John Flynn, Co. Sligo accordion player

Subject: John Flynn, Co. Sligo accordion player
From: GUEST,A
Date: 12 Apr 13 - 11:58 AM

Hello

I'm just looking for some information on an accordion player of traditional irish music named John Flynn.

He was from the Geevagh area of County Sligo.

I'm trying to find out if anybody may have some recordings that were made of him playing.
If they did exist they would most likely be amateur/home recordings.

He was recorded playing in a group with Sonny Flynn,....I'm wondering if there is anything else out there.

Any info, leads, stories or memories would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

A

Subject: RE: John Flynn, Co. Sligo accordion player
From: GUEST,kenny
Date: 12 Apr 13 - 02:07 PM

There are several Sligo musicians with the surname "Flynn" mentioned in Seamus Tansey's book "The Bardic Apostles Of Inisfree", including accordion player Sonny Flynn. I've had a quick "skim" through them but didn't find any mention of any John Flynn in any of the biographies composed by the estimable Mr. Tansey, including Sonny Flynn's. I can't help but wonder if "John" Flynn and "Sonny" Flynn might not have been the same person, but that's sheer supposition on my part. I'll have a closer read through the biographies - and also check Tansey's 2nd volume to see if the name comes up anywhere. Bernie Flaherty's excellent tune collection "The Trip To Sligo" contains brief biographies of many Sligo players - I'll see if the name comes up anywhere there as well.
There are various organisations specialising in the traditional music of Sligo who I'm sure could be of more assistance than an Irish music fanatic from Aberdeen, but I'll do my best.
Good luck in your quest, Kenny

Subject: RE: John Flynn, Co. Sligo accordion player
From: GUEST,kenny
Date: 12 Apr 13 - 02:23 PM

Had a look into Fintan Vallely's "Companion To Irish Traditional Music" - no mention of any Flynns from Sligo there, but I did remember that flute player Josie McDermott had played in a band called "Flynn's Men". Turns out that that was Sonny Flynn, but again, no mention of "John". Fintan's piece about Josie McDermott does mention a James Flynn, who was an influence on Josie, but he was a fiddle player.

Subject: RE: John Flynn, Co. Sligo accordion player
From: GUEST,kenny
Date: 12 Apr 13 - 03:01 PM

I should have looked at Seamus Tansey's 2nd book as well before posting the above. There are 10 pages of Mr. Tansey's thoughts and reminiscences about Sligo accordion player John Flynn between pages 136 and 147. I'm not at all sure how easy it is to get hold of that book these days, and some of the opinions expressed led to one proposed launch being threatened with fire-bombing ! If you can't get a copy anywhere, get back to me here, and we can work something out.
Maybe you have all of this already, though. I can't help with recordings - you'd have to go to Sligo for that, I'd think.

Subject: RE: John Flynn, Co. Sligo accordion player
From: GUEST
Date: 12 Apr 13 - 09:44 PM

Hello Kenny

Thanks very much

No I don't have any of those books but would love to read them as I can only imagine what Tansey says.

But on another note.....and this is a bit of a coincidence seeing as you responded to this thread....
I'm looking for a copy of the album:
"A Tribute To John McKenna" by Mick Woods from Drumshanbo, Co. Leitrim.

I just did a search on google and found a page from the Session.org which was written by a person called Kenny who lives in Aberdeen so I'm thinking there's a good chance it's you.

I was talking briefly with Mick Woods tonight in Drumshanbo.
He's an old man now...must be in his 90's.
He told me and my friend that he does'nt have a copy of his own album so we decided to try track it down for him.

If you are the same Kenny as the one who posted about the album on TheSession.org then it would be great to hear back from you about it and see if it's possible to organise getting a copy of it.

Would be much appreciated, and by Mick most of all.

Thanks

Alan W

Subject: RE: John Flynn, Co. Sligo accordion player
From: GUEST,kenny
Date: 13 Apr 13 - 04:11 AM

Hi Alan - that's me, one and the same. If you can get me an address to send the record to, Mick Woods can have it, with my compliments.

Subject: RE: John Flynn, Co. Sligo accordion player
From: MartinRyan
Date: 13 Apr 13 - 05:21 AM

As you begin to pick up clues, it may well be worth checking out the Irish Traditional Music Archive in Dublin. Their extensive catalogue is now online and, if you're based in Ireland, you can just drop in to their Merrion Sq. premises.

There are other archives both locally in Sligo and nationally - but ITMA is the best starting point.

Regards

Subject: RE: John Flynn, Co. Sligo accordion player
From: GUEST,Peter Laban
Date: 13 Apr 13 - 08:19 AM

Right Martin, I was thinking of the Michael Colman Centre's archive in Gurteen.

Subject: RE: John Flynn, Co. Sligo accordion player
From: GUEST
Date: 13 Apr 13 - 10:05 AM

For Kenny (regarding Mick Woods)

Hello

That's great thanks.

I'm wondering if you could post the album to me and I could present it to Mick. I would love to see the look on his face when we give it to him.
Also I have access to equipment that would allow me to convert the LP to digital format and I could submit it to Comhaltas Archive in the Coleman Centre in Gurteen, Co. Sligo.

I am also more than willing to pay you for the record and postage.

I would prefer to provide you with my postal address by email:
you can contact me at [e-mail]

Thanks very much

Alan

Subject: RE: John Flynn, Co. Sligo accordion player
From: GUEST
Date: 13 Apr 13 - 10:09 AM

Martin and Peter (regarding John Flynn)

Thanks very much

Yes I have been in contact with the staff in ITMA and they have some recordings of John Flynn playing in a group with Sonny Flynn amongst other musicians.
These are the recordings I mentioned in the original thread post.

I am in regularly in the Coleman Archive in Gurteen and I know for certain that they have no material related to John Flynn.

I'll keep scratching about, see what turns up.

Thanks

Alan

Subject: RE: John Flynn, Co. Sligo accordion player
From: GUEST
Date: 15 Apr 13 - 07:51 AM

I'll correct myself actually.

I mean't that the Coleman Archive does'nt have any recordings of John Flynn playing solo.................but they do have recordings of John Flynn playing in a céili band with Sonny Flynn and other musicians

Alan

Subject: RE: John Flynn, Co. Sligo accordion player
From: GUEST,kenny
Date: 16 Apr 13 - 11:12 AM

LP is on its' way - I hope it arrives safely, - with best wishes, from Scotland. Kenny

Subject: RE: John Flynn, Co. Sligo accordion player
From: GUEST
Date: 25 Apr 13 - 10:02 AM

I'll correct myself again.

After further poking and digging I did find out that the Coleman Centre in Gurteen has more recordings of John Flynn.

They has some recordings made in Conlon's Pub in Geevagh, Co. Sligo sometime in the 1960's.

The recordings feature:
Josie McDermott on flute
John Flynn on accordion
and Sonny Conlon on drums

Alan