ENNIS FLEADH NUA - Comhaltas Archive

A SON OF MILLTOWNHONOURED IN HARTFORDJohn KeenanMost of the 30 branches of Comhaltasin North America are dedicated tothe memories of past illustriousmUSICIans. One of the most activebranches is the J im Seery Branch inHartford, Connecticut.Jim Seery was born in Milltown,Rathconrath, Mullingar, Co. Westmeathin 1895. His family for five generationsback were all stonemasons. His son, thewell known uilleann piper, carries onthe trade still. There are many buildingsin Westmeath and surrounding areasbuilt by the Seery Clan.Jim attended Milltown NationalSchool. His teacher, a great Irishman,Sean O'Casey from Rathmore, SliabhLuachra, Co. Kerry , saw the potential inJim at an early age and persuaded hisfather, a well known traditional dancer,at the time , to buy Jim a fiddle. Thefiddle was purchased in 1908 fromDoyle's Pawn Office in Mount Street,Mullingar for 3 shillings and six pence(old money). Jim was thirteen years oldand the fiddle was full size. PatMcHugh, son of a great traditionalfiddler, was Jim's first teacher of music.He won his first major competition in1917 at the Midlands Feis in Mullingar;open to all Ireland. The prize - a goldmedal - is still in the possession of hisdaughter, Eileen, married to PaddyO'Brien, the well k-nown accordeonplayer from Tipperary.Jim Seery came to live in Dublin in1925. In the autumn of that year hemarried Ann Moran, from Balroe, Westmeath.Ann was one of a well-knowntraditional music family also. Herfather played fiddle and tin whistle.They lived at 30 Stonybatter in Dublin,which was always an open house formusicians to gather. He got involved inthe Pipers' Club, in the early thirties.The Pipers' Club came to Thomas Streetin Dublin in 1946 and Jim becametreasurer. (The Pipers' Club, whichtoday meets at Culturlann na hEireannis one of the foremost branches of Comhaltas ). In 1951 this commit tee,together with a local committee in Mul-lingar at Feis Ur na hEireann, decided anational organisation should be formed .Jim was appointed treasurer of thisorganisation "Cumann Ceolt6iri Eire- -ann, This name was later changed toComhaltas Ceolt6iri Eireann.It might be worth mentioning herethat Jim borrowed £10 from ThomasStreet Pipers' Club to start a ComhaltasFund. It was mainly through hisprudent administration that Comhaltasand the Pipers' Club managed to survivein very difficult times.There are many interesting stories,some funny as well, but the referencethat suited him most was that he wasthe power house of Comhaltas. His interestin and planning for Comhaltaswere always uppermost on his mind andhe could fight a hard battle for them.He worked for most of his life inGuinness's Brewery, Dublin. He was aforeman bricklayer. I also worked thereand had the enjoyment of his companyfor many years. We met at tea breakevery morning for 10-20 mins. Thiscould be extended sometimes if theargument was strong enough. Hisplanning always , was for five yearshence. If there is a place in heaven formusicians and good Christians, Jim is incharge of that place.Comhaltas has discovered many finecharacters but none greater or morelovable than J im Seery.FOR SALEDD# PAOWACCORDEONCONDITION £300.Fon: 091-46145.SOPRANIGOOD28