Donegal fiddle "legend" laid to rest in stormy Glencolumbkille
By Noel Slevin
James Byrne would have been well used to the gale force winds which swept his beloved Gaeltacht village of Glencolumbkille as his mortal remains were laid to rest there on Monday because he was born and reared in one of the most windswept areas of the Glen, Meenacross, where he learned most of his vast repertoire of fiddle tunes.
However, for most “inlanders” who thronged to Glencolumbkille to lay his mortal remains to rest in this normally tranquil setting, the gales which sent thirty foot waves crashing against the rocks, saw even the hardiest of souls rush for the comfort of the nearest hostelry once the obisques had been completed.
James Byrne, undoubtedly the doyen of fiddle players in Donegal has passed away suddenly on Saturday, his body having been found on the laneway to his rural home after returning from a seisiun of music in the Highlands Hotel in Glenties. When news of his untimely death filtered out on Saturday, many tears were shed for this true gentleman of music who did not have an enemy in the world.
That his death was so sudden and came when he seemed to be so full of life made it doubly hard to accept, particularly for his partner in life, Connie, and their family and friends.
James Byrne’s wake and funeral was one of the largest ever seen in the West Donegal Gaeltacht with people, particularly musicians, travelling from all corners of Ireland, north and south, to be present.
One musician talked of leaving Kerry at 3 am that morning while the legendary box player, Joe Burke, left Galway, along with wife, Anne Conroy, about 5 am. This meant nothing to the many musicians who came from long distances to pay their last respects to a man described as a legend in his own lifetime and a true gentleman of music into the bargain.
Anyone who knew James Byrne or ever visited his humble home at Meenacross was always assured of a unique Glen welcome and a cup of tea and a tune on the fiddle before being sent on their way. He was a fund of tradition, of genuine stories of his area and had a vast repertoire of tunes, all played in the unique Donegal style and passed on with a generosity of heart which was typical of the man.
The funeral cortege from his home to the local Chapel of St. Columba’s was one of the largest ever seen in the parish. Local children, his pupils, played their fiddles in the windswept valley as his remains set off on their last journey to the Church.
The Requiem Mass was celebrated by Rev. Fr. Seamus Gallagher, C.C. Leitirmacaward and his co-celebrants were Rev. Fr. Daniel McBrearty, C.C. Glencolumbkille and Father Paddy Molloy of the Millhill Fathers, a native of the area.
In his homily, Fr. Gallagher described James Byrne as “ a unique individual” and said they were all there that day to give back to God one of the greatest gifts that God had given to the Glencolumbkille area. He described James as “the Mahatma of Glencolumbikille”, a gifted soul, a good friend to all, a loving father, a good neighbour and a good companion in life to his partner Connie. He said Connie in turn had shaped James from “ a rough diamond, into a polished gem”. He said James was man of the Glen, a man of music, culture and tradition who was now lost to them but his music would live on in the younger generations to whom he had passed on his unique gifts freely and with typical Donegal generosity.
Margaret McGinley, a neighbour of James from Meenacross, speaking in Irish, gave a rundown of his life and concluded by stating, “James Byrne was an extraordinary person who was happy living a simple life”.
Upwards of fifty musicians, led by local player, Mick Brown, and East Donegal fiddler, Martin McGinley, along with many visiting musicians, played in the Church during the Mass.
Solos were by All-Ireland singing champion, Rita Gallagher from Frosses; Dermott Byrne of “Altan” and the legendary fiddler, Tommy Peoples from St. Johnston.
Fiddle music at the graveside was by Danny O’Donnell, USA and Donegal, one of James’s close friends.
During the Mass the gifts which were brought to the alter included James beloved fiddle and the bicycle which he used to get out and about on daily around the area; turf and potatoes; heather, a St. Brigid’s cross and a pictorial record him during various stages of his life. They were brought to the altar by Connie and the family.
Many tributes have been paid to James Byrne since his death on Saturday. Among them was one from Mary Cloake, Director of the Arts Council who said, “James’s technique and style of playing were exceptional and his death is a great loss. James embodied the values of his art, passing music and culture on to future generations, and inspired many players during his life”.
Tommy Peoples said, "The news of James' s sudden death caused shock, then sadness, then loving memories in all who heard. James is irreplaceable in his immediate and beautiful family of Connie, Merle, Aisling, Sarah and Shauna. He is also irreplaceable in the Glencolumbcille family where he enhanced even that beautiful place; in the Irish music family where his stature and gifts as musician and person he carried and shared gracefully; in the family of Ireland, where his love of her native language, her music, and her helpful ways he expressed freely. The memories are good, the sorrow is great. Everyone's thoughts and wishes are with the family”.
James is survived by his partner, Connie and by daughters, Sarah, Merle, Shauna and Aisling to whom sincere sympathy is extended.
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Weather for Donegal
Saturday 04 February 2012
Today
Heavy rain
Temperature: 3 C to 10 C
Wind Speed: 28 mph
Wind direction: South
Tomorrow
Light rain
Temperature: 6 C to 7 C
Wind Speed: 12 mph
Wind direction: South west
