Renowned trad musician Séamus Begley dies age 73
Séamus Begley. Picture: Don MacMonagle
President Michael D Higgins has led the tributes to renowned musician Séamus Begley following the news that he has passed away aged 73.
From Ballydavid, near Dingle, Co Kerry, his father was the esteemed accordionist Bhreandáin Bheaglaoich and Begley had performed since he was a teenager.
In 2015, he told the Irish Examiner: “There was nine in the family. We sang all the time. In the evening, after milking the cows, there would be a huge sing-song. We also owned a dance-hall. The incentive was that if you learned a couple of tunes you’d to play at the céilí. I started when I was 13. It was fantastic.”
His love of music has also been passed down to recent generations of the Begley clan, with Seamus’s children and grandchildren also playing various instruments, while his nephew Cormac is a renowned concertina player.
Begley is widely regarded as one the country's finest accordion players and his fine, nuanced crooning style is known around the world.
Begley’s recordings included two albums with his sister Máire, and the acclaimed Meitheal album in 1992 with Australian guitarist Steve Cooney. He also enjoyed a long an fruitful collaboration with Macroom guitarist Jim Murray that would see the duo tour from Clonakilty to Canberra.
People have been paying tribute to 'The Bold Kerryman' following the news of his death.
President Higgins said: "Sabina and I had the pleasure of hosting Séamus for performances in Áras an Uachtaráin, including at the State dinner held in honour of their Majesties, the King and Queen of the Netherlands in June 2019, on which occasion he was accompanied on vocals by his daughter Méabh and on guitar by Donogh Hennessy.
"As with all those who knew Séamus, we will remember him for his talent, his warmth and his sense of fun, that lasting impression which he left on all those who he met. He will be deeply missed."
Waterboys frontman Mike Scott called him the finest of all Irish musicians adding that Begley was perhaps the most beautiful singer he had ever heard.
"He was a friend, a king and a god. Travel on well, great spirit," Scott wrote on Twitter.
William Hammond, director of Cork Folk Festival, described Begley as a king of the box players. ”In the pantheon of accordion players he was up there with the likes of Joe Burke, Tony McMahon, Johnny O’Leary and Joe Cooley. His untimely death will leave a great void in Irish traditional music. We will miss his incredible accordion playing, his beautiful rendition of traditional and popular songs and the fun you had when you were in his company.”
Hammond recalled one of Begley’s many visits to Cork for a set dancing event at the Sraid Bhaile venue in the Grand Parade Hotel around 1990.
“Seamus knew every polka and slide inside out; he knew when to change tune and key to produce incredible energy. The rhythm provided by Steve Cooney on guitar would enhance the musical experience and the dances would be called by Timmy the Brit. When the West Kerry Set was called there was always a surge on to the floor - this was Seamus’s local set and it was always given special attention and danced with great joy and abandonment.”
John Kelly, broadcaster, said: “This morning we mourn the loss of a truly magnificent musician and singer. Whether on stage or at home in Kerry, something life-affirming and beautiful always happened when Séamus was in the room. Comhbhrón ó chroí do mhuintir Uí Bheaglaoich uilig.”
