Nell Galvin

Last updated

Nell Galvin
Birth nameEllen McCarthy
Born1887
Origin County Clare, Ireland
Died1961
Genres Traditional Irish
Instruments fiddle and concertina
Years active1901-1961

Ellen (Nell) Galvin (1887 - 5 September 1961) was a fiddle and concertina player from County Clare, Ireland. She was originally from Ballydineen, Knockalough, near Kilmihil.

Contents

Nell Galvin learned to play when she was young. She was taught by Garret Barry, a blind uilleann pipes player from Inagh. Because Galvin could not decide what was her favourite instrument, he taught her to play on both the fiddle and the concertina. [1] [2]

In 1901, she entered the Thomond Feis in Ennis and won the fiddle competition. In 1905 Galvin took part again, this time playing the concertina and the fiddle. She won both competitions. She later won a competition in Kilkee, where she was judged by Seamus Clandillon, who would become director of Radio Éireann. [3]

In 1937, Nell Galvin was granted an audition for Radio Éireann in Dublin. This made it possible to broadcast traditional music over 2RN a number of times. [4]

Galvin used the effect of droning strings, dissonance and intricate ornamentation in her playing style. [5]

In the mid-1950s, some recordings were made of her music. These recordings are now part of the RTÉ-collection at the ITMA in Dublin. The importance of Nell Galvin's music is mainly found in history and continuity. She forms a link between the pre-Famine musicians and mentors on one side and the modern day musicians on the other side of the timescale. [6]

Galvin played with many Clare traditional musicians, including Mrs. Crotty (concertina), John Kelly (fiddle), Sean Reid, Dr. Bill Loughnane and Willie Clancy (uilleann pipes). [7]

Later she played with her son Stephen as guests with the Kilfenora Céilí Band. They played an unnamed reel, that promptly was baptized "Mrs Galvin's" by the Band. [8] [9]

Nell Galvin is the namesake of the Nell Galvin Traditional Music Weekend in Moyasta. [10] [11] This festival later amagalmated to form the "Crotty Galvin Traditional Weekend". [12]

Personal life

Nell Galvin, born as Ellen McCarthy, married Moyasta-man Patrick Galvin. They had two girls and three boys. [13]

See also

Related Research Articles

Fleadh Cheoil

The Fleadh Cheoil is an Irish music festival run by Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann (CCÉ), a non-profit organisation.

Leo Rowsome

Leo Rowsome was the third generation of an unbroken line of uilleann pipers. He was a performer, manufacturer and teacher of the uilleann pipes throughout his life.

<i>Prosperous</i> (album) Album by Christy Moore

Prosperous is the second album by Irish folk musician Christy Moore, released in 1972. His first album, Paddy on the Road, was recorded by Dominic Behan in 1969 and has long been out of print. In addition to Moore's guitar and voice, Prosperous featured musicians Andy Irvine, Liam Óg O'Flynn and Dónal Lunny. These four musicians later gave themselves the name Planxty, making this album something of the first Planxty album in all but name. Other musicians included Kevin Conneff on bodhrán, Clive Collins on fiddle, and Dave Bland on concertina.

Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann Irish musical organisation

Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann is the primary Irish organisation dedicated to the promotion of the music, song, dance and the language of Ireland. The organisation was founded in 1951 and has promoted Irish music and culture among the Irish people and the Irish diaspora.

Green Fields of America

The Green Fields of America is an ensemble which performs and promotes Irish traditional music in the United States.

Micho Russell was an Irish musician and author best known for his expert tin whistle performance. He also played the simple-system flute and was a collector of traditional music and folklore.

Willie Clancy (musician) Irish musician

Willie Clancy was an Irish uilleann piper, flute player and whistle player.

Breandán Breathnach was an Irish music collector and uilleann piper. In addition to collecting Irish music, he is known for his Ceol Rince na hÉireann series.

Johnny Doran was an Irish uilleann piper.

Patrick Kelly (1905–1976) was an Irish fiddle-player and -teacher.

Irish traditional music Genre of folk music that developed in Ireland

Irish traditional music is a genre of folk music that developed in Ireland.

Junior Crehan was an Irish fiddle player who composed a number of tunes that remain popular within the Irish Traditional Music community.

The Kilfenora Céilí Band is one of the oldest Céilí bands in Ireland. It was founded in 1909 in Kilfenora, a village in County Clare.

Elizabeth Crotty, better known as Mrs. Crotty, was an Irish concertina player.

Moyasta Hamlet in Munster, Ireland

Moyasta is a hamlet in County Clare, Ireland, situated between Kilkee and Kilrush on the N67. The hamlet is bordered by the Moyasta River, flowing from the bogs to Poulnasherry Bay.

Gearóid Ó hAllmhuráin

Gearóid Ó hAllmhuráin is an Irish ethnomusicologist, author, musician and historian specialising in Irish music, diaspora, cultural and memory studies.

Janet Harbison is an Irish harper, composer, teacher and orchestra director.

Róisín White Musical artist

Róisín White is a Northern Irish singer and concertina-player.

Martin Talty (Glendine, Milltown Malbay, 10 November 1920 - 16 March 1983 was an Irish uilleann pipes and flute player.

References

  1. "Ellen Galvin". Clare Champion. 1 September 2007. p. 15
  2. The Fiddler's Companion
  3. Nell Galvin Traditional Music Weekend
  4. "Nell Galvin". Clare Champion. 26 August 2005. p. 21
  5. Vallely, Fintan (1999). The Companion to Irish Traditional Music . Cork: Cork University Press. p.  146. ISBN   9781859181485.
  6. Vallely, Fintan (1999). The Companion to Irish Traditional Music . Cork: Cork University Press. p.  146. ISBN   9781859181485.
  7. Nell Galvin Traditional Music Weekend
  8. Nell Galvin Traditional Music Weekend
  9. Tune ID#4264 (Mrs. Galvin's)
  10. Flyer, issued 2008
  11. Chiff and Fipple Forums
  12. "Crotty Galvin Traditional Music Weekend" . Retrieved 2 April 2021.
  13. "Ellen Galvin". Clare Champion. 1 September 2007. p. 15