Tributes pour in from Irish traditional music community following death of Con Herbert

Con (Neilus) Herbert was a founder of Craobh Chrónáin Comhaltas in Freemount, North Cork

Tributes poured in from the Irish traditional music community for Con Herbert, following his death. File picture

The unexpected death of Con (Neilus) Herbert has prompted an outpouring of grief in Limerick, Cork, and beyond, at the loss of “an exceptional accordion and concertina player and an inspirational teacher whose influence can be heard in the music of generations of musicians”.

Tributes poured in from the Irish traditional music community for the West Limerick native, a founder member of two branches of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann.

Mr Herbert, who won a Limerick senior county hurling medal in 1980 with Killeedy, was a driving force behind the parish’s Cluain Chréadhail Comhaltas and the establishment in 2022 of Ashford’s Tigh Cheoil.

He was a founder of Craobh Chrónáin Comhaltas in Freemount, North Cork, where he taught at its national school from 1979, retiring as principal in 2011.

“He had that rare gift of making music feel alive. He didn’t simply teach notes and tunes; he passed on tradition, history, values, and a deep love for our culture,” said Tim Collins of the Kilfenora Céilí Band, describing Mr Herbert as his ‘mentor’.

"Con devoted his life to promoting Irish culture, traditional music, the Irish language, and Gaelic games. He understood that these were not separate pursuits but strands of the same rich tapestry that gives meaning to community and identity.” 

Though honoured with awards, “his work was never about recognition or applause”, said Mr Collins. 

“It was about ensuring that what he loved would continue to flourish long after he was gone.” 

Margaret Kiely, Cork Comhaltas cathaoirleach and Craobh Chrónáin leas-chathaoirleach, said Mr Herbert laid the foundations for nurturing traditional music in Freemount’s classrooms. 

“He ensured that every child in the school learned an instrument,” she said. 

The Allow Céilí Band with Con Herbert (first on left). File picture: John Carroll

“The school took part in Scór, Slógadh, and Readóirí; everything at first was school-based. This led directly to the founding of CCÉ Craobh Chrónáin over 40 years ago.

“Con had links to both the Kilfenora and the Tulla and was keen to have something similar in Freemount,” inspiring the formation in 2003 of the Allow Céilí Band, which in 2007 became Cork’s first winners of the senior All-Ireland céilí band title.

Band member John Carroll added: “Con had great vision and a knack for putting people together and I will be eternally grateful for his asking me to join the Allow. It changed the trajectory of my life.” 

He described their 2007 success as “one of [Con’s] proudest moments” but said the loss of their fiddle player Geraldine O’Callaghan, Mr Herbert’s former pupil, affected him deeply. 

“The sudden death of Geraldine O’Callaghan last October was a huge blow to Con and the Allow. We never thought then that in the year ahead, Con would also leave us.” 

Hundreds paid musical tribute to Mr Herbert at Ashford’s Tigh Cheoil before his funeral at St Ita’s Church, where, among those performing, was ex-pupil Elle Marie O’Dwyer, singing Mr Herbert’s own composition, ‘Where the Allow Waters Flow’.

Mr Herbert is survived by nieces, nephews, grand- and great-grandnieces and nephews, and a vast family in music.