Influence of Kerry music on founding member of De Dannan

‘KERRY Music and it’s Musicians - A Source of Influence on My Personal Style’ is the title of Saturday night’s latest installment of the rolling Handed Down series of lectures and recitals at the Heritage Centre in Scartaglin Village with a starting time of 8pm sharp.

It will be presented by Charlie Piggott. A founder member of De Dannan Charlie Piggott hails from Cobh.

His father was from Glenbeigh and his mother from Dingle. As a child visiting Dingle with his mother, one day they ventured into Caballs in Tralee where Charlie spotted a melodeon in a box on the top shelf .

A deal was struck for six old pounds and years after this same instrument featured on the first two De Danann LPs.

When touring abroad he met many exiled Kerry musicians like Johnny Cronin of Reaboy Gneeveguilla and Cuz Teahan in Chicago.

He will share these stories of tune collecting and stories with the Handed Down audience on the coming Saturday night, November 18.

As with all the Handed Down nights there will be special guests and Saturday night’s will include: Joe Thoma from Kenmare; The Mick Culloty Band with guest fiddlers Sean Abeyta, Emma O’ Leary, Noreen O’Shea, Kate Rowlands and Carol Leader.

Julianne O’Connor and young musicians Caoimhe and Eimhear Flannery from Rockchapel

Caoimhe won the U-18 Fiddler of Dooney title in Sligo on the Saturday night of the October bank holiday weekend. Adults €8 and Children U-12 €3.

Photo by John Reidy Saturday night’s Handed Down special guest, Charlie Piggott pictured with mandolin player and singer Mary Lawless at the World Fiddle Day Scartaglin celebrations last May.