Anthony Kelly

Anthony Kelly of Glencoagh was a fiddler and melodeon player who was the first to explain the art of variations to Danny Meehan. He was also one of the first to have a gramophone in the locality and it was here that Jim Meehan, Danny’s father used listen to recordings of Michael Coleman playing the reel, ‘Rakish Paddy’ among other tunes. It is recalled that on one occasion, while dancing to Coleman’s music Anthony’s wellington boot got jammed under the grate of the open fire burning the top of his foot. A great man for music, Anthony had a particular love for highlands and was a source of encouragement for younger players.  He never married and was regarded as a ‘deep thinker’.