Musicians gather to pay final tribute to Johnny O’Leary

A MUCH-LOVED traditional musician who brought joy to many people during his long life was laid to rest in his beloved Sliabh Luachra, yesterday.

Many leading figures attended the funeral of Johnny O’Leary, aged 80, in Gneeveguilla, Co Kerry. It was an occasion marked by both tears and smiles, for the famed accordeonist was also a celebrated wit and yarn-spinner.

Renowned broadcaster Ciarán MacMathúna, who first recorded Johnny almost 50 years ago, was among the mourners as were Seán Keane of the Chieftains, and musicians Joe Burke, Jackie Daly, Tony McMahon, Peter Browne, Des Geraghty, Paddy Glackin, the Begley brothers and others. Also bidding farewell were a host of Sliabh Luachra musicians, too numerous to mention.