4. Francie & Mickey Byrne, Caiseal, Kilcar, Co. Donegal, 1959
|
Tom Meehan was the youngest of nine children born to James Meehan and Ellen McHugh of Leirg an Dachtain, Kilcar, Co. Donegal. He played pipes and fiddle and he immigrated to Chicago in 1954, at the age of 29, to join his brother John who arrived in Chicago four years earlier. In December of 1959, Tom returned to his home place to spend Christmas and New Year, during which time he attended many house parties in and around Kilcar. Tom recorded some of these sessions to share with his brother and friends back in Chicago.
The musicians on this recording are brothers Francie “Dearg” and Mickey “Bawn” Byrne of Caiseal, who were accompanied on a few tunes by Peter Cunningham of Shannagh, with songs by Francie Byrne from “up the glen”, Coguish and a recitation by John McFadden of Towney. |
|