Local
Heroes |
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This
page is dedicated to some well known, & some not so well known,
local worthies, who deserve our recognition, for these colourful characters
made, & thankfully in some cases continue to make, our little corner
a richer & more interesting place to live. |
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If
you can add any interesting information to my limited knowledge of those
listed below, I would be delighted to recieve it. Also, if you can recommend
anyone else for inclusion in this local hall of fame, please feel free
to e-mail the information to me, including photographs, if possible,
& I will happily add their story. |
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Jim McGill |
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Jim
McGill was born in the townland
of Ballinlea, which lies half way between Ballycastle and Bushmills, in the Causeway Coast region of north Antrim. He
was a fine country Fiddler, and realising that no one was passing
on the skills of Traditional Music to the younger generation locally,
he decided to set about the task himself. For many years he taught kids
from all around Ballinlea, Ballintoy & Ballycastle, visiting
them in their own homes and passing on the music he loved so much, in
order that others would still be playing, when he was not around to
Fiddle for the local Ceili, concert or Pub Session. |
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Sadly,
Jim is no longer with us, but many of the kids Jim taught still play,
and all are the richer for having had the the privilage of his tutoring,
and the pleasure of his company. Because of all his great work with the
local youngsters, I had no hesitation in naming my Music School in his
honour. |
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Here's
another rare local character |
Michael
McIlhatten |
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Yes, this is the man Christy Moore sang about, a legend around the Glens of Antrim, for more than just Fiddling too. Still that's another story! |
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Frank
McCollam |
I
wrote this piece on Frank for the 'Irish
Music Magazine' @  |
That
wonderful Hornpipe, ‘The Home Ruler’ is played &
loved wherever there is Irish Music, which means everywhere. But, was
it written by a Kerry man, composed in Clare, dreamed up in Sligo, or
whittled out of bog oak in Donegal, any guesses? Well no, none of the
above are true, it was in fact composed by a fine Fiddler, Frank McCollam,
of Ballycastle, Co Antrim. |
Frank,
who also had a passion for gardening, Bees, restoring old clocks, and
‘going to the Moss’, was a member of the local Ballinlea Pipe
Band, but in later years, put the pipes aside to concentrate on the Fiddle.
He also played the Accordion, but it’s his Fiddle playing most folk
speak of around here, and musicians used to come from all over the place
to ‘hae a tune wi’ Frank’. Indeed, that well known connoisseur
of good tunes, Cathal McConnell was a regular visitor. It’s a fair
old cycle from Fermanagh, so Frank, & his music, must have been well
worth the jaunt. |
Frank
himself, was well known all over Ireland, but two men whom he visited
on a regular basis were Liam Donnelly, and Sean Ryan. Sean Ryan, a kindred
spirit, and brilliant Fiddler himself, and Liam, who could read and write
the music down, skills which Frank did not possess. Frank however had
all the music he needed in his head, and if he was ever short of a tune,
all he had to do was sit down and write a new one. |
When
I first learned the tune, The Home Ruler, I quite naturally assumed, like
many, that it was named with politics in mind. However, some years ago,
I was chatting to Len Graham, another good friend of Franks, who put me
straight. Frank in fact named the tune after his wife, Sally, and Frank’s
daughter Catherine, later confirmed this by telling me how all the men
then, used to refer to their wives as ‘The Home Ruler’. |
The
version I have for you here, I learned from another Ballycastle man, Franks
star pupil, Chris McCormick. Chris learned his Fiddle playing, and of
course this tune, from Frank, so this is the way Frank would have played
it. A little different perhaps, from the very fine version recorded by
Noel Hill & Tony Linnane some years ago, on their brilliant LP. I’m
sure there are many people who learned the tune from that recording, and
no doubt they will be interested to see how it differs from the original
concept. |
Frank
often played The Home Ruler in a set with ‘The Hangman’s Noose’,
another of his own hornpipes. Frank had John McNaughton in mind when he
named this tune, for John, a Bushmills man, was found guilty in 1761,
of murdering his lover, and sentenced to hang. However, when they carried
out the sentence the rope snapped, so they had to hang him again. Legend
has it that he was offered a pardon, but refused it, saying he could not
go through life being known as ‘Half hanged McNaughton’. Personally
speaking you can call me anything you like, just don’t stretch my
neck! |
Another
of Frank’s excellent compositions, the reel ‘Catherine Marie’,
now often called ‘Kate Marie’, can also be heard wherever good
tunes are played. This tune Frank named after his daughter, who now lives
in Dublin, so if you happen to meet up with Catherine in one of Dublin’s
fine hostelries, I recommend you buy her a drink, and toast the life of
a great composer, and fine musician from Ballycastle, Co. Antrim, - Frank
McCollam. |
by Dick
Glasgow |
Does
anyone out there have a photograph of Frank, which they would be willing
to share with us? |
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Dusty
Rhodes |
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James
Stoddard Moore, the local Poet 'Dusty Rhodes',
was born in Cushendall in 1844, the son of an Edinburgh man (well all
the best people are!) and a local lass. His parents died before he was
fifteen, and soon after, he became a sailor and travelled the seven seas,
worked as a Goldminer in California and was a soldier in India, Afghanistan
and Malta. When he returned to Ireland however, he worked as a farm labourer
around Cushendall & Ballintoy but as he grew older he became a tramp,
which was very common in those days. |
Most
of his poetry was written during the years he wandered the local roads,
and he would give the poems to local farmers in return for board and lodgings,
or for a few shillings. Some were published in the Northern Constitution,
the local publication which printed so much of Sam Henry's collected songs. |
He
lived with his second wife, for a number of years in Dunlop Street, Coleraine,
but settled, after many years on the road, in Mill Street, Ballycastle,
with his third wife, and died in 1939 at the ripe old age of 96. |
He
clearly had plenty to write poetry about, what with his foreign travels
and romantic lifestyle, not to mention his long healthy life, and of
course, his three wives. |
Thanks
to Sean Traynor, who wrote to tell me the following tale about
Dusty: "My Great Aunt was born in Prolusk in 1905. My Dad was born at Carnsampson in 1931, Ballycastle. When I was young he was always telling me off for playing my music too loud, saying that I would get the same treatment as what I thought was "Dusty Roads". One day when he was talking about his childhood I asked what the saying was about and he told me that Dusty wouldn't stop playing his fiddle in a neighbours house ( I think at a wake) and he got chased from the house with a broom. I don't know if anybody else has mentioned the tale? " |
If
you would like to read one of Dusty's Poems, then visit my Rhymes page @ . |
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Sam
Stevenson |
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Sam
was born, lived, worked, married, reared his family and died within sight
of Slemish Mountain, and he was intensely proud of his Braid Valley. A
County Antrim man through & through, he loved the violin with a passion,
& as a Fiddle player was a founder member of the 'Antrim & Derry
Fiddlers Association'. He was also a lifelong friend, & playing companion,
of such other local greats as Sean McGuire, Jim McKillop, Dennis Sweeney,
& perhaps his closest musical friend in his latter years, Meave McKeon. |
Sam's
love of the Violin went further than most, for he wasn't content just
to play beautiful music on the instrument, he also went on to make Fiddles
himself, & in fact his fiddles, Violas & Cellos are played all
over Ireland, England & on the continent. Sam was so well known that
enthusiasts from all over the world came to see him in his garden workshop,
& when Terry Wogan went looking for a fiddle maker to feature on his
series on Ireland, he came to Sam Stevenson. |
Sam
enjoyed entertaining with the Antrim & Derry Fiddlers, & although
he really enjoyed playing Irish Music, he also loved Scottish Music with
a passion. He had great respect for the skill & technique of players
like McGuire & McKillop, but there was a certain twinkle in his eye
when he talked of Shetland's own Willie Hunter, who was indeed a master
of the Slow Air. Sam also loved to quote Fritz Kriesler, the great violinist,
who once said 'Tone is in the man, a great instrument simply makes it
easier'. |
He
came to Ballycastle for me on one occasion, to demonstrate to my students
the art of Fiddle making, & his enthusiasm was infactious. Over the
last few years of his life, he repaired dozens of local Fiddles &
Bows for me. |
At
his service of thanksgiving, his son-in-law, John Dooris, was the organist
and Jim McKillop played some of Sam's favourite music on Fiddle. A fine
tribute to Sam was read out by his friend Michael Sayers, & even the
minister, the Rev. W. Dickie, had a Fiddle tale to tell about Sam, &
produced his own Family Fiddle, which Sam had skilfully reconstructed. |
He
was a great man who is sadly missed. |
by Dick
Glasgow |
This
is an extract from 'A Tribute to Sam Stevenson', an article I wrote
for my regular 'Moyle Tradition' piece, for the 'Moyle Newsletter'. |
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John
McGill |
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John McGill lived at 71 Ann Street, Ballycastle, above the famous 'Hell's Kitchen' venue, and right across the road from another great Ballycastle musician, Frank McCollam. He was a coachbuilder to trade, and served his time in the early 1900's with Mr. Harry Porter of John Street, Ballymoney, but his hobby was making Violins. While attending a cinema, he saw, in a news reel, (remember them! Pathe etc!) a Fiddle made of Perspex and decided to have a go himself. He took celluloid as his medium and built a Fiddle made almost entirely of it, for only the neck, strings and belly rib were of other materials. John also made Fiddles from Irish Lancewood, aircraft wreckage, tin and mahogany from old landaulets. He also built Banjos. In his youth, John was a well kent figure with his Fiddle, at local country dances. |
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Dan
O'Loan |
Dan O'Loan, a Glensman, was a famous Fiddler in his day. He was not only a fine musician, but he had other strings to his bow, like being a Carpenter and excellent Fiddle maker, who also made Boats and Furniture. At the height of his musical career he also made a radio programme, which is now, unfortunately, lost in the archives. There is also a popular story about Dan, when he famously played down a phone line for an RTE programme in the 1920s.
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Dan
had nine of a family and most of his sons were musical, playing Fiddles
and Banjos, however, as so often happens, the musical genes skipped the
next generation, and as Angela Bonnar, Dan's granddaughter so eloquently
put it, " ..the most musical thing in our house was a Singer sewing
machine! Thankfully, the music emerged again with a vengeance, in the
present generation, through the wonderful musical talents of Jayne &
Riona Bonnar, great granddaughters of Dan. The girls were encouraged by
their parents, especially Dad Danny, who, as a youth, was a member of
a local Folk Group 'Fadge', who played the Pub Scene around Ballycastle
& the Glens. |
Younger
daughter Jayne's musical career began at the age of seven when she asked,
out of the blue, for a Fiddle. It didn't take Riona long to follow suit,
and thankfully Jim McGill was on hand to guide the girls carefully onto
the first rungs of their musical ladder. After Jim passed on, the girls
had a number of Tutors including Dennis Sweeney, myself, local classical
tutors Kate Keenan and Mrs Darling, and finally the one and only Sean
McGuire recognised their talents, and took the girls under his wing. |
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It's
a pity Dan hadn't been around to witness the girls musical development, especially
as they both now proudly play Fiddles made by Dan himself. |
This
is another extract from an article I wrote for my regular 'Moyle Tradition'
piece, for the 'Moyle Newsletter'. |
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Do
you recognise this man? |
Do
you know anything about him? |
eg.
Why has he got a dinner plate on his head?! |
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I
got this photo from local historian & collector of artefacts &
curios, Danny Morgan. Danny is, like myself, very keen to learn
anything he can about this man. So far Danny knows his nickname was 'The Carver' - anyone know why? He
also knows that he was a Glenshesk man, & that this particular photo
was taken in the 1930's. |
Or
perhaps you know something about this Piper? |
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This
character is pictured at the first Feis na Gleann in 1904,
and is believed to be the winner of the set of O'Mealy Uilleann
Pipes, which was one of the amazing prizes that year. |
Thanks
to the Coleraine Chronicle for the use of this photograph. |
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Other
Local Fiddle Players |
Thanks to Ballycastle Historian, Danny Morgan, for the following information: Jamie Benson Wee Jamie, as he was known, lived in a small house at Islandmacallion, near Mosside, and often visited Ballycastle. Jamie was a full time fiddler, playing at fairs and in people's houses. He was married, and his wife bred Pomeranians as a source of income. Jamie also gave Fiddle lessonsin his home, but this wasn't easy, with the barking of the dogs! The couple had no children. Jamie is recalled as a well dressed man, who was hard to understand, given his accent (Dickie Duffin & Cassie McLernon) A photo of Jamie appears in "Irish Traditional Music" p 55. He is shown playing in Ann Street, Ballycastle, 1904. Johnny Crawford (Senior) Johnny lived at the Brig-End, on the Bushmills line, and was a well known fiddler, who also made a number of fiddles. Johnny gave fiddle lessons, and the late Frank McCollam received his first lessons from Johnny ( Mary McCurdy, born Moyarget) Frank Simpson
Frank's son, Daniel (Doffer) Simpson playing a few tunes on his Dad's Fiddle. Frank was a Mosside postman, a former soldier, and a keen angler. Frank regularly played the fiddle in Taggart's Bar, Mosside (Ted McMullan). He retired from service in 1953 after cycling some 187,200 miles! Frank used to keep his Fiddle below the bed & it still has the enlarged F Holes, made when a mouse decided to make use of it, as a home! He was a great friend of the Master Chestnut. Jack McDuff Jack was a native of Ballymoney and worked as a fireman on the Narrow Guage, but retired in June 1950, when the line closed. He lived on Rathlin Road and was a good fiddler, who is believed to have composed some tunes. He was also a gifted craftsman who could make a dresser and repair boots (Dickie Duffin & Willie Kirkpatrick). Barry Limerick Barry was a driver on the Narrow Guage line and lived in Ballycastle fopr about five years. When the line closed in June 1950, Barry transferred to the main line. He was a noted fiddler and gave lessons on the instrumnent. Three of his pupils were Dominic McNabb, Mary & Annie Clarke. The Clarkes had a bar in Anne Street, O'Connors (D. McNabb & Seamus Clarke). Dan Blue Dan lived at Gortconny, before he emigrated to America, possibly Chicago. Before leaving, he sold his fiddle to Dan Wilkinson (Sammy Wilkinson, nephew). Dan Wilkinson Dan was a Ballintoy fiddler, who is said to have played the instrument behind his back on occasion (Pat McMullan). Pat Gillan Pat had a small holding at Lem-nagh. It was a good ceilidh house. His nephew, Pat McMullan has his fiddle (P McM.). Johnny McAleese Johnny was a traditional singer and fiddler, who used to accompany a Melodeon player at the cross road dances at Croagh in the 1920's (Jack Brown). Johnny was a thatcher who worked for some time in the gas works at Port Glasgow, before returning home. The late Frank Kane, Islandranny, got many of his songs from Johnny (Willie Henderson). Daniel McGowan Daniel, a fiddler from Broughgammon, was known as The Poet. His son Daniel, also called The Poet, was also a fiddler and played at dances in Cloughcorr School (Cassie McMernon). Alex Morgan Alex (1877 - 1964) was born in Maghera. He was a fisherman and married May McKillen in 1910. He was a fiddler, was the grandfather of Danny Morgan, and died, Leyland Road, Ballycastle. Willie Morgan Willie was born in 1900, in Port Glasgow, and his parents returned to Magheracastle, about three years later. Willie was a fiddler who played at dances in Cloughcorr School. He emigrated to Los Angeles (Cassie McLernon). Willie McGill Willie, of Prolusk, died at the age of 32 (C 1912) after a botched appendix opperation, in an American hospital. He was a well known fiddler, who had been home on holidays just 6 months previously(Mary McCurdy). John McGill John, who was also born at Prolusk, was a coach-builder who also made fiddles and banjos as a hobby. One fiddle was made of celluloid, which had been salvaged from the wreckage of a Canadian plane, which crashed in Glenshesk in Dec. 1943. Willie Weir Willie stayed at Tenaghs, Glenshesk, where he died unmarried. Willie was a fiddler and a singer, who could imitate bird song. He was also a good actor who acted in a number of local productions (Mary Lyden). Randal McDonnell Randal was a brother of Jamie McDonnell the contractor. He used to perform at dances held in Greenans School, Glenshesk. He played the pipes, melodeon, fiddle and mouth organ (Joe Lyden). Cassie McHenry Cassie, and her brother Mick McHenry who played the accordion, lived at Torr. They used to play at the dances on the night of the Torr Regatta, which ceased in the early 1930's. Lawrence McHenry is a nephew(Jamie Davidson) Johnny McAfee Johnny was an Armoy fiddler, who used to play in Fisher's Pub in Castle Street, now B. Curry's. Johnny used to play "The Cargan Lammas Fair". One night, a drunk who was critical of his playing, took the fiddle from him and smashed it (Dickie Duffin). Andy McGoogan Andy lived at the old Coastguard Station in Ballintoy. He worked a small quarry and burned Lime at Ballintoy for a period. He was a fiddler who also made fiddles, and was a native of the Ballyclagh area (Pat McMullan). Dan Morgan Dan (1892 - 1947), who was born at Magheraboy, later farmed at Knockagarvan. He was a fiddler who died single at the Fall Farm and was buried in Ballycastle (Tessie McMichael). Bob Morgan Bob was a brother of the 'Rascal Magee', and lived at Goukstown, Drumnagessan. He used to play the fiddle at fairs in Ballycastle, and may also have played the accordion (James McKay, Clegnagh). Jaimmy Jennings Jaimmy Jennings of Ballycastle, was the great uncle of Eileen Brady & he lived in that little old row of cottages opposite Felix Lynn's Garage, at the top of the town. Jaimmy played the Accordion & the Uilleann Pipes. Jean Scally Jean, a fine singer, used to run wee concerts in 'McHendry's Cellar' on Ann Street, back in the 1920's, where there was singing & dancing & everyone was charged one half Penny to get in. Sam McFarlane Sam was a Ballinlea shoemaker who lived at Straid for a time, but moved back to Ballinlea after he got married. He was a fiddler and also gave lessons ( Dan McHenry, Kilmahamogue). Willie Kerr Willie Kerr, a farmer who also built Carts, lived in Armoy Glen. However he was forced to turn his woodworking skills to musical ends after he had an accident with his own Fiddle, when coming home late one night from a house ceilidh. He tripped crossing a fence & unfortunately broke the neck of his Fiddle, so of course he took all the measurements from this old Fiddle & set out to make a new one. Now he had no special Fiddle-making tools or woods, so the 'belly' was made from a piece of wide-grained 'plank wood' which he carved using a bit of an old saw! The back was of Sycamore & they boiled up the Ash sides before setting them. The sound post was unusual too - made of hollow copper piping. They had no varnish either so they used Mahogany stain & the whole thing took nine months to make - a labour of love I'd say. Andy Kerr Andy, a nephew of Willie's, is thankfully still with us. He was born at Turreagh, also in Armoy Glen, & says he could play the Harmonica before he could talk, but he was 15 years old before he took up the Fiddle. He went to the old 'Breen School' from 1928 to 1935 & had to walk the six miles there & back, daily! One fine evening, about ten years ago, I visited Andy in Capecastle & had the pleasure of listening to him play a number of his favourite tunes, including the Harvest Home hornpipe on that old Fiddle he helped his uncle make, over 70 years ago, in 1934. He also produced a Harmonica & took great pleasure in racing through that old favourite, the Mason's Apron. Andy told me that all the Kerrs were musical & many played the Fiddle, including Alec, James & his sister Mrs Crawford. Andy told me they all, including himself, learned their music 'by ear' & Andy in fact still tunes in to Radio Scotland & Robbie Shepherd's weekly programme, which made me wonder if that great Scottish Fiddler, Ron Kerr was any relation? Robert Reilly That day I met Andy, his friend Robert Reilly was there, with his son Alistair & they joined in the fun with Robert on Accordion & Alistair on Tin Whistle. Robert was a member of the old 'Bush Valley Dance Band' which had John Simpson on Accordion & Tommy O'Neil on Drums. They played for 12 years between 1945 & 1957, playing for dances in Orange Halls, Town Halls & for country Wedding parties in old barns, which usually went on until 4am ........... ah, the good old days! Both Robert & Andy above, had great admiration for local Armoy man Sean McLaughlin, who they told me was not only an All Ireland Champion Fiddler, but also a very talented artist & Guitar player. However, they regarded Ballinlea as being the great centre of the local Fiddling tradition with the McNabbs, McGills & Donaghys being the most notable musical families in the area. James McKendry James McKendry who was born, lived & died in Moyarget, was a fine musician who played Flute & Fiddle. John ? John was a keen fiddler who played at many country dances in his younger days. He died at Ann Street, Ballycastle, in April 1962, aged 81 (Danny McGill, Ballinlea). Other Fiddlers of the area Henry Glass - Ballintoy Mathew Johnston - Ballintoy Simon Donnelly - Ballintoy Daniel Orr - Ballintoy Felix Lynn - Ballinlea Charlie McLaughlin - Ballycastle (late C 19th) Peter Dallat - Ballycastle Ned Dornan - Greenans If you can add any interesting information to my limited knowledge of those listed above, Danny & myself would be delighted to recieve it.
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A
local hero who is still very much with us, is: |
Dominic
McNabb |
Dominic
McNabb is an Irish man with Scottish roots and
his traditional fiddling has a unique lilting style which is typical
of North Antrim. For more details on his CD, visit the 'Tapes & CD Page' |
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TV
advert filmed by Ballintoy
Harbour |
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A few years ago, a film crew arrived in Ballintoy to film an advert, promoting Ireland as a holiday destination. The Harbour cafe recieved a face lift, and suddenly found ifself with stained glass windows and a thatched roof. You can see myself & Dominic McNabb fiddling away to the right of this photograph. |
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Absent
Friends Concert |
Before leaving this theme, you might like to visit my 'Absent Friends Concert' page @ It has some photographs of the concert, which was held in memory of the late: Mary Mulholland, Alec Higgins, Sam Stevenson & John Christie. |
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Here is a link to a wonderful website on a South Antrim Fiddle Maker |
Michael Costello has put together a fascinating website on ‘The legendary County Antrim fiddle maker Hugh Gordon’. “His love of music led him to show a great interest in the strong tradition of Ulster Scots fiddle music in the South Antrim area which was frequently performed in the open air, particularly at fairs, markets and other social gatherings in neighbouring towns and villages such as Antrim, Crumlin, Glenavy, Lisburn, Ballyclare, Moira, Lurgan and of course, Belfast.”
Michael Costello playing on a 'Gordon' violin. |
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