated from the day that he bought a small accordion. John passed on his love of Gaelic culture and sport to his eldest son, who left school at 15, and became a Housing Executive official.

Mick said: “My father was the first person to introduce me to singing. I always marvelled how he could remember every line in every song. They were my inheritance, just as they were once his.”

In the early 40’s, all the young men from the Slieve Gullion region, who had gone to England in search of work, returned home in order to avoid conscription. Ceili, flax-pulling and barn dances would be thriving, since there no other form of entertainment. The halls at Forkhill, Jonesboro, Mullabawn, Carrickasticken, Adavoyle and Faughiletra would be bursting at the seams.

People came from miles around, on foot or bicycle. Dances would start about 8 pm, and the craic would go on to the wee small hours. Often, when one dance finished, many of the young folk would head off to other venues, such as Jonesboro, where the floor was said to be the best in Ireland.

There was a great upsurge of interest in Irish culture. Musicians would play the fiddle or melodeon. Owen Crilly from Mullabawn, a brilliant accordionist, drew large crowds, as did Michael McArdle, and the legendary McCusker Brothers Ceili Band. The usual dances were “The Siege of Ennis,” “Waves of Tory,” four-hand reels, old-tyme waltzes, fox-trots and slow waltzes.

During the interval, patrons would be invited to perform their party-pieces, - songs, tunes, recitations, or maybe tap-dancing. Mick Quinn developed his repertoire from such occasions.

St Patrick’s and St Stephen’s nights were the gala occasions in the year, the mecca usually being Jonesboro Hall. Tickets were at a premium, ball-gowns and dress suits compulsory; and there would be a special “knife and fork” supper in the local primary school.

This hall was the centre for many activities, including concerts and bazaars; a youth club; evening classes in arts and crafts, Irish dancing, lectures and meetings. It was the product of a parochial committee, chaired by Fr McDonnell, and including Peter Halpenny, Joseph and Patrick Aiken, Tom McEvoy, Owen Jordan, Thomas Rice and Owen Moore.

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© Fabian Boyle 2001-2008