Sadness at passing of leading light of midlands music world

The death has occurred of Daniel Sheerin, one of the leading lights in the local music scene in the midlands.

Dan Sheerin, of The Pigeons, Tang, died peacefully on Thursday, at Mullingar Regional Hospital, surrounded by his loving family.

Dan was the guiding force in The Sheerin Family Band, who took to the road over 50 years ago, and who have been going ever since, albeit with many line-up changes.

A hugely prominent figure in the music world, his passing has been greeted with deep sadness across the midlands.

He was born in Ballydrown, Castledaly, one of 10 children, to the late Joe and Theresa Sheerin.

With his late wife, Mary, and a number of children, Dan formed The Sheerin Family Band in 1973. The band played at supper dances, weddings and all manner of social functions across the midlands. Dan and Mary retired from the band in 2005.

He retained an involvement in music and in 2024, at the age of 83, he launched an album, on which 10 of the 11 songs were self-penned, except for a duet he sang with daughter-in-law, Cliona Hagan, who is married to the youngest member of the family, Simon.

Dan was predeceased by his wife Mary (née Slevin), his parents Joe and Teresa, sister Bridie Hamm and brothers Joe and Pat.

Dan will be sadly missed and fondly remembered by his loving family, his 11 children Paul, Des, Janette, Ann, Danny, Noeleen, Kieran, Marian, Tom, Carmel and Simon, his 29 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren, sons-in-law, daughters-in-law, brothers, sisters, extended family, neighbours and many friends.

House strictly private. Removal to St Mary’s Church, Tang, on Saturday, to arrive at 6pm.

Funeral Mass on Sunday at 2pm, and burial afterwards in Temple-a-Valley Cemetery, Tang.