John Reilly (singer)
Encyclopedia
John Reilly, (b. c1926 - d.1969) was a traditional Irish singer
and source of songs most of which he had learned from his parents.
He was a settled Irish Traveller
who lived in Boyle
, Co Roscommon, and is thought have hailed from Carrick-on-Shannon in Co Leitrim. He was a profound influence on many popular folk and traditional singers and was often frequented by song collectors from Ireland such as Tom Munnelly
. At in 1965 he collected the ballad "The Well Below the Valley" (Child #21), it was the first time this song had been collected from Oral tradition in 150 years. Christy Moore in the magazine "Swing 51" (1989) recalled that "British folklorists ... wouldn't accept that it was genuine. They reckoned it was a put-up and they couldn't accept that this song had appeared in the West of Ireland because it had never appeared there before."
In 1972 Munnelly played the tape to Christy Moore who subsequently performed it on Planxty's album "The Well Below The Valley". Planxty also sang "The Raggle Taggle Gypsy". Again the source was Munnelly's recordings of Reilly. Later Sinéad O'Connor was inspired by Munnelly's recording of "Lord Baker". Her own version is based on the singing of Reilly.
Christy wrote of him: "He was a generous and gentle man, totally bemused and very tickled when his singing gained the attention of the folklorists."
During 2004's "Live at Vicar Street" recorded by newly reformed Irish folk act Planxty, Christy Moore mentions hearing him sing for the first time and calls it a "life changing" experience, going on to dedicate the song "As I Roved Out" to his memory. Christy points out that he did not in fact learn the song from him though.
John Reilly died of pneumonia in 1969, aged 44, Tom Munnelly cared for him and brought him safe to hospital for his last days.
I remember John singing at our bonfire outside the garden across the road from the slated house he lived in.
He used to repair bread tins for Egan's bakery. He was a lovely man and I can still hear his unusual voice in my head.PJ
Traditional Irish Singers
Some of the traditional Irish singers alphabetically listed below are known to have sung in both the Irish and English language and if so are listed in both sections below as well known singers of macaronic Irish songs.-Mainly English language songs:...
and source of songs most of which he had learned from his parents.
He was a settled Irish Traveller
Irish Traveller
Irish Travellers are a traditionally nomadic people of ethnic Irish origin, who maintain a separate language and set of traditions. They live predominantly in the Republic of Ireland, the United Kingdom and the United States.-Etymology:...
who lived in Boyle
Boyle, County Roscommon
Boyle is a town in County Roscommon, Ireland. It is located at the foot of the Curlew Mountains near Lough Key in the north of the county. Carrowkeel Megalithic Cemetery, the Drumanone Dolmen and the popular fishing lakes of Lough Arrow and Lough Gara are also close by...
, Co Roscommon, and is thought have hailed from Carrick-on-Shannon in Co Leitrim. He was a profound influence on many popular folk and traditional singers and was often frequented by song collectors from Ireland such as Tom Munnelly
Tom Munnelly
-Early years:Tom Munnelly was born in Rathmines in Dublin, and went to Clogher Road technical college. He took up factory work at the age of 15. At a scout camp he became intetersted in folk songs. To enlarge his own repertoire he acquired a tape recorder. In 1965 Munnelly met an Irish Traveller...
. At in 1965 he collected the ballad "The Well Below the Valley" (Child #21), it was the first time this song had been collected from Oral tradition in 150 years. Christy Moore in the magazine "Swing 51" (1989) recalled that "British folklorists ... wouldn't accept that it was genuine. They reckoned it was a put-up and they couldn't accept that this song had appeared in the West of Ireland because it had never appeared there before."
In 1972 Munnelly played the tape to Christy Moore who subsequently performed it on Planxty's album "The Well Below The Valley". Planxty also sang "The Raggle Taggle Gypsy". Again the source was Munnelly's recordings of Reilly. Later Sinéad O'Connor was inspired by Munnelly's recording of "Lord Baker". Her own version is based on the singing of Reilly.
Christy wrote of him: "He was a generous and gentle man, totally bemused and very tickled when his singing gained the attention of the folklorists."
During 2004's "Live at Vicar Street" recorded by newly reformed Irish folk act Planxty, Christy Moore mentions hearing him sing for the first time and calls it a "life changing" experience, going on to dedicate the song "As I Roved Out" to his memory. Christy points out that he did not in fact learn the song from him though.
John Reilly died of pneumonia in 1969, aged 44, Tom Munnelly cared for him and brought him safe to hospital for his last days.
Discography
- The Bonny Green Tree, John Reilly, Topic.
- Voice of the People, various, Topic :
- O’er His Grave the Grass Grew Green - Tragic Ballads (Topic TSCD 653) - John Reilly sings 'The Well Below the Valley'.
- Songs of the Irish Travellers, various, Pavee Point.
See also
- Traditional Irish SingersTraditional Irish SingersSome of the traditional Irish singers alphabetically listed below are known to have sung in both the Irish and English language and if so are listed in both sections below as well known singers of macaronic Irish songs.-Mainly English language songs:...
- Irish TravellerIrish TravellerIrish Travellers are a traditionally nomadic people of ethnic Irish origin, who maintain a separate language and set of traditions. They live predominantly in the Republic of Ireland, the United Kingdom and the United States.-Etymology:...
- Tom MunnellyTom Munnelly-Early years:Tom Munnelly was born in Rathmines in Dublin, and went to Clogher Road technical college. He took up factory work at the age of 15. At a scout camp he became intetersted in folk songs. To enlarge his own repertoire he acquired a tape recorder. In 1965 Munnelly met an Irish Traveller...
- Christy MooreChristy MooreChristopher Andrew "Christy" Moore is a popular Irish folk singer, songwriter, and guitarist. He is well known as one of the founding members of Planxty and Moving Hearts...
External links
I remember John singing at our bonfire outside the garden across the road from the slated house he lived in.
He used to repair bread tins for Egan's bakery. He was a lovely man and I can still hear his unusual voice in my head.PJ