Though life was not easy on a subsistence farm, Michael and his siblings grew up in a house which constantly received visitors, particularly local farmers who visited on a Sunday night to ‘ceili’ and keep company with Michael’s father Patrick. Though not musicians or singers, these neighbours were influential in developing Michael’s great interest in storytelling. Michael’s dad also had songs that he would sing around the fireplace to his young children to entertain them after the chores for the day were completed. This had a particular influence on Michael’s sister Josephine.

Josephine found a platform to share her singing talent and songs in the early years of All Ireland Fleadhanna and won two consecutive All Ireland titles in Longford in 1958 and Thurles in 1959. She won a third title in Swinford in 1961. With Michael she was a member of the Eugene Leddy Ceili Band travelling throughout Ireland. After emigrating to the United States in 1963, Josephine continued to sing, perform and teach from her home in Stanford, Connecticut where she lives to this day.

This playlist of singers also features John Blessing, the flute player whom Michael acknowledges as a significant influence on his life and music. John was a fine singer as well as flute player.

Michael was also to make recording history in being the first person to record the well known Longford singer, Larry Cunningham. These recordings of popular hits of the day can be found in this playlist.

The youthful voice of Marie Reilly accompanied by her father Michael on fiddle is beautifully captured, as well as a woman singer whose name we have not yet identified.