Higgins leads tributes after trad musician dies at age 70

TRIBUTES have poured in for renowned fiddle player and composer Tommy Peoples who died at the weekend.

The 70-year-old was a talented solo performer and had played with highprofile trad groups the Bothy Band, the Green Linnet Céilí Band and the Kilfenora Céilí Band.

Tributes were paid over the weekend to the musician, pictured, including from President Michael D Higgins. Mr Higgins said: ‘Regarded as a master of his craft, Tommy enchanted audiences at home and abroad with his unique style of music, playing with the Kilfenora Céilí Band, the Bothy Band and many other legendary figures in the world of traditional Irish music. ‘Tommy has the distinction of receiving two TG4 Gradam Awards, for Traditional Musician of the Year in 1998 and Composer of the Year in 2013, a feat not achieved before or since. He also had a great love of the Irish language, which he considered to be a very important part of Irish life.’

‘I, with so many others, have the warmest memories of Tommy as a friend over many decades and we shall all greatly miss him,’ added President Higgins.

The musician moved to Dublin in 1965 and became a garda, but his involvement in traditional music saw him joining trad groups around the country. He moved to Co. Clare where he married Mary Linnane, daughter of Kitty Linnane, long-time leader of the Kilfenora Céilí Band.

He is father of Siobhán Peoples, considered one of the best fiddlers of her generation, and father and daughter often played together.

Friends and fans have also been paying tribute to Mr Peoples on social media.