Obit: Desi Wilkinson Irish flute player 1954-2026

Subject: Obit: Desi Wilkinson Irish flute player
From: Felipa
Date: 30 May 26 - 07:52 PM

I am sorry to hear of the recent death of Desmond (Desi) Wilkinson. I am glad that I heard him performing in Drogheda last November; he seemed well then. https://rip.ie/death-notice/desmond-desi-wilkinson-limerick-castletroy-631522 "It is with profound sadness that the family of Desmond (Desi) Wilkinson announce his passing at Milford Care Centre, on 21st May 2026, after a short and difficult illness bravely borne

Beloved husband of Geneviève and much-loved father of Lochlainn and Rory. Deeply cherished grandfather of Daniel, Sam, Luc, and Theo. Sadly missed and lovingly remembered by his daughters-in-law Carrie and Petra, his brother James, sisters Rosemary and Alison, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, extended family, neighbours and a wide circle of friends.

Desi was renowned for his lifelong contribution to Irish traditional music as an acclaimed flute and whistle player, singer, teacher, and performer, admired both in Ireland and Internationally. His warmth, kindness, musicianship, and gentle spirit touched all who knew him.

May He Rest in Peace." It is with profound sadness that the family of Desmond (Desi) Wilkinson announce his passing at Milford Care Centre, on 21st May 2026, after a short and difficult illness bravely borne

Beloved husband of Geneviève and much-loved father of Lochlainn and Rory. Deeply cherished grandfather of Daniel, Sam, Luc, and Theo. Sadly missed and lovingly remembered by his daughters-in-law Carrie and Petra, his brother James, sisters Rosemary and Alison, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, extended family, neighbours and a wide circle of friends.

Desi was renowned for his lifelong contribution to Irish traditional music as an acclaimed flute and whistle player, singer, teacher, and performer, admired both in Ireland and Internationally. His warmth, kindness, musicianship, and gentle spirit touched all who knew him.

May He Rest in Peace."

Desi was a member of the band "Crann" along with Niall Martin and the late Sean Corcoran. He was also a university lecturer. From the desiwilkinson.eu website: "Dr Desi Wilkinson is an experienced Academic. A lecturer and published author he has twenty years’ experience working in Universities in Ireland, Canada and the UK.

"He holds a PhD in ethnomusicology and his academic work has been published in journals and book chapters. His recent book ‘Call to the Dance’ – with field recordings included- concerns the cultural context and aesthetics of traditional dance music in Brittany (Pendragon Press, New York, 2016).

"He spent 10 years as a full-time lecturer in Music studies at Newcastle University UK (2005-2015). From 2015 until May 2020 he held the post(s) of traditional Artist in Residence at University College Cork and MIC, University of Limerick."

Subject: RE: Obit: Dessie Wilkinson Irish flute player
From: Felipa
Date: 30 May 26 - 07:56 PM

ITMA interview with Desi, includes music, 2025 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UDqFAWupCuE

Subject: RE: Obit: Dessie Wilkinson Irish flute player
From: Felipa
Date: 30 May 26 - 08:04 PM

one of the many testimonies in the condolence book at rip.ie : "It’s such a shock to hear about Desi. Sincere condolences to Genevieve and to all of the family, warmest wishes and wishing you all much strength over this troubling time.
Desi was such a generous and effervescent person, driven and always up for a tune whether it was in Miltown Malbay, at a fleadh, on the train, or outside Marie’s coffee shop playing fiddle with as much verve as his fluting. A lasting memory is of Desi’s high-spirited-delivered stories which often made his shoulders erupt from uncontrollable giggles. I have often been compelled by Desi’s infectious style of playing to learn many tunes from his repertoire and I look forward to playing them at our next session and to teaching some choice ones, to some of my flute – learning students, tunes which will guarantee some proper working at, for Desi played many a tune so effortlessly and punctuated so perfectly that not until you tried them, you’d realise they’re not as handy as you’d thought. Rest in Peace Desi.
— Sheena Vallely"

Subject: RE: Obit: Dessie Wilkinson Irish flute player
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 30 May 26 - 08:23 PM

I did some digging to see if I could find more biographical information (his birth year) and instead ended up finding his doctoral dissertation. This link gives the abstract (hefty abstract!) and it looks like you can download the PDF file of The world of traditional dance music in Brittany : an exploration of the political, cultural and socio-economic reality of traditional dance music in Brittany 1992-1999.

Subject: RE: Obit: Dessie Wilkinson Irish flute player
From: GUEST,Peter Laban
Date: 31 May 26 - 05:54 AM

Was Neil Martin in Cran? Seán Corcoran and Ronan Browne were.

It was a bad month, Another 'great outbreak of dying' as the song has it. We lost the wonderful boxplayer Charlie Harris and piper Mick Coyne as well.

I heard Tara Breen play Desi's 'Corsican waltz' in tribute to him on Wednesday. She made a great job of it, what better way to remember someone.

Subject: RE: Obit: Dessie Wilkinson Irish flute player
From: GUEST,Lang Johnnie Mor
Date: 31 May 26 - 08:04 AM

Hi Peter, Neil was the original piper with "Cran", before he was replaced by Ronan Browne.
I first met Desi in 1977, when Dougie MacLean brought him over to Scotland after quitting the "Tannahill Weavers". I'm not going into a long story here, although I might have a few words to say on "thesession.org" later. I kept in touch with him and Genevieve over the years, my late wife and I met up with them a few times when Desi was lecturing at Newcastle University. and I last saw Desi at the Jimmy McHugh Memorial weekend in Glasgow a few years back. I wish I'd kept in touch more. He was a musical hero of mine, a man with a great sense of humour, which came through in his music, which he was always very generous in sharing.
I went over to Co. Clare to say goodbye last week which was how I came to be in Ennis [ re your recent email, Peter ]. The funeral was a very moving affair, attended by some of the finest Irish traditional musicians of our, or any generation, and some wonderful musical tributes were paid to Desi as well as speeches from friends and family. The amount of love and respect for Desi as a musician and person was truly wonderful to behold. He will be much missed, by his family, friends, and many, many musical admirers.
May he rest in peace.
PS - to "Stilly River Sage", I'm fairly sure Desi was born in 1954.

Subject: RE: Obit: Dessie Wilkinson Irish flute player
From: GUEST,Peter Laban
Date: 31 May 26 - 09:03 AM

Had to get my head around your screen name but I got it after a minute ;-).

I wondered if you dipped into the Fleadh Nua and we perhaps happened to be in the same room at one of the Riches concerts without realising but ofcourse you were over for the funeral. It all makes sense now.


I never knew Neil Martin was in Cran, when first I knew of them, Browne was firmly embedded.

I was listening to bits of Cosa gan bhroga this week, I have a soft spot for that.