Timmy’s lifetime of music is well noted
TUREENDARBY NATIVE TIMMY O’CONNOR HAS BEEN HONOURED BY HIS PEERS AFTER PLAYING MUSIC FOR 65 YEARS
WHILE a concert to celebrate the music of Sliabh Luachra at the Fleadh in Ennis brought about a right little hooley on Friday night, there was however, another little surprise in store for a famed Duhallow musician who was on stage lapping up the atmosphere.
The sprightly and grinning octogenarian Timmy O’Connor was put right smack bang into the spotlight at the Dánlann an Chláir concert hall as he was duly honoured for his years of dedication to traditional Irish music and in particular for playing such a key role in keeping the music alive in Scully’s in Newmarket for over four decades.
However, when The Corkman caught up with 81 year-old Timmy at his home in Tureendarby in Newmarket, he took it all in his stride, but did admit that he was “simply pure delighted” at the recognition.
Indeed, Timmy’s road to music is interesting as even when he was a child he loved the beat and the sound of music.
When he was 16 years-old a melodeon was left in the house after one of the dances, and Timmy picked it up and began to play it. The rest, as they say, is history.
He then spotted a melodeon for sale in what was then Tim Ryan’s shop in Newmarket but it had a price tag of £7 of 10 shillings. While he was wondering how he could buy it, another purchaser snapped it up.
He was quietly devastated about it but his sister Joan was working in the town at a dressmakers shop and saw another melodeon for sale. She snapped it up and landed it home to Timmy and it was quickly put to use.
“That was it from then on as music was for me and I just stuck at it. I love music and the joy that it brings to people. And of course, it’s also very sociable as you get to meet your friends. Music does really bring people together,” he said.
Timmy learnt music not by note but by ear and he is regarded as being highly accomplished on the accordion.
As Timmy has been playing music for 65 years, his love of traditional Irish music has also trickled down to three generations all around him. Noted Newmarket historian Raymond O’Sullivan told The Corkman that Timmy had a huge influence on him when he was growing up and in turn his son, Eoin Stan, who is also a highly regarded musician.
Also on stage on Friday night also were Timmy’s two nieces, Karen Deasy and Eleanor O’Shea along with Raymond O’Sullivan who are all well versed in traditional music thanks to the musician from Tureendarby.
While Timmy is still basking from Friday night in Clare, he isn’t slowing down any time soon as his summer has been busy with the sessions at Bruach na Carraige in Rockchapel and of course, he is also truly at home in Scully’s in Newmarket for the Monday night sessions.