Mayo Musicians and Music : John Kelly
John Kelly
John Kelly is from Bekan, between Claremorris and Ballyhaunis and his singing was influenced by his father and uncle. When he was growing up, the Bekan area was noted for music and song. He has passed on the singing gift to his own family, one of whom, Anne Kelly-Skelton is a particularly fine exponent of unaccompanied singing. The ballad from which this excerpt is taken was written in honour of P.W. Nally, (1856-1891) from Balla. Nally was a prominent member of the Fenians, the I.R.B. and an activist in the Land League. The Nally Stand in Croke Park is named after him.
The ballad of P.W. Nally
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'The ballad of P.W. Nally is taken from the album "Songs of past and present 1", catalogue number Dreoilin 003 and appears here courtesy of Joe Byrne, Dreoilin .