Tag Archives: Concertina

Kitty Hayes

Kitty Hayes

Kitty Hayes (born Smith) was an Irish concertina player from Fahanlunaghta, not far from Lahinch, in West Clare.  Her father Peter was also a concertina player, and played in nearby Miltown Malbay. She married flute and whistle player Josie Hayes, who played with the Laichtín Naofa Céilí Band. Music took a back seat as she raised 7 children, and nursed her father then her husband.

She recorded two albums, A touch of Clare and They’ll be Good Yet (with Peter Laban). After her death, Kitty’s daughter, Angela Connaughton produced a CD to remember Kitty and to once more celebrate her music : Kitty Hayes Remembered.  The music on the CD was taken from concerts at the Masters of Tradition in Bantry House which took place in August 2007 and the Kitty Hayes Tribute concert in Glór in Ennis in november 2007.

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Cruinniu – hornpipe & 2 reels

The group Cruinniu playing at the Cooley/Collins festival, with 3 tunes : the Boys of Bluehill and 2 reels. With Jack Talty (keyboard), Ann Marie Grogan (flute), Caitlíin Nic Gabhann (concertina), Siobhán O’Donnell (bodhrán and vocals), Damien O’Reilly (accordion) and Áine Bird (fiddle).

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Mrs. Crotty (Concertina)

Mrs Crotty, Concertina

Elizabeth Crotty, better known as Mrs. Crotty, was a famous concertina player from Kilrush, County Clare.

She was born in 1885 in Cooraclare in West Clare and grew up in a home that was filled with music. Her mother played the fiddle and her sister Maggie played the concertina; they played together for house dances and American Wakes.

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