Robbie McMahon was the embodyment of the heart and soul of Irish traditional unaccompanied singing. He loved to sing and to listen. He understood the deep connections between the songs, the people and the culture. He was always happy and willing to share his songs and the history of the songs. I first met him in Ennistymon Co. Clare about 20 years ago. He sang Spancil Hill and I was blown away by the power of his performance, being familiar with Christy Moore's version I was really taken by Robbie's longer version and afterwards I sat beside him and he filled me in on the story behind the song and Robbie's own role in it's rediscovery. Over the years we bumped into each other at festivals and concerts and singing sessions and he was always such good company, always full of energy and vitality. He will be sadly missed by so many.
Fergus