2019 Obit: Eugene O'Donnell, fiddle player

Subject: Obit: Eugene O'Donnell, fiddle player
From: Felipa
Date: 03 Jul 19 - 07:09 PM

At a music session tonight, a Derry (N Ireland) musician told me that fellow Derryman Eugene O'Donnell has died in the past week. Eugene lived in the U.S. for a time and recorded with Mick Maloney. I looked on line for an obituary and all I found was a funeral notice for a Eugene O'Donnell in Derry for Mon 1 July. I don't know Eugene's family but the address given was for the right area of Derry city.

link to recording of Eugene O'Donnell playing "The Downfall of Paris"

2012 appreciation of Eugene O'Donnell, with links to two interviews with the man: https://www.derryjournal.com/whats-on/arts-entertainment/nafco-2012-eugene-o-donnell-a-tribute-1-3995075

Subject: RE: Obit: Eugene O'Donnell, fiddle player
From: meself
Date: 04 Jul 19 - 12:42 AM

A very fine fiddler - thanks for the notice.

Subject: RE: 2019 Obit: Eugene O'Donnell, fiddle player
From: Stewart
Date: 04 Jul 19 - 03:23 PM

From Mick Molony, June 28, 2019

This morning we received sad news from Mick Moloney that the legendary musician and renowned fiddler and Irish step dancer Eugene O’Donnell passed away in Derry in the early hours of this morning with his son Shane O'Donnell and family at his side.

From Mick:
“His son Shane gave me the sad news early today Friday June 28, 2019. My old musical colleague and friend Eugene O’Donnell passed away early this morning in his beloved Derry City. We were beyond friends – more like blood brothers, joined at the hip for over 26 years. Despite Eugene holding a full time job as a draughtsman near the great city of Philadelphia we made many LP’s and CD’s and played locally and all over the USA for decades at a time when it was not very fashionable to sing or play Irish traditional songs or music. The colorful story of our rambles would fill a good sized book and in time it will. He was the best of company, the mightiest of musicians and the mightiest of men. He was a champion step dancer in his youth, the finest Irish dancer in the world at that time. He was a great and indeed legendary fiddler who specialized in the passionate performance of the ancient slow airs of Ireland and the majestically beautiful set dances composed by the masters in centuries long gone. He was a great composer himself and accompanied songs like none of his generation. Above all he was loyal to the very core of his being – the sort of man who would swing for a friend. All who knew him will be heartbroken at his loss.”
— Mick Moloney

Subject: RE: 2019 Obit: Eugene O'Donnell, fiddle player
From: Waddon Pete
Date: 07 Jul 19 - 06:09 AM

Eugene was indeed a fine fiddler! Thanks for the link to his music. I have added his name to the "In Memoriam" thread. My thoughts are with all those who know and love him. His music lives on.

RIP

Peter