Donal's Tune for Rose, Shona McMillan ©

Rose O'Connor (1921-2008) was one of Ireland's most respected fiddle teachers. Having taught and inspired so many through her remarkable teaching skills and her playing the legacy she has left will continue on for generations to come. In Living Tradition Magazine issue 81 Nov/Dec 2008 her obituary reads: Originally from Moynalty, Rose's family moved to Ladyrath, Wilkinstown in Co Meath where she grew up and where she first developed her interest in music and fiddle playing within her family. As a young girl, her talent was recognised through prizes won at Fleadhs all over the country and she was soon invited to join the Emerald Ceili Band which, even then, was gaining a reputation that still exists as one of the fine exponents of ceili music in the country.

Like many of her generation, Rose had to take the emigrant boat to England, working in London as a seamstress for almost five years before she met her husband Peter whilst visiting her sister in Dundalk and set up home in Patrick Street. She was soon enticed to take up the fiddle again and joined the Cuchulainn Ceili Band in which her brother-in-law, Joe Dunne also played. After the birth of her third child, Rose abandoned the demands of touring with the band for teaching and with great friends and fellow lovers of traditional music, Rory Kennedy and Kevin O'Callaghan, she began fiddle classes.

Soon their pupils, including two of her sons Brendan and Gerry, were collecting major awards, like their first All-Ireland title at Fleadh Ceol in 1967, an honour they repeated for the following two years. Indeed, all of Rose's children inherited her love of Irish music and dance and all have played professionally. That love of music within the family passing on to the next generation and recognised by Ulster Television when they featured Gerry's family and Rose on a programme titled 'Three Generations'. Grandson Donal O'Connor composed a special piece named after her and Roise na bhFonn was played during the service as Rose's remains were taken from the church. Some of her former students played including: Mary Grannell, Austin Dawe, Claire Murphy, Nuala Kennedy and Brendan Larrissey.


Today, Donal O'Connor plays with the band 'At First Light' in addition to many creative partnerships with the some of the finest exponents of Irish tradional music. For more information please visit the At First Light's website and Donal O'Connor's Myspace and Facebook sites.

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• Donal O'Connor
• Gerry O'Connor
• Gerry Fiddle O'Connor
• Lughnasa Music
• O'Connor Violins
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• Dundalk
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[Ptarmi]

Two Master Musicians at work. Simple fantastic Fiddle playing & music.

Back in the 70s, when I started the Fiddle, Gerry & Derek Hoy { Happy } had, without doubt, the most elegant Bow styles on the planet.

So it's interesting to note here, how Donal has quite naturally developed his dad's elegance, while Gerry actually uses a little less Bow these days.

[ShonaMcMillan]

@Ptarmi Two Master Musicians indeed and I smiled at the mention of Derek (Happy) Hoy - he would have been one of the first fiddle players I saw at the Shetland Fiddle Society in Edinburgh that used to meet at the old Zetland Halls in Pilrig Street, just off Leith Walk. My goodness there were some amazing musical nights there when I was a kid! Everyone was so kind and encouraging, certainly to their credit that I play the fiddle today myself. No music, just playing by ear, for the fun of it all.

[fiddle4u]

Mighty Video here Shona , Love that picture there with Rose his Granny..

Hope you don't mind me showing this to all my friend around the Internet ?

jim,,,

[ShonaMcMillan]

@fiddle4u Hi there Jim, I think Donal would be pleased to know you liked the tune and pictures of his granny Rose - I'll pass on your comments to him and Gerry.

Regards, Shona

[fiddle4u]

@ShonaMcMillan

Please do that - And I'd love a tune with Gerry Again.

jim,,,