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Sharon Shannon laments Donegal
"musical hero"
09.08.18
TRADITIONAL musicisn
Sharon Shannon has paid a remarkably emotional
tribute to her "all time musical hero" Tommy Peoples
who has died at the age of 70.
The accordion player (50), herself considered one of
Ireland's great music prodigies, described the
acclaimed Donegal fiddle player and composer as her
"idol from a very young age".
"His music was and will always be absolutely out of
this world. To my ears, there is an unexplained
melancholy and raw emotion in his music that is
incredibly beautiful and absolutely heart-breaking,”
said the button-key box player.
"Tommy's music always had me absolutely transfixed
and could bring tears to my eyes even when he was
playing fast reels at ninety miles an hour,” she
added in a Facebook post. |
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Tommy Peoples. |
She went on to describe
the influential late fiddler as "a composer of the
most beautiful and most perfect tunes I ever heard".
She said he was "a true legend" who gave people a
"glimpse of heaven" through his tunes.
Tommy Peoples was born in St Johnston, east Donegal,
in 1948. He moved to Dublin in 1965 where he
performed solo as well as with traditional bands
including The Bothy Band and The Green Linnet Ceili
Band. He also worked for a time as a garda.
He later lived in Co Clare for over 30 years and
also played with that county's native Kilfenora
Ceili Band.
President Michael D. Higgins described the
award-winning late musician as "a friend" who would
be greatly missed.
He was laid to rest at Drumcliffe Cemetery, Ennis,
on Tuesday following requiem mass at Ennis Cathedral. |
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