The first name on the list of champions is Tom McHale - better known as a virtuoso tin whistle player. When work brought me from Dublin to Athlone in the early '70's, he was working in the same college. He ran an eponymous Folk Club in a local hostelry and brought many fine singers and musicians through that small town. In a way, along with singer Tony Holleran, he was responsible for converting me from a jazz head to a folk fiend (I've largely reverted since, but that's another story). He died tragically in a road accident a few years later, unfortunately. The club continued under Tony's guidance, for many years after.

Reagrrds