Seán’s unexpected visit hits right notes

SEÁN Garvey from the town of Cahirsiveen has long been considered as one of Ireland’s finest traditional singers, singing in both Irish and English. He is also a highly accomplished player of guitar, flute and banjo.

On Saturday, June 9, Sean made a surprise visit to Josephine Keating’s Corner House tavern in Cahirsiveen.

Seán, now domiciled in his native Cahirsiveen, having spent over 10 happy years in Kenmare, was accompanied by a number of Kenmare friends, Arthur O’Sullivan, Bobby Grenfield, James McGann and Edward Egan.

While in Kenmare Seán was, in the opinion of those of traditional music and singing circles there, the undisputed king and master of his craft. On Roughty side his opinion was much sought-after by established and fledgling musicians.

On the day of the visit to the Corner House, he and his Kenmare friends had arrived from the Over-The -Water area near Cahirsiveen having been given a guided tour and historical talk on the area by Pádraig O’Shea, the cox of the Sive Rowing Club.

Patrons of the Corner House were pleasantly surprised when Seán, on the fiddle, and Bobby Greenfield, singing and on guitar, set the musical tone in motion with a fine rendition of ‘Forty Shades of Green’. They were also joined in singing and guitar playing by James McGann. In attendance also were Pádraig O’Shea and his wife Noreen, Dermot Walsh of Valentia, and Laoise Egan of Renard. The evening rolled on, and those in attendance would like to thank the bar person Kate Sadlier, Josephine’s sister, for the welcome refreshments. Kate has been living in Dundrum, County Tipperary, for many years.

The musical session that took place in Josephine Keating’s Corner House recently.