2025 Obit: Meaití Jo Shéamuis Ó Fátharta- musician

Subject: Obit: Meaití Jo Shéamuis Ó Fátharta - musician
From: Felipa
Date: 04 Jan 25 - 03:07 PM

I just got a shock as I learned of the death of Irish singer and musician (flute and uileann pipes) Meaití Jo Shéamuis Ó Fátharta of Conamara. He was a lovely cordial man, as well as being a fine musician. He was a radio presenter and collector as well; I just read that in 2021 Meaití (Matty) donated his collected resources to the Irish Traditional Music Archives.

Meaití Jo Shémais won the celebrated Corn uí Riada for sean-nós singers in 2001.

https://rip.ie/death-notice/condolences/meaiti-jo-sheamuis-o-fatharta-galway-inverin-580477

an introduction Meaití Jo Shéamuis wrote mainly in English: https://irishnashville.wordpress.com/tag/meaiti-jo-sheamuis-o-fatharta/

singing An Spailpín Fanach (youtube)
Bóithríní an Locháin

I didn't find videos of Meaití Jo Shéamais playing music, only of him singing and lilting.

Subject: RE: Obit: Meaití Jo Shéamuis Ó Fátharta - musician
From: GUEST,Peter Laban
Date: 04 Jan 25 - 06:11 PM

I was shocked to see the obit on the TG4 news earlier tonight. Meaití Jo spent time down this way, recording and playing music, visiting friends. I hadn't seen him hor a dhole though.

The news item had him play the flute snd the pipes as well as singing.

Subject: RE: Obit: Meaití Jo Shéamuis Ó Fátharta - musician
From: GUEST,Peter Laban
Date: 07 Jan 25 - 03:00 PM

This from RTE, in Irish:

Meaiti jo sheamuis o Fatharta curtha i gcre na cille

Subject: RE: Obit: Meaití Jo Shéamuis Ó Fátharta - musician
From: Felipa
Date: 07 Jan 25 - 04:21 PM

thank you, Peter. At the very end of the RTÉ report on the funeral of Meaití Jo Shéamuis, it says that there is a tradition in Conamara of singin Amhrán Mháinse at the graveside of past winners of Corn uí Riada.

Also known as Amhrán Mhuighnise or Amhrán Mhuínse, it is the song, well known among singers of Irish-language songs, of a woman from Mweenish/ Muínis who had married a man from the mainland but said she wished to be buried in her native island.
https://lyricstranslate.com/en/amhr%C3%A1n-mhu%C3%ADnse-song-muighinis.html

Another interesting article in Irish about Meaití and his background, was published a couple of years ago (when he was alive)
https://www.taiscecf.ie/ealaiontoiri/meaiti-joe-sheamuis

Subject: RE: Obit: Meaití Jo Shéamuis Ó Fátharta - musician
From: GUEST,Peter Laban
Date: 15 Jan 25 - 11:26 AM

From RTE, and the Journal of music:



RTE news : Singer and broadcaster Meaití Jó Shéamuis Ó Fátharta dies aged 77

Subject: RE: Obit: Meaití Jo Shéamuis Ó Fátharta - musician
From: GUEST,Peter Laban
Date: 15 Jan 25 - 01:06 PM

Here is the full text of the obituary:

    scellany
    Drama
    Comedy
    Orchestras

Singer and broadcaster Meaití Jó Shéamuis Ó Fátharta dies aged 77
Updated / Wednesday, 15 Jan 2025

Via The Journal Of Music: The sean-nós singer, musician and broadcaster Meaití Jó Shéamuis Ó Fátharta has died. He was 77.

From Na hAille in Indreabhán in Conamara, he was part of the original staff of seven producer/presenters in RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta when it launched in 1972. Before the station commenced broadcasting, Meaití Jó began recording musicians for future programmes, among them his uncle, Máirtín Shéamuis, who played the self-composed reel titled Cladaigh Chonamara on the Jew’s harp. It was to become the station’s signature tune and still is to this day.

Listen: The signature music for RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta, recorded by Meaití Jó Shéamuis Ó Fátharta from his uncle Máirtín Shéamuis.

Born in Conamara in 1947 to Nan Pheadaí Nic Dhiarmada and Jó Shéamuis Ó Fátharta, Meaití Jó’s music came from both sides of his family: his mother was a singer and his uncle, Tom Pheadaí, was a storyteller and singer. His mother’s family were well known for their musical gatherings.

On his father’s side, Máirtín Shéamuis Ó Fátharta played the accordion as well as the Jew’s harp, and Pádraicín Darby played the uilleann pipes. Meaití Jó began playing the tin whistle when he was eight years old.

He attended the University of Galway, graduating with a degree in Irish and French, and began teaching at Scoil Chuimsitheach Chiaráin in An Cheathrú Rua before joining the founding staff of Raidió na Gaeltachta. At the beginning he was involved in a range of programmes, from news to sport to entertainment, and his work brought him into contact with singers such as Tom Pháidín Tom and Cóil Neaine Pháidín who influenced Meaití Jó’s own music. He began presenting his music programme Lán a’ Mhála soon after the station began.

Meaití Jó became well-known as a singer, musician and broadcaster and was a familiar and encouraging figure at traditional music events throughout the country. He would record a wide range of singers and musicians and present his recordings on Lán a’ Mhála. In 1995, he was appointed Eagraí Ceoil (Music Editor) of the station and continued his collecting, which now forms part of the Raidió na Gaeltachta archive.

Meaití Jó was an exceptional sean-nós singer and had a distinctive style. He competed successfully in Oireachtas competitions, winning Comórtas na bhFear in 1992 and 1998 and then Corn Uí Riada in 2001 when it took place in Dingle, Co. Kerry.

Listen: Meaití Jó Shéamuis Ó Fátharta - Sean-nós Songs from Connemara

Multi-talented, he also played uilleann pipes and flute as well as the whistle and Jew’s harp, and was a skilled lilter. He regularly played with his friend, the late melodeon player Johnny Connolly, in sessions throughout Conamara and they also travelled abroad. Meaití Jó was also an active sportsman and played with the local GAA club, Cumann Mícheál Breathnach, until he was in his mid-forties.

In 2003, Meaití Jó released the album Bóithríní an Locháin on the Cló Iar-Chonnacht label, featuring a blend of songs and music, some previously unrecorded. He also featured on the album Draíocht na Feadóige with his friend, the flute player Neansaí Ní Choisdealbha, who is also a broadcaster on RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta, now the station’s Eagraí Ceoil. Meaití Jó can also be heard on the album Subhóró released by Acadamh na hOllscolaíochta Gaeilge.

He was particularly known for his rendition of the song Bóithríní an Locháin written by Pádraig Learaí Ó Féinneadha and it is that song that concludes his album. He received it from his mother who was from Lochán Beag in Conamara.

Meaití Jó leaves an extensive legacy as a singer, musician, broadcaster and collector. A tribute programme dedicated to his memory was broadcast on RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta on 8th January and can be heard here.

Meaití Jó Shéamuis Ó Fátharta was predeceased by his son Tadhg and is survived by his wife Jean, son Aengus, daughters Sinéad and Aedín, and extended family.