Brigid Tunney facts for kids

Brigid Tunney (born Gallagher, 1886–1975) was a famous Irish traditional singer. She is most known as the mother of Paddy Tunney. Paddy was a very important person in Irish music. He was also well-known in British folk music from the 1950s. Brigid taught him many songs. She also greatly influenced his singing style.

Brigid's Early Life

Brigid was born in 1886 in Rushen, South Donegal. She was the second child in her family. When she was only eleven, her mother passed away. Brigid then took on the role of looking after her father and her younger brothers and sisters.

Before the First World War, Brigid moved to Glasgow, Scotland. She continued to care for her siblings there. They had moved to Scotland to find work. In 1916, she married Patrick Tunney. He had grown up on a farm near her home in Ireland.

Their first child, Maureen, was born in Glasgow in 1917. They had two more children there. In 1921, after their son Paddy was born, they moved back to Donegal. Later, they settled in Garvery, County Fermanagh. Brigid and Patrick had five more children in Ireland.

Her Amazing Songs and Singing

Brigid learned many of her songs from her family. Her mother, Mary Meehan, taught her a lot. She also learned songs at local house dances and parties. Brigid loved songs that were long and beautiful. She enjoyed melodies that were a bit challenging. Because of this, her collection of songs was full of unique and lovely tunes.

All eight of her children loved and sang their mother's songs. Her son, Paddy, was especially keen. When he was a teenager, he asked her to teach him the words and tunes. He wanted to learn her special way of singing.

Paddy remembered learning the song 'As I Roved Out' from her. This song later became very famous. He said his mother would put aside her embroidery work. Then she would sing with a voice that was like beautiful patterns. She sang this "exquisitely beautiful song" to him for the first time.

BBC Recordings and Her Influence

In 1952, Brigid's son Paddy was contacted by Seán O Boyle and Peter Kennedy. They wanted to record him for the BBC. Paddy convinced them to come to his home area in Fermanagh. Over two days, he gathered many local musicians and singers.

Paddy felt it was most important to get his mother recorded. Many other family members were also recorded. This included Brigid's brother Michael Gallagher. Her sons Joe and Mick were recorded too. Her daughters Annie Lunny and Maureen Melly also sang. Local musicians Philip Breen and Eddie Moore joined in.

The BBC team returned the next year. They recorded more songs from Brigid and her brother. Peter Kennedy later released these recordings. They became an album called The Mountain Streams on the Folk Trax label.

Brigid's singing deeply influenced her son Paddy. Her music also reached the next generation. Her granddaughter, also named Brigid Tunney, says her granny greatly influenced her. You can hear this influence on her 2007 CD, Hand In Hand.

Andy Irvine, a musician from the bands Sweeney's Men and Planxty, once called Brigid Tunney "the best singer I ever heard." He learned two songs, 'Captain Coulston' and 'As I Roved Out', from her singing. The band Steeleye Span also sang 'Captain Coulston'. On their 1971 album Ten Man Mop, they recorded 'The Wee Weaver'. This song was also learned from Brigid. Other singers, like Jack Crawford and Helen Roche, have mentioned her as an influence.

Brigid passed away on September 13, 1975. Her family was with her at their home in Garvery. She is buried with her husband Patrick. Their grave is in the graveyard behind Mulleek Church. It overlooks Lough Erne.

Brigid's Music Albums

• The Mountain Streams Folktrax FTX-163.
• Where the Linnets Sing: Three generations of the Tunney family and their songs (1992) Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann CL44.

Songs She Shared

Brigid learned and sang many songs from her local area. Many of these songs have been recorded by other artists. Here are some of the most notable songs she helped keep alive:

• "As I Roved Out"
• "The Mountain Streams Where the Moorcocks Crow"
• "Easter Snow"
• "Moorlough Mary"
• "Craigie Hill"
• "Lough Erne Shore"
• "The Green Fields of Canada"
• "Captain Coulston"
• "Sheila Nee Iyer"
• "The Pride of Glencoe"
• "The Wee Weaver"
• "My Charming Buachaill Rua"