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.

Cór Cúil Aodha, with Peadar Ó Riada, sang at the concelebrated funeral Mass during which there was also a touching rendition of Ag Críost an Síol by Cork singer, Seán Ó Sé.

Traditional music was played during the ceremonies by a large group including Jimmy Doyle, Matt Cranitch, Connie O’Connell, Sean Keane, Michelle O’Sullivan, Frances O’Connor, Billy Clifford and Aine O’Connell.

A message of condolence was sent by the Bishop of Kerry, Dr Bill Murphy, who was unable to attend.

Homilist Fr Jim Browne, Gneeveguilla, said that Johnny was practically a legend in the area, but he was also a very ordinary person who related to people.

As well as being a brilliant accordeon player, he was a man of humour and someone who made the world a happier place for many people to whom he gave great enjoyment.

Adding a note of levity, Fr Browne also recalled how the music and dancing helped keep people fit along the Cork/Kerry border. “He helped keep them slim, trim and brimful of energy. Otherwise, lots of people around here would be mooching along like mini elephants,” he remarked, drawing laughter from the overflowing congregation.

He said the beauty of Johnny’s music was endless in its fascination and it would still be played 100 years from now in many parts of the world.

In a graveside oration, Terry Moylan, of Na Píiobairí Uileann and a publisher of Johnny’s music, said he was a happy person and steadfast family man. He laughed constantly and made those around him laugh as well.

“People depended on him and he was always there for them. That, surely, was the key to Johnny’s life and his music,” he said.

“Playing was as easy and as natural for him as speaking. But, important as it was, it was still secondary to Johnny’s primary concern and that was people. When Johnny played, he didn’t simply produce tunes, he conjured up the spirits of the people he associated with them.” The chief mourners were his widow, Lil; his son, Sean; and his daughters, Ellen and Maureen.

As a final farewell, a group of musicians gathered in the sunshine round the graveside to play a touching selection of Johnny’s favourite slides and polkas, the old music of Sliabh Luachra that he inherited and passed on.

And, as he would have wished, the music continued for many hours afterwards.