Charlie Lennon, a fiddle, piano player and composer from Kiltyclogher, Co. Leitrim, was born into a musical family. His musical ability was apparent from a very young age and he was taught fiddle by his older brother Ben and piano by teacher Teresa Gilmartin. He quickly achieved a high level of proficiency and by twelve years of age was playing with the Blue Haven Dance Band, and at fourteen in Michael Shanley’s Seán McDermott Céilí Band. By seventeen he was a full time professional musician, playing with the Richard Fitzgerald Band, the Assaroe Céilí Band and the Emerald Valley Dance Band. He went on to study classical violin, and jazz harmonies. While studying Physics in Liverpool University in 1960 he began playing with the Liverpool Céilí Band, with whom he enjoyed considerable success including two All-Ireland titles and two commercial albums on the Decca label. The band also guested on ITV’s Sunday Night at the London Palladium.

Charlie returned to Ireland in 1969 having married married sean-nós singer Síle Ní Fhlaithearta in 1966. He was one of the most sought after accompanists and has guested on more than 30 commercial recordings since the 1950s. His compositions have become standards in traditional music and he was awarded TG4’s composer of the year Gradaim Ceoil 2006. In 2007 he published his Irish Fiddle Complete Technique as a DVD tutor.  Charlie passed away in June 2024.