The Irish Traditional Music Archive (ITMA) is committed to providing free, universal access to the rich cultural tradition of Irish music, song and dance. If you’re able, we’d love for you to consider a donation. Any level of support will help us preserve and grow this tradition for future generations.
My native parish Geevagh in South East Sligo, touches on O’Carolan Country and I have great memories of tunes played by the last of the local bards, Josie McDermott
Josie was a fine musician/singer/ composer and playwright.
He was also a fan of Percy French.
When I was about seven years old in Geevagh Hall at a Christmas concert he called me forward – me being a member of St. James’ Well N.S. school band, and asked me “Do you know Phil the Fluter’s Ball”? I replied “No”. He whistled it and said “Well you have five minutes to learn it”! That was my first solo performance!
