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28 Jan 11 - 02:38 PM (#3084208) Subject: P.V. O'Donnell, Donegal fiddler From: Liam's Brother P.V. (Patrick Vincent) O'Donnell, fiddler from Buncrana on Co. Donegal's Inishowen peninsula died early this morning, January 28, 2011, at the hospice unit of Manchester Memorial Hospital, Manchester, CT. P.V. spent roughly equal thirds of his life in Donegal, Nova Scotia and Connecticut. He is best known for his work with the group Barley Bree who recorded for Shanachie Records, but, later in Connecticut, he was at the core of grassroots interest in Irish traditional music. His list of fiddle students spanned the ages and his weekly sessions in downtown Hartford regularly attract a minimum of 25 players and singers. Despite a tough bout with brain cancer, he played till the end. We sat next to each other at McKinnon's Pub on Asylum Street in Hartford nine days ago. P.V. was a really lovely fellow, the best of good company. When he was a young man, P.V. spent as much time as he could searching out the great Donegal fiddle master, John Doherty. Recollections of those days and other times in his life were recorded in two one-hour sessions we had together in July of last year. Copies of those interviews are located at the Irish Traditional Music Archive in Dublin, and at the Irish Music Center of the Burns Library at Boston College. Dan Milner |
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28 Jan 11 - 09:21 PM (#3084413) Subject: RE: P.V. O'Donnell, Donegal fiddler From: Seamus Kennedy P.V. was a great man, and it's my pleasure to have known him. Ar dheis De go raibh a anam. |
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29 Jan 11 - 08:47 AM (#3084622) Subject: RE: P.V. O'Donnell, Donegal fiddler From: GUEST,Roy Arbuckle So sorry to hear about PV's passing. PV was one of the sweetest fiddlers I ever heard. We worked togethe for a couple of years in the 70s, don't think we had a cross word. May he rest in peace |
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29 Jan 11 - 11:09 AM (#3084694) Subject: RE: P.V. O'Donnell, Donegal fiddler From: GUEST,Philippa so sorry to hear this. I remember when Barley Bree used to play in Derry, and I had come across PV again far more recently as he played when on visits home to Buncrana. |
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29 Jan 11 - 11:28 AM (#3084701) Subject: RE: P.V. O'Donnell, Donegal fiddler From: Liam's Brother Arrangements for P.V. O'Donnell: Tierney Funeral Home 219 West Center Street Manchester, CT January 29, 4 - 7 PM. St. Bridget's Church 80 Main Street Manchester, CT January 30, noon. |
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29 Jan 11 - 12:57 PM (#3084752) Subject: RE: P.V. O'Donnell, Donegal fiddler From: GUEST,Patrick O'Kane Sad news--PV was a lovely fella as well as a fine fiddle player. Damn good golfer, too, back in the day---I remember him hitting drives from the first tee at Buncrana Municipal into the Mill River (big hit in those days) just to prove he could do it. In later years, it was always good to hear that "PV's back in town." |
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29 Jan 11 - 02:43 PM (#3084809) Subject: RE: P.V. O'Donnell, Donegal fiddler From: Sandy Mc Lean Sad news indeed! Barley Bree was a great group back when they made Halifax their home! RIP obituary here |
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29 Jan 11 - 03:34 PM (#3084830) Subject: RE: P.V. O'Donnell, Donegal fiddler From: Bonnie Shaljean I'm so sorry to hear it. Had a lovely session with him in the Crosskeys in Antrim this past summer, just a quiet back-room one with mutual friends. I knew from them that he was ill, so said goodbye with particular sadness; but it's a lovely final memory to have of a fine musician and a gentleman. Another good man gone. Rest in peace P.V. |
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29 Jan 11 - 04:01 PM (#3084842) Subject: RE: P.V. O'Donnell, Donegal fiddler From: Diva My sympathies to his family and friends who knew far him better than I ever would but I was luckey enough to hear Donegal fiddle style many years ago RIP |
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29 Jan 11 - 05:49 PM (#3084896) Subject: RE: P.V. O'Donnell, Donegal fiddler From: GUEST,Amy Bissell A great man, glorious fiddler, kind and generous. I met him just after my first trip to Ireland when I heard him playing at City Steam back when it was five guys in a corner. He was so welcoming to all of us who were just learning the music...I played at that session for nearly 9 years. My thoughts and love go out to Marion and his family. He will be sadly missed by so many people. |
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29 Jan 11 - 08:04 PM (#3084970) Subject: RE: P.V. O'Donnell, Donegal fiddler From: meself Sorry to hear this. I got to listen to PV many times in Halifax, when he played with Barley Bree. RIP. |
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30 Jan 11 - 10:37 AM (#3085237) Subject: RE: P.V. O'Donnell, Donegal fiddler From: GUEST,Ciaran Tourish So sad to hear of PV's passing. A true gentleman. When I was a child it was always exciting to hear, as Patrick O'Kane said,"PV's back in town" My thoughts to all his family. RIP |
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30 Jan 11 - 10:43 AM (#3085245) Subject: RE: P.V. O'Donnell, Donegal fiddler From: GUEST,Darren Holden So very sad to hear of PV's passing. An absolutely lovely man an a legend in trad circles. Rest in peace my friend. |
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30 Jan 11 - 04:21 PM (#3085449) Subject: RE: P.V. O'Donnell, Donegal fiddler From: GUEST,Aoife Nee (McBride) So sorry to hear of PV's passing. Another gentleman gone but not forgotton. Thinking of his family and friends at this time. RIP PV.. x |
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30 Jan 11 - 05:34 PM (#3085488) Subject: RE: P.V. O'Donnell, Donegal fiddler From: GUEST,Stormin A few years back PV was gracious and generous enough to drive two hours up to Boston to record a few tracks for my student film's soundtrack, free of charge. I'd only met him a handful of times before, a scrawny awkward kid who probably didn't make much sense, but he did it anyway, and as a result we had incredible music, and I'll always be grateful to him. Listening to him play was like being carried off to an earlier time. Not knowing any other way I could attempt some meager tribute to him, I decided to put all of the movie's music online, so that his work would be available to the world to hear. http://www.youtube.com/user/LoneKnightProduction?feature=mhum#g/c/61A0C6474CF572D2 |
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30 Jan 11 - 06:51 PM (#3085541) Subject: RE: P.V. O'Donnell, Donegal fiddler From: meself Thanks for this, Stormin. |
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31 Jan 11 - 07:38 AM (#3085784) Subject: RE: P.V. O'Donnell, Donegal fiddler From: GUEST,Jimmy McBride My deepest sympathy to all PV's family on his passing. I'll sorely miss his many visits home to Buncrana and all the good times we had together. RIP PV, a good friend and a great musician x |
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31 Jan 11 - 10:34 AM (#3085879) Subject: RE: P.V. O'Donnell, Donegal fiddler From: GUEST,Kevin McElroy P. V. and i became friends in recent years . He would ring me from time to time to talk. Most of our conversation about fiddles and fiddle music. Then he would ask about the health and well being of our mutual friends. I aspire to be so gracious a man. I'll be playing some tunes for you tonight P.V. |
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31 Jan 11 - 11:45 AM (#3085933) Subject: RE: P.V. O'Donnell, Donegal fiddler From: GUEST,Fergus O'Byrne Sad to hear this. Our paths crossed briefly back in the hey day of the Ballad groups back in the late 70s and 80s. He was a lovely fiddler and a nice man. Fergus |
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31 Jan 11 - 11:53 AM (#3085936) Subject: RE: P.V. O'Donnell, Donegal fiddler From: GUEST,Laurence Perry P.V. taught my daughter for many years. He the the most friendy, most happy person I have ever met. A huge loss. He will be missed. |
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31 Jan 11 - 12:44 PM (#3085967) Subject: RE: P.V. O'Donnell, Donegal fiddler From: GUEST,Lisa Luciano I'm a student at Saint Joseph College and just found out about P.V.'s passing this morning. I didn't even know he was sick until I read this thread. I loved going to see his shows and his stories, no matter how many times I heard them, always made me smile. He was a good man and will be greatly missed. "And if you come, when all the flowers are dying And I am dead, as dead I well may be You'll come and find the place where I am lying And kneel and say an "Ave" there for me. And I shall hear, tho' soft you tread above me And all my dreams will warm and sweeter be If you'll not fail to tell me that you love me I'll simply sleep in peace until you come to me." ~Excerpt from Danny Boy |
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31 Jan 11 - 02:13 PM (#3086017) Subject: RE: P.V. O'Donnell, Donegal fiddler From: Sandy Mc Lean Fergus said "Our paths crossed briefly back in the hey day of the Ballad groups back in the late 70s and 80s." Ryan's Fancy and Barley Bree; now that would indeed be music fit for Heaven! |
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31 Jan 11 - 03:00 PM (#3086054) Subject: RE: P.V. O'Donnell, Donegal fiddler From: GUEST,P.V. Fan P.V. played at our wedding ceremony about five years ago, making it truly a wonderful day. He was quite an incredible musician and person. CT will miss him! |
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31 Jan 11 - 06:13 PM (#3086204) Subject: RE: P.V. O'Donnell, Donegal fiddler From: GUEST,Dermot and Una Sorry to hear the sad news about P.V. A lovely man and great to have known him over the years Left him to Belfast Internatioal Airport for his return to U.S.A. 6th Jan. 2011. God Bless You P.V. R.I.P. |
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31 Jan 11 - 06:27 PM (#3086211) Subject: RE: P.V. O'Donnell, Donegal fiddler From: Anglo A lovely and generous man indeed. I last saw him in Hartford a few years ago, and of fond memories of the concert and session he hosted. RIP. |
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10 Feb 11 - 12:38 AM (#3092231) Subject: RE: P.V. O'Donnell, Donegal fiddler From: GUEST,Stephen McKay Goodbye my dear and talented friend. May God bless you. |
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11 Feb 11 - 11:44 AM (#3093250) Subject: RE: Obit: P.V. O'Donnell, Donegal fiddler(28 Jan 2011) From: GUEST,Philippa the Journal Inquirer obituary (Sandy McLean gave a clickable link above but www.legacy.com links are available for a limited time, I believe): Patrick Vincent O'Donnell passed away on Jan. 28, 2011, after a two-year battle with brain cancer. P.V., as he was known to his family and friends, was married for 20 years to his beloved wife, Marian. P.V. was born in the town of Buncrana in County Donegal, Ireland, and moved first to Canada in 1977, and then to the United States in 1987. He was a longtime resident of Manchester, Connecticut. Widely known as "The Donegal Fiddler," and locally as "the man with a thousand friends," P.V. began playing the fiddle at age four, and over the years he learned from and befriended some of the greatest Irish fiddlers. During his long and successful career as an Irish fiddler, he first toured America at age 12 with The Little Gaelic Singers, and hit his musical stride when he formed Barley Bree, a traditional group popular in Ireland that eventually hosted a successful weekly TV series in Canada. While living in Connecticut, P.V. gave powerful and memorable performances with the Hartford Symphony at the Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts, at various concerts and festivals locally and across the country, on Connecticut TV and radio, at a very popular annual St. Patrick's Day concert at St. Joseph College, and at many a private party and wedding. In addition to his long list of memorable performances and recordings, P.V. created a strong and enduring legacy as a fiddle instructor, passing his mastery and skill to students of all ages. He was particularly proud of his younger students, whom he believed are the future of traditional Irish music in America. P.V. also was the gracious host and leader of a weekly traditional Irish music Sesiuin for the past 12 years every Wednesday night in downtown Hartford. He also was a driving force in the Buncrana and Connecticut chapters of Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann, a group that promotes traditional Irish music and culture. P.V. enjoyed the love and devotion of a wide range of musical friends that includes his students, fellow performers, and those who just came to listen. He is survived by three children from a previous marriage, daughter Lisa and two sons, John and Ciaran; two grandchildren, Karl and Sarah; two sisters, Ave and Gloria; and three brothers, John, Carl and Oliver. He was predeceased by his parents, Johnny "Broadway" O'Donnell and Bridie O'Donnell; and his sister, Vita O'Donnell Ferguson. Visitation will be held at John F. Tierney Funeral Home, 219 West Center St., Manchester, from 4 to 7 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 30, 2011. A mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Bridget Church, 80 Main St., Manchester, at noon on Monday, Jan. 31, 2011. Published in Journal Inquirer from January 29 to February 2, 2011 |
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11 Feb 11 - 12:00 PM (#3093265) Subject: RE: Obit: P.V. O'Donnell, Donegal fiddler(28 Jan 2011) From: GUEST,Philippa if you follow the links from Sandy McLean, you can also sign the Legacy com remembrance book, which is open just to the end of this month. There are photos posted there as well, including one of "Liam's Brother" |
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05 Apr 11 - 10:51 PM (#3129515) Subject: RE: Obit: P.V. O'Donnell, Donegal fiddler(28 Jan 2011) From: GUEST,Pat Patterson My condolences to the family. I was a fan of his music and met him a few times, when I would go to his jam sessions in Hartford. My family is from Buncrana too. My mother was born there on the Hillside outside of town. My cousins in Buncrana were friends of P.V. as well as another friend in Buncrana Irish Fiddler Dinny McLoughlin. I'm going to Buncrana in July for a month, I'll carry him in my thoughts when I go. |
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15 Apr 11 - 07:09 PM (#3136038) Subject: RE: Obit: P.V. O'Donnell, Donegal fiddler(28 Jan 2011) From: GUEST,eilish and micheal geoghergan so sorry to hear of this sad passing, we were so good friends in fredericton new brunswick in 1980 .may you reat in pease |
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18 Apr 11 - 06:44 PM (#3137756) Subject: RE: Obit: P.V. O'Donnell, Donegal fiddler(28 Jan 2011) From: Big Mick I had the opportunity to perform on the same bill with P.V. on several occasions over the years, and to enjoy the craic with him on several more. He was a childhood friend of my good friend Jim Duffy of Derry. Jim now lives in Ionia, MI, USA. It was such a pleasure to play music with P.V. and a greater pleasure to converse with this fine man. God be good to him. All the best, Mick |
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13 Sep 12 - 04:52 PM (#3404134) Subject: RE: Obit: P.V. O'Donnell, Donegal fiddler(28 Jan 2011) From: Frank Maher I knew P.V.O'Donnell from when He played with Barley Bree here in Newfoundland and a grand Person He was!!!I was saddened to hear of His death..R.I.P P.V |