Donegal Fiddle MusicPhonsie Ward (1914 – 1993)
(2nd January 1914 – 12th November 1993) Alfonsus or Phonsie, was born in An Charraig on 2nd January 1914. From a young age he developed a love for…
John Gillespie
John (Johnny Mhuiris) grew up in Mín an Draighin in the 1920s, a period when the local tradition was particularly strong. He may have been influenced by his…
Paddy Boyle (c.1865 – 1951)
Paddy Boyle was born and raised in the townland of Coillte Feannaid some time in the mid 1860’s. As a young player he was influenced by both Anthony…
Patrick Breslin (1897 – 1994)
(16th September 1897 – 9th December 1994) Patrick or ‘Paddy the Cooper’ as he was known locally, was born with a twin sister, Mary Ann in An Srath…
Paddy Carr (d.1953)
Although he was born and reared in the townland of Lairg an Breac in the parish of Ard an Ratha, Paddy, a fiddler was strongly associated with local…
Paddy Gillespie (1914 – 1992)
(6th January 1914 – 22nd November 1992 Paddy (Paddy Dhónail), a fiddle player, was married to Maggie McGinley, also from Mín na Croise. They had seven children together,…
Patrick O’Byrne (1896 – 1967)
(26th June 1896 – 30th May 1967) Patrick (Paddy Hiudaí O’Byrne) of Mín na Croise, a first cousin of Con McGinley was born in 1896, the same year…
Anthony O’Byrne (1927-2001)
(18th February 1927 – 30th October 2001) Anthony Hiudaí was the eldest child of Paddy Hiudaí and Kate of Mín na Croise. Although leaving home at fourteen years…
Condy McGinley (1873 – 1946)
(c.1873 – 13th January 1946) Condy, or Condy Beag was the son of Condy and Bridget (nee McNelis), a lilter who married into Mín na Croise from a…
Con McGinley (1915 – 2013)
(16th July 1915 – October 2013) Con, son of Condy, grew up at a time when the music tradition of Mín na Croise and Gleann Cholmcille was particularly…
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