Traditional music is part of who we are – we must support it

Traditional music is part of who we are – we must support it

27 May 2015

A FORMER Downpatrick businessman has added a new string to his bow and is heading to Scotland this weekend to take part in a prestigious folk festival.

Since retiring from his Market Street shoe shop last year, Patrick Cassidy has concentrated on his lifelong passion and interest in music and he has even finding time to record his own CD.

A member of a musical family, Patrick and his brothers and sisters were taught piano from an early age and would regularly entertain visitors to the family home. Like his siblings, Patrick also learnt to play other instruments including the French horn and clarinet.

Through his formative years, music was placed on the back burner as Patrick concentrated on sport, learning languages, business and travel. Three years ago, his passion for music was reignited after coming across the Dublin Trad Festival while browsing the internet. It was then off to the famous Temple Bar in the Irish capital where he watched Tommy Sands performing.

Patrick then visited the 1,000 year-old Christ Church Cathedral where the Dubliners were playing their 50th anniversary concert. Sitting with a small group of people who turned up to watch the pre-concert rehearsal, Patrick was engulfed by the atmosphere and says it is something he will never forget. He also managed to grab a quick chat with Dubliners’ Barney McKenna and John Sheehan.

In 2013, Patrick was back in Dublin for the festival and after attending a Sharon Shannon concert, the following day in Bloom’s Hotel he overheard a small group of musicians chatting informally. One person who caught his attention right away was world famous flute and whistle player Joanie Madden.

“An instant friendship developed and when I returned home I started to attend a number of local music sessions and while I played the tin whistle as a child, I was really starting again from scratch,” explained Patrick. 

“I worked very hard at what was now my musical passion and ended up playing pieces for Brian Warfield (Wolf Tones), John Sheehan (Dubliners), Joanie Madden, The Freil Sisters, Luka Bloom, Danny Meehan, the Campbell Brothers and many others.”

Patrick was so committed to his new passion that her furthered his music experience by regularly attending the Johnny Doherty music festival in Donegal and the Cup of Tae festival in Ardara.

Having accumulated a wealth of musical experience, the Downpatrick man started attending sessions in his home town and neighbouring Crossgar, Newcastle, Castlewellan and further afield in Warrenpoint, Rostrevor, Belfast, Killarney and other venues in Armagh, Louth and Monaghan.

Patrick is also keen that folk and traditional music enjoys a revival in the Downpatrick area, highlighting the continuing success of the genre in Castlewellan.

“When Downpatrick Folk Club closed a number of years ago it left a vacuum. Traditional music is a part of who we are. I believe it is something that should be supported and promoted and taken on by the next generation and I hope it will have the backing of Newry, Mourne and Down Council in whatever way possible,” he continued. “I believe the secret to success is local support which must begin at grassroots level.”

Another former Downpatrick businessman, Sean Donnelly, one of Ireland’s leading singer songwriters, has been supporting Patrick, and their conversations have paved the way for Patrick to think about recording his own CD.

He has now achieved his goal with help from his brother James who is an expert sound engineer and the new CD, entitled The Whistle Sound, is on sale at the St Patrick Centre in Downpatrick.

“I chose the name because a lot of my musical inspiration comes from my visits to Glencolmcille in west Donegal, my heaven on earth. I am delighted with the CD and wish to thank a number of people who made it possible. In addition to my brother James I am grateful to percussionist Aidan Milligan from Ardglass, Steve Fowley, Ciaran Duffy and Sean Donnelly,” said Patrick.

This weekend, Patrick and Aidan are off to play at the Portsoy International Folk Festival and it is a gig they are really looking forward to. They perform under Na Bo HA LEE (For the Boys) and have already performed at a number of venues.

Patrick added: “Aidan and I are honoured to be playing at the Portsoy festival this weekend which features a number of headline groups and if anyone would like us to play at any events ranging corporate functions to pre-wedding parties, parties or funerals, we can be contacted via our Facebook page.”