Mayo Musicians and Music : Joe Byrne
Joe Byrne
Joe Byrne from Aghamore is one of the best known figures on the traditional music scene in Mayo, both as a musician and a broadcaster. A notable flute player he has graced traditional sessions for many years and more recently, has become one of the most distinctive voices on Mid-West Radio through his traditional music programme broadcast on Saturday nights. His knowledge and love of all aspects of Irish culture - music, language and literature - shine through his presentations and his facility to switch effortlessly between Irish and English would make Micheál Ó Muircheartaigh envious. A teacher by profession, he is very much involved in the local community particularly through his work on the historical magazine Glor Achadh Mor, with the Kenny/Naughton school which commemorates the literary works of Bill Naughtona and P.D. Kenny and the collecting of songs and music from the East Mayo area. Some of the material collected has been issued in a series of cassettes and booklets. Examples are included here featuring Joe himself, John and Kevin McHugh and John Kelly.
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