Tributes paid to balladeer McMahon

Tributes were paid yesterday to one of the country’s best known balladeers Robbie McMahon who helped popularise the Irish immigrant ballad, Spancil Hill.

The 86-year-old died at Ennis General Hospital after a short illness.

County mayor Cllr Pat Daly described Mr McMahon as “a true icon of Irish folk culture and one of the most celebrated of Clare men”. He acknowledged Mr McMahon’s role in preserving traditional songs and for creating new ballads through the years.