MARY
BEIRNE (1928-2002) FIDDLE & MELODEON PLAYER
Mary Beirne (nee
Conlon) was born and lived in Cloonculane, Strokestown. She was
better known as 'Baby Conlon' a pet name her father put on her
when she was young. Mary was married to Paddy Beirne, and they
had five children. Her husband Paddy died suddenly in 1976. Mary's
introduction to music was in her home. Their house was famous
in the area for sessions of music and country dances. Mary got
an ear for music by listening to the musicians playing in the
house. Her mothers name was Farrell and her uncle, Ned Farrell,
was a champion step dancer.. Mary began playing the melodeon
at the age of ten, and at fourteen she started playing the fiddle.
She played all her early music at sessions in houses, and although
women musicians were rare at the time, she never felt out of place
at the sessions.
Mary recalls learning her music from local musicians such as the
two Hughes's, Tom and Stephen, from Caldramoran, Elphin, and from
Jimmy Tighe and Paddy Caslin in Strokestown. The gramophone was
also a great help. When the country dances finished Jim Tighe
started a branch of Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann in Strokestown.
Although the branch was small they competed in Scoraiocht, a famous
competition at the time, run by Comhaltas. After some time with
Strokestown, Mary joined the Ballyfarnon branch of Comhaltas in
1969. They also took part in the Scoraiocht competitions. The
shows consisted of music, singing and dancing and lasted between
twenty-eight and thirty-two minutes. Josie McDermott composed
the shows for them and they practised in Tom Harte's house in
Keadue. In 1974. 'The Ballyfarnons' won the Connacht and All-Ireland
finals of Scoraiocht. Mary was delighted to be part of the success.
In July of 1974, the group was recorded for Ceili House for national
radio. Mary quit playing music in 1976 after the death of her
husband. She misses her music and recalls how well, she enjoyed
playing with men like Jack Flannagan and Paddy Kearney, and in
particular, Dave Sheridan, an excellent accordion player. She
also misses the company of her many friends which she made at
the house sessions. Mary thinks there are still plenty of young
musicians, but unfortunately they don't get enough coverage on
the T.V. or Radio. Mary enjoys meeting her friends, in music,
at different sessions from time to time.
Mary Beirne died, peacefully, on March 21st, 2002, at the age
of 74 years
