Obit: Chris Droney of County Clare (1924-2020)

11 Sep 20 - 01:02 PM (#4071550)
Subject: Obit: Chris Droney of County Clare
From: Vic Smith

Chris Droney - A wonderfully inspiring anglo-concertina player taht we heard several times on visits to Co. Clare. This tribute comes from Clare Echo of 10th September 2020: -

One of Clare’s greatest musicians, Chris Droney has died at the age of 95.

Born in Bellharbour in 1924, Chris is regarded as a legendary concertina player. Over his near nine decade music career, he has been acknowledged with many prestigious accolades including the TG4 Grádam Saoil award for lifetime achievement; a CCÉ Bardic Award, a Teastas award, the Clare Person of the Year Award in 2012 and the 2018 MÓRglór award.

From 1956 onwards, he would become a ten-time senior All-Ireland concertina champion, nine of which were solo efforts and one included a duet with fiddler Gus Tierney. Droney travelled the country and the world playing music. He played alongside the Bell Harbour Céilí Band, the Kilfenora Céilí Band, the Ballinakill Céilí Band, Augrim Slopes and the Kincora Céilí Band throughout his career. He also released three solo recordings, The Flowing Tide, (1962), The Fertile Rock, (1995) and Down From Bell Harbour, (2005).

---

11 Sep 20 - 01:06 PM (#4071551)
Subject: RE: Obit: Chris Droney of County Clare
From: Vic Smith

https://www.clareecho.ie/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/chris-droney.jpg

---

11 Sep 20 - 02:31 PM (#4071555)
Subject: RE: Obit: Chris Droney of County Clare
From: Stilly River Sage

Here's the newspaper link to that obit.

---

12 Sep 20 - 03:11 AM (#4071595)
Subject: RE: Obit: Chris Droney of County Clare (1924-2020)
From: The Sandman

a great player who played in a style inherited from his family , different from Paddy Murphy and the style developed by Noel Hill, Thankyou for your music.RIP

---

14 Sep 20 - 06:19 AM (#4071807)
Subject: RE: Obit: Chris Droney of County Clare (1924-2020)
From: Ernest

Met him when he played the Irish Summer Festival in Berlin-Spandau years ago an had the honour of driving him to church on the sunday after. A true gentleman and a fine player. RIP

---

14 Sep 20 - 07:38 AM (#4071812)
Subject: RE: Obit: Chris Droney of County Clare (1924-2020)
From: Waddon Pete

I was sorry to hear this news. Thanks for posting the newspaper piece Vic. I have added Chris to the "In Memoriam" thread and send my condolences to all those who know and love him. RIP

---

15 Sep 20 - 04:18 PM (#4071988)
Subject: RE: Obit: Chris Droney of County Clare (1924-2020)
From: The Sandman

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=URBZ65IZykI

---

16 Sep 20 - 09:41 AM (#4072074)
Subject: RE: Obit: Chris Droney of County Clare (1924-2020)
From: Noreen

Have a listen to Chris Droney playing a few jigs here:
Chris Droney playing at home (from Terry Yarnell's Collection at the British Library)
Jimmy Hill's jig / Paddy O'Brien / Bellharbour Fancy

---