JIM
LAVIN, UILLEANN PIPER & FLUTE PLAYER
Jim Lavin was born
in Cahir, Castlerea. His father was a native of Cahir and his
mother was Martha Shryane, from Adrigool, Castlerea. There were
nine in his family, three boys and six girls. Jim attended Cloonrohan
National School in the 1930's and early forties. At that time
there were four teachers in the school and one hundred and fifty
pupils. The school closed in the late 1970's with only twenty
three pupils.
Jim left school at the age of fourteen. He worked on the family
farm. He recalls the compulsory tillage, the stations and also
attending fairs in the local towns of Williamtown, Castlerea and
Ballinlough. His earliest memory of music was playing the tin
whistle before the age of four. He learned his early music from
his father, who played in the local Parnells Pipe Band. His mother
played the concertina and was a good listener of music. She could
always correct Jim and Pat if they made mistakes in their music.
Jim played the concert flute, and when his brother Pat returned
from America, he taught Jim how to play the pipes. Jim played
his early music at the local country house dances. He later joined
up with his two brothers Pat and Mick, and two cousins, to play
in the Lavin Ceili Band.
The band played at many of the local Halls. They also attended
many Fleadhs in Thurles, Ennis and Mullingar. Jim was recorded
in Dublin about twenty years ago for 'Ceili House’, and
in 1982, he made his own recording of music called 'Ceol Na Mala’,
which was issued on cassette. Jim likes all types of ceili and
march music. His favourite tunes include' The Four Courts', 'Rathcroghan',
'Saddle the Pony' . 'Jenny's Welcome to Charlie', the Fermoy Lasses'
and 'Heather Breeze'. Jim still enjoys playing the pipes, though
he finds it harder to play as good as he once did.
