Life and times of Pat O’Kane the subject of symposium

PAT O’Kane, a daughter of the legendary fiddle player John Joe Gardiner, was the subject of a symposium on her musical life and times during The 26 th James Morrison Trad Music Festival in Riverstown.

Pat’s father, John Joe Gardiner, a native of Corhobber,Ballymote, was a contemporary of fiddle ‘greats’ - Coleman, Morrison and Killoran. John Joe, unlike his contemporaries, didn’t take the emigrant route but settled for most of his adult life in Dundalk, Co. Louth.

Pat’s husband Brian, family members and friends (pictured below), some of whom travelled from the U.S., Britain, Monaghan, Wicklow, Louth and Dublin, reminisced about visits to Lough Arrow and the Riverstown area.

A full Teach Ceoil was treated to an audio and visual presentation of the music of The Gardiner Trio, The Kincora & Siamsa Céilí Bands and The Fodhla Ceilí Group. The musical tracks spanned a period of over seventy years. As a fiddle player, Pat was a constant member of The Siamsa and Fodhla Céilí Bands.

From 1967 to 1969 The Siamsa won three in a row Fleadh Cheoil na h-Éireann Senior Céilí Band titles. Also fondly remembered was Fodhla Band member, Castlebaldwin native, the late Brendan Mc Cabe. Brendan’s family travelled from Dublin for the occasion.

The audio & visual presentation was prepared by Brian O Kane, Dr.Daithí Kearney, Daithí Gormley and Martin Enright.