ENNIS FLEADH NUA - Comhaltas Archive

THE BIRDS ARE SILENT IN DRIMNEENThe birds are silent in the grovesaround Drirnneen. Black clouds overheadcut out the sun's rays. The pregnantsilence is broken only by theoccasional passing car and the air istinged with sadness. Johnny Cleary isdead.That was the news that stunnedthe thousands of music lovers throughoutMayo and indeed further afieldwhere his music was known and appreciated.News of his untimely and suddenpassing at the early age of seventy-twonumbed not only the local communitybut music lovers everywhere whoenjoyed his music and felt he wouldalways be around for Johnny wasageless and timeless.Born in 1915 at a time when thousandsof traditional musicians were beingcompelled to emigrate in search ofemployment and leaving the countrysidebereft of music. Johnny got his firstaccordeon at the age of ten. He got hisearly tuition from local accordeonplayers Pat Gill, Mike Mc Donagh,Bemi~ Charles and learned quite a lot oftunes from the latE Joe Coyne andbrother of Mattie Coyne who is thepresent Vice-Chairman of Mayo Co.Board CcE. At an early age he showedpromise of the outstanding musician hewas later to be .In 1940, Mattie Coyne formedwhat became known as the CastlegarCeili Band. This comprised JohnnyCleary, Pat Gill, Miko Corless, TomDevine and Mattie Coy ne himself whomanaged the band. At the time the feefor a night's engagement was thirty-fiveshillings out of which six shillings werepaid for transport to a taxi. It is conclusivethen that it was love of musicand not monetary reward that enticedthe musicians of the day. The CastlegarCeili Band operated until 1945 whenMattie Coyne, Miko Corless and TomDevine were forced to emigrate toEngland like so many more in the darkdays at the end of World War 11.But Johnny Cleary stuck to hisaccordeon. He used to hold sessions inhis own house over the next few years.Travelling musicians were always welcomein the Cleary home. JohnnyDoran the renowned piper used to campup the road from Clearys for daysbefore and after the famed Claremorrishorse fairs and at night wouldadjourn to Cleary's kitchen. From thefamed piper, Jobnny, always eager toadd to his repertoire of tunes, learned"The Duke of Leinster" and "the Bucksof Oranmore." At that time "balls" or"joins" were commonplace and Johnnywas usually the guest musician.It was in 1952 that Mattie Coynereturned from England. Bitten by themusic bug Mattie founded the WesternCeili Quintet with Johnny Oeary andPaddy Keane on accordeon, Phil McTighe on the flute , Jimmy Costello(R.I.P.) on drums and Mattie himselfon the fiddle. This outfit operated forfourteen years with widespread popularity.In the meantime Comhaltas hadcome to Mayo and all the band membersjoined the Kiltimagh Craobh andafter the Claremorris branch was foundedthey transferred their allegiance totheir local unit.With his old friends Mattie Coyneand Phil McTighe, he regularly representedClaremorris G.A.A. club in SeniorSOOr winning the Connaught Championshipfour years in succession. Hehad also many television appearances onprogrammes of traditional music andalso had the distinction of playing forJohnny Conneeley, that popular danceron the Late Late Show.But for all his talent he was a simpleman with an eye to the future . He wasthe kind of man who would lay aside hisaccordeon to listen to the young musicianand then to instruct, advise andencourage when the occasion arose. Hewould be happy then in the knowledgethat music he loved so well was safe forfuture generations and he'd take up hisaccordeon once more.It was one of these young musicianswho led the cortege throughthe streets of Claremorris as youngDarren McCallig played a lament on thetin whistle. Thousands thronged thestreets in silent tribute while in thechurch after the remains had beenreceived a musical tribute· was paid.Guards-of-Honour from ClaremorrisCCE and Claremorris G .A.A. lined thehearse route in sad farewell,After the funeral Mass next morningJohnny Cleary's remains were removedto Ballinasmalla cemetery arid laid torest in the shadow of the old abbey.Once again a hoarde of musical friendsplayed him to his last resting place. Tohis wife Mary and his sisters DeliaHoward and Anne Cunningham wetener our sincere sympathy.FOR SALEHalf-set Uilleann Pipeswith casePrice: £300S. OD.further details from 80029538