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O'Neill - Irish Minstrels and Musicians, Volume 1, Issue 1, Page 103

O'Neill - Irish Minstrels and Musicians, Volume 1, Issue 1, Page 103
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periodical Publisher
Regan Printing House, Chicago, 1913
periodical Editor
[none]
periodical Title
O'Neill - Irish Minstrels and Musicians
volume Number
1
issue Content
204Irish Minstrels and .LVlusiciansPATRICK OSULLIVANThis surname was as numerous in West Cork and Kerry, as the Smiths werein the old German settlements in Pennsylvania, and equally as insufficient forthe purposes of identification without a subtitle or nickname. The writer in hisboyhood days at the Bantry National School could enumerate seventeen branchesof the Sullivans, as they were commonly called, and the list was by no meanscomplete.Paddy OSullivan is referred to by Grattan Flood as OConnells famouspiper, although Mickey Sullivan, Cumbaw of Castlecove, elsewhere sketched,claimed to he hereditary piper to Daniel OConnells family. At an - rate he wastaught the art of piping by another Sullivan, his uncle and a band master. PiperMr. Sullivan, Coshier, is mentioned by Lady Chatterton in her Rambles in theSouth of Irciand, in 1839.More interested in his personal appearance than in his music, she is silent asto the latter, but describes the former in considerable detail, adding that the nick-name Coshier was given to a particular branch of the OSullivans from whichhe claimed descent, for a peculiarity in using a sword in battle. A most singularfigure he was; originally tall and thin, his height is now diminished, she says, inconsequence of a fall, the result of which was to incline his head greatly to oneshoulder, and his jocose countenance Las acquired an air of knowing familiaritycharacteristic of his profession.This excellent performer, according to Grattan Flood, flourished from 1825to 1840, hut as he could not be induced to wander far from Derrynane, he couldnot have been the celebrated piper of that name mentioned by Carleton who pur-sued a rival named Reillaghan for eighteen months through the whole province ofMunster in order to challenge him to a contest for supremacy.Not everyone is aware that Thomas Sullivan, a famous military band master,and father of Sir Arthur Sullivan, was also a native of Keiry.PATRICK FLA N NERYChronologically this famous blind minstrel is entitled to first place amongIrish American pipers, as far as our information goes.He was a native of Ballinasloe, County Galwav, but neither the date of hisbirth nor any account of his early life has come to our knowledge, except that hisfame was widespread even in his youth.lie was well along in years when he came to America, about 1845 and as hehad no family, he lived for years with Mr. James Quinn in New York City.Money was showered on him as he played in the streets, so keen was the apprecia-tion of his wonderful music, which we can well believe was voluminous as well asmelodious.This grand old minstrel, towering in talent as well as in physique, played hisway into para ise, where no doubt he was eagerly welcomed, if we are to placeany faith in Irish folk lore, for he had his pipes buckled on, with the lively strainsof The Bucks of Oranmore rolling in rhythmic tones from the chanter, whenthe summons to eternity came, as he was entertaining a fascinated audience on thestreets of Brooklyn in the year 1855.in the estimation of Mr. Quinn, a great piper himself, Flanner -, of all thepipers he had ever heard, was the best jig-player that ever laid a finger on achanter.Famous Performers on the Irish or Union Pipes205Ive heard of Flannery from my boyhood, says Mr. Btirke. He was beforemy time, but from all accounts he was a great player.Concerning his splendid instrument the statement of Michael Egan to Mr.Burke is of unique interest: I made his pipes in Liverpool. I made him a goodinstrument, and the right man got it. It made a great name for him and also forme. Lntil I flia(le Flannerys pipes, there was no more thought of my pipemakingthan there was of Michael Mannions of Liver:jool, or Maurice Covnes of Dublin.The renowned piper had lived at least ten years in America, and taking intoconsideration his advanced age on arrival, we can safely assume that his birth maybe dated a score or so years back into the eighteenth century.Flannervs grand set of pipes, in which Mr. Egan, their maker, took so muchpride, became the property of Mr. Quinn, his friend, who honored the old minstrelwith a decent burial. AId McNurnev, into whose hands they passed subsec uently,found them too large for convenience, so he traded them for a more suitableinstrument to Bernard Delaney. who can wake the echoes with them again.although they are far below modern concert pitch.JAMES (;ANDsIw (Kixo OF Knaav PIPERS)As a perfoinier Ofl the Irish or Union pipes, the subject of this sketch al;pearsto have been unrivaled in his (lay, at least as far as musicians of his class hadconic within the scope of l r. and Mrs. S. C. Halls observation in their compre-hensive travels throughout Ireland in the thirties of the nineteenth century.Much prominence has been given th celebrated piper and his talents onpages 39 and 40 of Irish Folk Music: A Fascinating Hobby, in connection with thehistory of the Fox Chase, and which therefore need not he repeated here. Muchsupplementary information, however, concerning this charming character, havingsince come to hand; it is submitted with great pleasure for the edification of thoseinterested in Irish musical biography.Gandsey was long distinguished as Lord Ileadleys piper and it was hisprivilege for many years to receive instruction beneath his lordships roof, wherehis fine original talents were applied to what was worthy of care and cultivation,and where his attention was riveted to the most exquisite melodies of the moun-tains and glens.The venerable bard (who died in 1857 at the patriarchal age of ninety) hadmuch Saxon blood in his veins ; for his father was an English soldier, who, beingquartered at Ross Castle, fell in lovemost naturallywith a pretty Kerry girl.Having espoused him and his fortune, she followed them to Gibraltar, bequeathingher child James to her mothers care. An attack of smallpox left him nearlyblind, but lie could just tell how many candles were lighting on the table: Possiblythe skillful surgery of the modern ocuhist could have effected a cure, as the sighthad not been totally destroyed.The child evinced early genius for music, turning when absolutely an infantthe ree(ls of the lake into musical instruments. When old enough, his grand-father sent him to one of the rustic schools where Latin was taught; and not onlythe master, but the pupils, loved to instruct and aid the precocious blind boy.Gandsev possessed original talent in many ways. His wit was ready and keen,and he threw the genuine character of the strain into his performance.But, gentle reader, from the words of Mrs. Hall you ai e invited to judge foryourself. The door opens and the blind old nian is led in by his son; his headis covered by the snows of age. and his face, though it retains traces of the fearful
issue Number
1
page Number
103
periodical Author
O'Neill, Capt. Francis
issue Publication Date
1913-01-01T00:00:00
allowedRoles
anonymous,guest,friend,member

O'Neill - Irish Minstrels and Musicians

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