2020 Obit: Leitrim fiddler Ben Lennon

Subject: Obit: Ben Lennon
From: GUEST,Jim & Francie Bainbridge
Date: 01 Apr 20 - 04:37 AM

We have just heard that the legendary Leitrim fiddle player, Ben Lennon has passed away.
Ben was a real gentlemen and a wonderful, unpretentious player of the first rank. He was born in Kiltyclogher in 1928, and still resident in Co. Leitrim, a few miles away in Rossinver.
His family are well known in the music world, and it was an honour to save met and played with him during ou few years in Lovely Leitrim.
R.I.P. Ben, and our thoughts are with his family.

Subject: RE: 2020 Obit: Ben Lennon
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 01 Apr 20 - 11:01 AM

https://www.leitrimobserver.ie/news/home/530870/tributes-paid-following-passing-of-leitrim-irish-music-legend-ben-lennon.html

Tributes have been paid following news of the passing of acclaimed Leitrim musician, Ben Lennon.

Born in Kiltyclogher, North Leitrim in 1928, Ben was one of four sons born to fiddler Jim Lennon and Sally McGriskin.

He began learning music with Sean O’Donoghue and also learned from Fermanagh fiddlers John Timoney and John Gordon and from piper, flute-player and fiddler John McGovern.

A tailor by trade, like this father, Ben studies in London before working in Limerick, Cork and Donegal but it traditional Irish music that held his heart.

This love was something he passed on to the next generation and his son, Maurice, was the founding fiddle-player with Stockton’s Wing.

In 2011 Ben was awarded the TG4 Gradam Ceoil Lifetime Achievement Award for his love and dedication to his craft.

Chairperson of Leitrim Comhaltas, John McCartin, issued a statement of condolence to the Lennon family on Ben's passing.
"Over the course of his long life, Ben taught, influences and encouraged thousands of musicians. His nature was reflected in the understated brilliance of his music. All those he encountered, remember him with great fondness. He leaves behind an invaluable legacy for which our tradition will be eternally grateful. May he rest in peace."

The Kiltyclogher community also offered their condolences noting on the KiltyLive Facebook page: "RIP Ben Lennon and condolences to the Lennon family. Thank you for all the Days. What beautiful tunes and stories. Thank you."

Subject: RE: 2020 Obit: Ben Lennon
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 01 Apr 20 - 11:04 AM

https://journalofmusic.com/news/rip-fiddle-player-ben-lennon

RIP Fiddle-player Ben Lennon

Influential Leitrim musician passes away.

The great Irish fiddle-player Ben Lennon has passed away. Known for his discerning fiddle-playing and his rich repertoire of tunes, he was also highly regarded as a fiddle teacher.

Lennon was born in Kiltyclogher, Co. Leitrim, in 1928. He was one of four sons of fiddler Jim Lennon and Sally McGriskin. He began learning music with the dancing master Sean O’Donoghue and subsequently learned from Fermanagh fiddlers John Timoney and John Gordon and from piper, flute-player and fiddler John McGovern.

Lennon was also greatly influenced by the recordings of fiddle-players Michael Coleman, Paddy Killoran, James Morrison and Hughie Gillespie, as well as the local music of his own Leitrim and of nearby Fermanagh and Donegal.

Like his father, who was a tailor, Lennon entered the clothing trade, studying in London and then working in Limerick, Cork and Donegal.

In 2016, he told the TG4 television series Hup about the music he grew up with:

You could divide Leitrim into three divisions: the very north of Leitrim where I come from, and then the middle part, and then the south. You had fiddle-playing mainly in the north, in the middle you had flute playing, and then you had a mixture of fiddles and flutes in south Leitrim. It’s a lifty rhythm; short, snappy.

Lennon was part of a well-known family of musicians. His son Maurice was the founding fiddle-player with Stockton’s Wing and his brother is the fiddle-player and composer Charlie Lennon.

Lennon’s playing style was characterised by a thoughtful and rhythmic approach, full of inventive ornamentation and variation. He made a number of recordings including Dog Big, Dog Little with Seamus Quinn, Gabriel McArdle and Ciarán Curran (1989), The Natural Bridge (1999), Within a Mile of Kilty with Charlie and Maurice Lennon, Séamus Quinn, Brian Rooney and John Gordon (2005), and Rossinver Braes with concertina player Tony O’Connell (2008).

In 2011, a book, Ben Lennon: The Tailor’s Twist, was published about his life, featuring photographs from Nutan Jacques Pirapez and a text by Fintan Vallely. In the same year, he was awarded the TG4 Gradam Ceoil Lifetime Achievement Award.

There is a YouTube video link with the obit.

Subject: RE: 2020 Obit: Ben Lennon
From: GUEST,Peter Laban
Date: 01 Apr 20 - 12:21 PM

https://rip.ie/death-notice/patrick-bernard-ben-lennon-rossinver-leitrim/418097

Subject: RE: 2020 Obit: Ben Lennon
From: Bee-dubya-ell
Date: 01 Apr 20 - 02:25 PM

Oh no! Ben was my friend Frances's teacher at Willy Clancy for several years. She adored him. She even named her cat after him. She'll be heartbroken.

Subject: RE: 2020 Obit: Leitrim fiddler Ben Lennon
From: Waddon Pete
Date: 07 Apr 20 - 03:56 PM

I was sorry to hear this news. Legendary sums him up! Have a listen on the internet if you can. My condolences to all those who know and love him. I have added Ben to the "In Memoriam" thread.

RIP

Subject: RE: 2020 Obit: Leitrim fiddler Ben Lennon
From: GUEST,jim bainbridge
Date: 07 Apr 20 - 04:28 PM

There's another thread about Source Singers.
Ben was arguably a source musician and anyone with any interest in fiddle music from ANYWHERE should seek him out online, especially youtube- his CD 'Rossinver Braes' with Tony McConnell on concertina was a tremendous rhythmic collection of tunes.
What a musician.... R.I.P. Ben Lennon

Subject: RE: 2020 Obit: Leitrim fiddler Ben Lennon
From: GUEST,Idris Edwards ,Swansea ,South Wales
Date: 07 Jun 20 - 09:03 AM

Have just read of Bens death.So sorry to lose Ben. He was a good friend and we had known each other for quite a number of years.

Subject: RE: 2020 Obit: Leitrim fiddler Ben Lennon
From: Jim Carroll
Date: 07 Jun 20 - 09:44 AM

Ban came to London in the early 90s to judge 'The Fiddler of London' weekend competition at Battersea Town Hall
Piper, Tom McCarhy's son-in-law, Henry Benagh, from Nashville, entered the competition - I remember Ben saying "I don't know where you learned our music" as he handed Henry the prize
Great memories, wonderful days
Jim