Dé Luain 30 Meán Fómhair 2019
Séamus O’Mahony: A Hidden Gem in ITMA / “Caill‑taice’ sa Taisce Cheol Dúchais Éireann
Even though Séamus O’Mahony lived to reach the grand old age of 91, his name is seldom mentioned in discussions on fiddle playing in Ireland. There are several reasons for this: O’Mahony did not make solo commercial recordings and he grew increasingly reluctant to perform in public or commit to broadcasts in the mid-twentieth century. However, the quality of his fiddle playing evident on the following tracks may prompt the question “How could a musician this good be forgotten?”
Luke Kelly, fiddle (though he was not a great player), Mrs. Sheridan – she was quite distinctive, and Séamus Mahoney. Also, if I may say so, my brother Edward who improvised well. The others had what they called very nice touches, but they used the same notes all the time without intensity or emotion… Séamus Mahoney was serious minded in his playing, I consider this a great thing.
The boys of Bluehill, hornpipe ; Sweep's, hornpipe / Séamus O'Mahony, fiddle, and Brendan O'Mahony, piano
The Salamanca, reel ; Hand me down the tackle, reel / Séamus O'Mahony. fiddle
An raibh tú ag an gcarraig, air / Séamus O'Mahony, fiddle