Dan Cleary: The Offaly Musician Who Left a Lasting Legacy
By Ursula Harte
Early Life
Let’s start at the beginning. Dan Cleary was born in Ballinamere, 3 miles outside Tullamore, Co. Offaly in 1918. World War One had ended, so times were hard and life was not easy.
Dan’s father Patrick passed away (from the Spanish flu) at the age of 69 years, six months before Dan was born. Dan’s mother, Mary, brought Dan up on her own, which was very difficult back then, with no social welfare, not like today. She worked hard to make ends meet and provide for his 10 siblings.
Love Of Music
In 1930, at the age of 12 years, Dan bought his first fiddle and bow in a pawnbroker’s shop in Tullamore for 15 shillings. It was this transaction that sowed a deep, burning love of traditional Irish music.
Dan took his first lesson on the fiddle from a local man, Joe Wyer, and quickly progressed.
Dan taught himself how to read music and could also learn and play tunes by ear. Dan’s first gig was at the age of 14 years, playing at John Gaffey’s mum and dad’s wedding at the Derrys in Rahan.
Dan once said, ‘Playing music by ear can put a real feel into the music which could be absent and may be missing today.’
At the age of 17 years, Dan played in his first band, the St Carthage Ceili Band from Rahan. At the age of 20 years, Dan went to play with the St Columcille Ceili Band in Durrow.
The advent of the Second World War broke up the band; Dan joined the Irish Army. In 1939, Dan was appointed Sergeant Transport Mechanic. He was a member of the O.N.E. Also, while in the army, Dan found among his comrades a number of other Irish traditional music lovers. They played together when they could. When the war ended, many took the boat to England, but Dan decided to stay.
Soon after the war, at the age of 28, Dan travelled to Dublin every Saturday evening to take Uilleann pipe lessons from Leo Rowsome for one pound an hour.
Ballinamere Ceili Band
In 1947, Dan set up his own band, the Ballinamere Ceili Band. Rehearsals were held at Dan’s home in Ballinamere.
They toured the length and breadth of the country, playing 4-5 nights a week.
Dan collected and dropped home each member of the band within a 25-mile radius in his Volkswagen bus. He was first out and last home. Work the next day was never missed.
No one ever complained, even though the logistics of travelling for the band were sometimes tiring because of the long journeys, frosty weather, breakdowns, lack of sleep due to late nights and early rises for work the next morning and trying to look after a young family.
They were known as the Touring Band of Leinster. At that time one must remember playing Irish music was neither profitable (9-10 men/women in the band); the rewards were not always financially viable – £1 a night each. It was the love of the music that was all that mattered, and playing with others.
The band also toured England. They cut 2 albums which went on sale in Ireland and abroad as far away as America and Australia.
The band played on Radio Éireann Ceili House in 1957, entertaining the Irish nation every Saturday night for ten years. Back then in the 1950s, the bands had to be broadcasting bands which had to go through stiff performances before they were accepted on air, not like today.
In Ireland in the late 1940s, Irish music was declining, as no young musicians were coming through. As Dan was a member of the Piper’s Club in Dublin, he put it to them as a suggestion to open up their organisation to other instrument players; they listened but decided to set up a new organisation instead.
This new organisation would become known later as Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann.
Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann
Let’s go back to 1949. “Dan saw an advertisement in the Offaly Independent” inserted by Jim Seery (then secretary of the Pipers Club) inviting anyone with an interest in furthering Irish traditional music to attend a meeting in St Mary’s Hall in Mullingar. Dan travelled to Mullingar with his nephew Peter Kilroe to attend this meeting. The revival of the playing of the Uilleann pipes and harp was the main item down for discussion, but it had far more reaching effects than that.
Meetings were held after that, until 1951, when Cumann Ceoltóirí na hEireann was formed. It was decided to have a Fleadh-Whit Sunday weekend in June in 1951. Dan’s band, the Ballinamere Ceilidhe Band, played at the Opening Ceremony to celebrate its foundation at this first Fleadh. The inaugural meeting was held that same year in October. Dan, a founder member, was present.
In 1952, Cumann Ceoltóirí na hEireann had to change its name (due to restrictions laid down by the Federation of Irish Musicians) to Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann as it is known today. In order for the new name change to be legally binding, all founder members of the organisation had to be present for all their signatures, which took place on the 30th March in Thomas St, Dublin, in 1952.
Dan set its wheels in motion on 7th June 1952 by setting up the first 3 branches of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann in his own county of Offaly, Tullamore, Rahan and Ballinagar. This was one of the stipulations as a founder member of Comhaltas.
Dan was the first to teach Irish music classes in Offaly – Rahan, Tullamore, Ballinagar, Clara, Cloghan, Tubber, Ballycommon, Ferbane, Banagher and Moate Co. Westmeath – even at a time when there was no payment involved. He stuck with it because of his love for the Irish music. He was also instrumental in setting up other branches in his own county and outside it – Clara, Cloghan, Tubber, Ferbane, Killeigh and Moate….
Dan playing the Uilleann pipes
Dan’s accolades
In 1951, Dan won 1st place at an Oireachtas Senior fiddle competition held that year.
In 1952, at the Monaghan Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann, Dan tied first place with Bobby Casey on the Senior Fiddle All-Ireland title; both contestants equal marks for the first time at an All-Ireland Fleadh. There was a dilemma. A recall was decided upon for Cead Duais (first prize); Bobby takes first place, and Dan takes second place.
On the 8th May 1954, Dan was entered for the Fr Mattew Feis in Dublin through the Pipers Club by Jim Seery. Dan came 1st in both the Senior Uilleann pipes and Senior Fiddle competitions, winning the William Rowsome Cup. Celebrations were held at the Pipers Club with presentations on the Sunday night. This was a very memorable weekend for Dan.
In 1955, at the Loughrea Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann, Dan wins his 1st Senior All-Ireland title on the Uilleann pipes.
In 1956, at the Ennis Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann, Dan takes 1st place again on the Senior Uilleann pipes All-Ireland title.
Dan and two members of his band won the Trio All-Ireland title.
The same year, 1956, the Ballinamere Ceilidhe Band take 1st place at an Oireachtas competition in Nenagh, Co. Tipperary.
In 1957 was the year that marked a historical pinnacle for Dan Cleary at the Dungarvan Fleadh Cheoil. Dan proves himself to be a master on the Uilleann pipes – winning his 3rd All-Ireland in a row. – 1955, 56 and 1957.
Dan received 2nd place in the Senior All-Ireland fiddle competition a second time.
Dan and Peter Kilroe win the All-Ireland. Duet title.
Dan, Peter and Mick Mullins both members of the Ballinamere Ceilidhe Band, win the All-Ireland Senior Trio title a second time.
Dan’s pupil, Tom Nolan, receives 1st place in the Junior All-Ireland title on the Uilleann pipes.
Dan’s pupil Michael Lynam receives 2nd place in the Junior All-Ireland accordion competition.
Mick Mullins, a member of the Ballinamere Ceilidhe Band, wins 1st place in the Senior All-Ireland Button Accordion title.
It was a wonderful achievement for Dan and his band and Offaly C.C.E., bringing back 10 All-Ireland medals to his hometown Tullamore. At the Tullamore Courthouse, Offaly C.C.E. celebrated with all the prize winners their wonderful achievements. Leo Rowsome, Dan’s teacher, was there as a guest artist, set up by Dan with the Ballinamere Ceilidhe Band. Leo’s son, Leon, played in the band as a piano player.
In 1977, 78 and 82, Dan won 3 more All-Ireland medals with the Longridge Ceili Band as a fiddle player.
Dan over the years and his band won many more prizes and awards than I can mention.
In 1961, on the Mitchellstown Programme on R.T.E. Radio 1, the people of Ireland were asked to send in their most favourite Ceili band. The Ballinamere Ceilidhe Band was selected. There was an audition at the Eamonn Andrew’s Studio, Dublin. The Richard Fitzgerald Ceili Band came 1st, and Dan’s band got 2nd place. Another memorable time.
“To Dan they were reminders of great times to look back on with no regrets.”
In 1966, R.T.E. contacted Dan to record the traditional Irish music in Co. Offaly, as it had flourished there since the foundation of Comhaltas in 1951. This took place at Scoil Mhuire School in Tullamore to be released by R.T.E. in 2016 as part of their archive recordings.
In 1983, another memorable moment for Dan: a young girl, Mary Minnock, won 1st prize at a Duchess Essay competition based on Dan Cleary’s music life run by the Sean Tracey Branch of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann in association with the Ard Comhairle of C.C.E. The Duchas project has played a very important role in promoting research into the local customs and traditions and the people who practise them.
Mary’s essay concerned Dan’s life, his music career, especially Dan being a founder member of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann in 1951, and his band the Ballinamere Ceilidhe Band, setting up the C.C.E. branches in 1952, and promoting Irish music over the years. Mary’s essay was seen as a vital and important contribution in depicting the life of a dedicated musician who had an abiding love for Irish music.
In 1999, Dan’s last interview was on R.T.E. radio1 on Ceili House with Kieran Hanrahan along with Rahan Comhaltas. It was a wonderful night of Irish music, song and dance.
Dan composed many tunes! The most famous one known all over the world is the Trip to Durrow (Co. Offaly). Tullamore Harbour jig, Ballinamere reels and jig, Ballinamere March, Ballycowan Castle jig, Barnalica stone, Tullamore lassies and many more.
Dan also composed a poem about Tullamore, called Tullamore Harbour.
Dan over the years has taught hundreds of pupils in his home in Ballinamere, teaching classes, composing tunes, judicating, fixing and repairing instruments for others, and also preparing competitors for competitions, and many have succeeded in becoming All-Ireland champions. A lot of musicians today, who teach music, can trace their origins back to Dan Cleary.
Conclusion
To conclude, Dan’s important advice to his pupils was “Practice makes perfect” and to pass on this joy of playing Irish music onto others, just like he had done.
The promotion of the Irish music itself was Dan’s sole focus. Prizes and publicity of himself were secondary. It was always about the MUSIC.
Dan continued to play music three weeks up to his passing in June 2004.
Thank you to Ursula Harte for this fascinating write-up and photographs, shared with Offaly Daily and our readers.
