Honouring Sean Maguire and Kilcogy Musicians
19-21 April 2013
On Sunday 21st April 2013 An Seanadóir Labhrás Ó Murchú, Árd Stiurthóir Chomhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann will unveil a monument to the Legendary Traditional Irish Fiddle player Sean Maguire and more than twenty local musicians, at Kilcogy, in the parish of Mullahoran, Co Cavan, near the old Maguire homestead. This is the first occasion where Sean Maguire is being honoured in this way with a permanent monument.
This unveiling was scheduled to take place last year in conjunction with Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann in Cavan, but was cancelled on the day due to the tragic death of Rita Nannery, Kilcogy, while organising for the unveiling ceremony.
Sean Maguire’s father, Johnny (Jack) Maguire, a renowned flute, whistle and piccolo player, was born at Callanagh, Kilcogy, an area rich in traditional music. He went toBelfastin search of work in 1918, where Sean was born on St Stephen’s Day 1927.
Sean Maguire was renowned for his exciting virtuoso playing and technical mastery on the fiddle. He made numerous LP recordings and was perhaps the most decorated musician in Irish music. He inherited much of his father’s music and he regularly visited his uncle Mickie’s house on theAnnagh Road, Kilcogy where he mixed and played with local musicians. He was always proud of his Mullahoran roots and he lived in Co Cavan for a number of years. He died inBelfastin 2005.
Kilcogy was an area rich in traditional music in the past and the Monument also commemorates and honours 20 local musicians from the area, including Johnny Maguire.
The monument was organised by Antóin Mac Gabhann and Philip Clarke of Kilnaleck branch of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann, in co-operation with Kilcogy Development Association. The main Stone was sculpted by Micheál McTigue, Kilnamona, Co Clare and a wall built in Ross (Mountnugent) stone honours the local musicians who came from the immediate Kilcogy area. The construction was handled by local contractor Sean Fegan. Funding was provided by Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann (Comhairle Uladh, Bórd An Chabháin and Meitheal).
We hope that as many friends of Sean Maguire and the Kilcogy Musicians as possible will come and join us for the event. A full Programme of Events is being organised for the weekend and full details are attached below.
Le Gach Dea Ghuí
Antóin Mac Gabhann
Organiser
Philip Clarke,
Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann Kilnaleck, & Cathaoirleach Bórd Cho an Chabháin
Tuilleadh Eolas / Further Information from –
- Antóin Mac Gabhann, Tel 086 8307580 or angabha2@eircom.net
- Philip Clarke, Cathaoirleach, Bórd an Cabháin CCE, 0872977183 or plmclarke@gmail.com
- Paul O’Reilly, Kilcogy Community Development, 0876246201 or kilcogypo@gmail.com
Directions: Kilcogy is just off the Cavan-Granard Road on the Mullingar Road, 5 miles from Granard and 14 miles from Cavan.
Events Programme below . . . .
Honouring Sean Maguire and Kilcogy Musicians
Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann, Kilnaleck
in Co-Operation with Kilcogy Community Development
Programme of Events
Friday 19th April
8:00 pm – Event Marquee – Kilcogy Community Development Presents ‘The Rose of Kilcogy’
Saturday 20th April
10.00 am – Cavan Instrument workshops conducted as part of NYAH Festival Cavan, by Cavan Town Comhaltas.
4.00 pm – Micsins, Upstairs Lounge, Kilcogy
The Life and Music of Sean Maguire and the Kilcogy Musicians – Reminiscence with Antóin MacGabhann, Josephine Keegan and friends of Sean Maguire
8.30 pm – Event Marquee, Kilcogy
Fiddle Concert in featuring Josephine Keegan, Antóin MacGabhann, John Daly, Niall Murphy, Johnny Murphy, Marco Fabbri, Cavan’s Fidléirí Seán Maguire, & Kathleen Gavin, piano, and also featuring Joe Burke and Ann Conroy. Recording for RTE Céili House
Sunday 21st April
11:30 am — Kilcogy Community Development Vintage Tractor Run
2:00 pm – Kilcogy Village – Street Fair and Street Sessions
3.00 pm Parade of Musicians from Kilcogy Villaget o Monument.
Unveiling of Monument by An Seanadóir Labhrás Ó Murchú, Árd-Stiurthóir Chomhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann.
Street Sessions continue
5.30 pm – Micsins, Upstairs Lounge
The Life and Songs of Delia Murphy – Lecture by her Biographer and RTE Broadcaster Aiden O’Hara, and Joyce O’Hara. Presented by NYAH,CavanTown Comhaltas
