Packed weekend at Milltown to honour two pioneers of traditional Irish music

A weekend of music, song and dancing in Milltown Rathconrath next month will celebrate two local men whose contributions to traditional Irish music have become increasingly recognised this year.

William J Mullally and Jim Seery were born and reared as near neighbours in the parish of Milltown Rathconrath and both were gifted musicians, William on the concertina and Jim on the fiddle.

William was born on February 5, 1884, while Jim was born on January 22, 1896. They would have attended the same church and school, but because of the age difference, it is unlikely they ever played music together.

William J emigrated to England and then to America in 1907, while Jim married local girl Julia Moran and moved to Dublin with her to set up home and rear their family.

Jim soon became a prominent member of The Pipers' Club at 14 Thomas St, Dublin, while working nearby in Guinness's brewery. It was there that he got the idea of setting up an All-Ireland organisation to take control of musical events and run competitions, with the aim of enhancing and promoting Irish music at home and abroad.

In 1951, Jim and others from Westmeath met in Mullingar and Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann was born.

Jim passed away on August 5, 1966, and was laid to rest in his native Milltown.

William was the youngest of eleven children born to Joe and Anne (née Meares) and was known for his skill on the concertina. All but one of his brothers and sisters were musical.

He came to the attention of recording companies in America and, soon after, in 1926, made his first recording in New York.

The recording is thought to be the first commercial recording made on the concertina, and it is still available to listen to in different ways, mainly thanks to Harry Bradshaw, Nicholas Carolan and Jackie Small.

William J moved around America and died in the fifties in the southern USA, where he was laid to rest in a union grave. Some years later, his sister had his body exhumed and buried in a family plot in New York.

Music survived in Milltown down the years, as it was common for young people to join with older musicians and play at various events taking place in their locality.

In 2006, when local man Frank Gavigan passed away, the Rathconrath branch was renamed in his honour, as he had taught music to many, including Mick Foster of the Foster and Allen duo.

Every year since, on the first weekend of October, a weekend of music has taken place in Milltown, Rathconrath and Loughnavalley.

Friday events

This year's celebrations begin with a concert on October 2 in Milltown Community Centre, featuring a line-up that includes Brendan Shine, who is well known in the music business and has many hits and successful albums to his name.

Former multi-award winner Colin Nea, who has three All-Ireland titles on accordion to his name and was born and reared in nearby Castletown Geoghegan, is also on the line-up.

This year’s All-Ireland senior concertina winner, local man Caomhán Mac Gabhann, will be presented with the William J Mullally Memorial Trophy. He will share the stage with All-Ireland champion piper Cormac Keegan from the Leixlip branch of Comhaltas.

Also travelling to Milltown for the concert will be husband and wife Nigel and Elaine Black from Antrim, while the Bunbrosna set dancers, fresh back from the Fleadh in Belfast with their medals, will also perform.

The newly formed Milltown singing group will perform some of their well-known popular songs, while local storyteller Pat 'The Moe' Heduan will help keep the entertainment going.

Professional step dancer Rose Carey will dance to the music of Mick Foster and friends.

Mick, who is branch chairman, normally finishes the night on a high note when he leads the Rathconrath Céilí Band on stage.

Mick's wife, the one and only Moyra Fraser, who was musical director with Foster and Allen for many years, will be on hand to back the musicians and ensure that the concert is run to the highest of standards.

The compère for the night will be musician and Shannonside Radio man Martin Donohoe from Cavan.

The concert will take place at Milltown, Rathconrath, Mullingar Community Centre, N91 VA06. Doors open at 7pm, with the show starting at 8pm sharp. Admission is €20.

Saturday events

The following day, Saturday, October 3, will feature a celebration of the life and music of William J Mullally at 2pm at the same venue.

Mícheál O’Raghallaigh will be joined by his nephew Caomhán Mac Gabhann, the present All-Ireland concertina champion.

Afterwards, all musicians are welcome to come and play at the site where the Mullally home once stood. Admission is free and everyone is welcome.

That evening, from 9pm to 12am, the Glenside Céilí Band will bring the usual big crowd to dance the night away in the local centre.

Sunday

The 11am Mass on Sunday will be offered for William J Mullally and family members, as well as deceased members of the Frank Gavigan CCE branch of Comhaltas.

The weekend will conclude with a grand finale in Fox's Bar, Loughnavalley, starting at 7pm on Sunday evening and led by Mick and Moyra Foster.

All musicians, young and not so young, are welcome to come and join in what is expected to be a memorable weekend of music, song and dancing.

Admission is free, with food on the night.

The Frank Gavigan CCE branch would like to acknowledge funding from Comhaltas, North Midlands Credit Union and Westmeath County Council.