John O'Connell of Dangansillagh

Subject: John O'Connell of Dangansillagh
From: GUEST,Michael Steen
Date: 03 Sep 21 - 12:23 PM

Hello there,

I wanted to create a thread for folks to share any memories/recollections/stories of the late singer John O'Connell, often referred to as John Connell from Dangansillagh, east of Baile Bhúirne. I'm researching him currently and would love to hear from folks who knew him or have memories of him.

What I've learned so far from my research:


It seems John was born sometime in the 1910s. The earliest recordings we've found were 5 acetates made by RTE in 1949. Ennis recorded 5 songs of him for the BBC in September 1952 and noted 'he is one of the best singers we have recorded, with a beautifully ornamented style.' Diane Hamilton recorded a hand full of songs from John in 1962. Dáibhí Ó Cróinín's collection from the 1960s feature a few dozen more recordings and Séamus Mac Mathúna recorded him in the 1970s. It's from the Mac Mathúna and Hamilton collections that Éigse Dhiarmuidín published a collection of his recordings in 2002 titled: 'The maid of Ballingarry and other songs from the Múscraí tradition' with liner notes by Séamus Mac Mathúna.

There is a short clip from approx. 1981 from season 4 of Come West Along the Road featuring O'Connell, being interviewed by Diarmuid Ó Súilleabháin, speaking about George Curtin and singing the closing verse of Curtin's 'The Two Donkeys'. This was taken from 'Hand Me Down' directed by Agnes Cogan.

This is all I've found on this man and I'd love to hear more from anyone who cares to share!

Thank you,
Michael
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