Guth & Tuairim, Márta 1980

C'n the ::'.!.tr .Tsm1ary John Doherty, Tin.sr.:ith and :::;:r:r of the fi ddle plc.yus djed 11-t B&llyshannon. Johr, '.•as born ir; Ardara in 1894, one of four sons o~ Sirnon Doherty also a tinsrr.ith end fi.ddler. John was known to tell on rare occasions that his ~ath€!" 1 s far:ily oririnlited ir.. weed ore or the Ro~ses from where they were evicted for ownership of a greyhound which was illegal for Catholics under the peP~l laws. It 1 s not known when he took up the art of the fiddle but it is probable that his father's influence motivated him at an early age to both the fiddle and the tin. In an interview a few years ago for the "Irish Times" he ~azed a lady journalist by telling her the story of how one day when he was a bout two years old he stood up in his cot and took the fiddle off the wall and that was his introduction to music - a story which illustrates the harrrJess droll, wit and charm of the man. John ..·as b-.sed for most of his life in Glenfin from which he walked to Dooch~<ry and Stranorlar, Carrick and Ardara, the Cro~ghs, the Glens of Glenties and down to the Rosses. The road was his platform and the h-.rvest field in summer or the Cottage Kitchen in Winter was his concert hall. Ee made and mended tins, spun his tall tales and played his unique music wherever he went. A story which he told on occasions was how he was walking the rolld late one moonlit night and while sitting down to rest by the roadside. heard from the field below the sweetest music that ever reached his years. The soothing effect of this music was such that he fell asleep and when he awoke some hours later he reached for his fiddle and played the tune. John for many years regarded his music as a pastim~ and was shy of publicity. In later years however his trade of tinsmith was less in demand and he turned gradually - to the delight 'of his audience, to his music as a trade. He made a record for Cod.altas Ceolt6iri Eireann in 1974 and in 1978 a fil!r of his cr11 ft and artistic genius delighted people all over the world. Gael Linn issued an L.P. of his music in 1979. John Dor1erty lived the last years of his life in Carrick near GlencolJr,cille where he, was loved and respected. To •11 who ever met him he ~as the last true gentleman of the road. A man who cared little for·land or houses but who was welcome in all houses. A man who in more difficult times brought the joyous spell of his music into fi~lds and country kitchens. ¥.ay God be good to him for he used both his craft and his art in the service of his neighbour and he gave his wealth of talent to rich •nd poor alike. He now lies at rest in Glenfin by the river where it flows smooth and deep- John Doherty "King of the Fiddlers". P. G. Gu{onn muid biseach ghasta ar an Doctuir Delap, Maire Bean Mhic Niallais agus ar mhuintear eile uilig a bhi san droch thaisme bothair i Muineachan le gairid. Dublin Drama Festival Winners vith their one-act play "Ha Poitseair!" in 1965. Seated - (1. to r.) Tom Walsh, ? 1 Seamus McGinley. Standing,- Patrick Carr , N.T., and Eamonn Doohan, H.T. - ON TOUR: Planxty appear in the Butt Hall, Ballybofey on Wednesday l9th . During their Irish tour they will record a new live 16 track album. If you miss them on tour, not to worry as they will be joining Christy Moore on his new R.TE 2 series . For rock fans confirmation that Thin Lizzy will be appearing in the Astoria, c Bundoran on Thursday Jrd April in Concert. ~ Tickets will sell at £5 each and are available &; from Fitzgerald Music Shops in Bimdoran and = Letterkenny. Phil Lynotts new album 'Solo in ~ Soho' issued soon. CRAZY WORLD: Rather _odd that the Government will m= ~ back the 'Sense of Ireland' festival in London to the tune of half a million pounds. Yet the song that will represent Ireland in the 1980 ., & <1 et OQ m . Eurovision Song Contest most certainly lacks any Irish flavour,.and a global audience of 600 million will confirm this. Sadly the only Irish they seem to appreciate in RTE's Light Entertainment Department, is about ten years old, and comes in a bottle. The Boomtown Rats, a true sense of Ireland, are banned from their native city, by outdated laws that welcome Abba, Queen, etc. but not our own superstars. Not a 'Sense of Ireland, but a' sense of shame'. ROCK ON: Stiff Little Fingers currently high in the British charts with 'At the Edge', have issued their long awaited new album 'Nobody's Hero' on the Chrysalis label. Sleeve notes feature a letter to the band some years ago, saying Chrysalis were not interested in their talents. "Strike" who backed the Boomtown Rats on their Belfast venues, have issued a superb debut single 'Radio Song' composed • by group vocalist Noel Refferty, and now issued ~ on the Shock Rock label. ~ END TO CHARTS : For the fourth time Radio Telefis .c: 0 gp 15 ' Eireann were forced to remove 1 Ireland 1 s Top 30 1 from ~ the air. The reason was simple, certain showband · ~ ~ managers were hyping the charts, by buying their own ~ ~ recordings, so that their beloved has-beens can enjoy 2 ·~ unfair chart status with the 'dying mums, dads, etc. 'E llD songs'. But with an added ten percent Excise Duty, ~ .~ and higher vinyl price from £500 to £540 a ton, it ~ ~ will mean that unless Irish artists are willing to ~ ~ record original material, and not this revival or .c: ~ 00 cover version craze, there will be no need for an ~ =• • .,... Irish chart, as with high prices no one w.ill buy 5~ ~ second rate material. Strange how recorda not yet g :>.r-i llD issued are not included in Release Top 10 on RTE ~- ~ c ; Radio 2 each Friday. = o.c:o .. <..< ~ t> LOCAL NEWS: Breakaway Rascal members re-emerge ,; ] tl :5 under the name Cheeky with Majella Murphy on ~ .o r-i .. vocals. After several months Aileach have ~ .~~ ~ decided to reform, and will have a tour of ·.-<..., Switzerland in September next . Margo has issued ~ P. ~ M t1 a a another album of her previous hits on the budget ~ ~ ~ ~ 'Startime' series . Till next month, i ·ts bye. "MAESTRO".