Musicians gather to celebrate legendary Johnny

Johnny Connolly, master of the melodeon and much-loved traditional musician, will be honoured at a special event in the Park Lodge Hotel, Spiddal, next Friday, May 13. Musicians and friends from Ireland and abroad will come together for a night of music, song and dance to celebrate the Connemara man’s contribution to traditional music over the past 50 years.

Performers will include Máirtín O’Connor; John Carty; Marcus ó hIarnáin & family; Seamus Begley; Mary Shannon; Joe Burke;  Don Stiffe; Liam O’Connor; Charlie and Eilís Lennon; Liz & Yvonne Kane; Meaití Jó Shéamuis;  Mick Foster;  Harry Bradley; Colm & Kelly Gannon; Caitríona & Pól Ó Ceannabháin;  Neansaí Ní Choistealbha and more.

Johnny’s flawless style has seen him being described as ‘King of the Melodeon’. He has been in great demand over the years for concerts, at sessions or as an accompanist for set- or sean-nós dancing.  His vivacious,  rhythmic playing, and welcoming presence at sessions is admired by musicians and listeners alike, and his love of the traditions and culture of his native Connemara colours every tune he plays.

Johnny first solo album, An tOileán Aerach, was released in 1991 to great acclaim throughout the traditional music world. Some years later, he released Drioball na Fáinleoige or The Swallow’s Tail, on which he was joined by accompanists Charlie Lennon and Steve Cooney.  In 2004 he released An Mileoidean Scaoilte, and in 2010 he joined forces with Marcus Ó hIarnáin to record Seoda na nOileán – Island Treasures.

Johnny Phádraic Pheter as he is known locally, is originally from the small island of Inis Bearacháin off the Connemara coast.

Having lived for many years in Preston, he returned home in 1976 and has since lived in Cor na Rón in Connemara with his wife Patricia, a Sligo native. They have three children; renowned accordion player, Johnny Óg Connolly, Jimmy Connolly a TV editor, and Mary Ellen who teaches in the Jesuit National School in Galway.

Next Friday’s concert, In Ómós Johnny, will commence at 9pm and tickets (€10) are available at Tigh Giblin, Spiddal; Taaffes Bar, Tigh Chóilí and the Crane Bar in Galway.