Josie McDermott facts for kids

Josie McDermott (born 1925, died 1992) was a famous Irish musician. He played the flute and tin whistle. He also wrote music and sang.

About Josie McDermott

Josie lived his whole life in a place called Coolmeen. It's in County Sligo, near Ballyfarnon in County Roscommon. His mother loved music too. She sang and played the concertina.

Josie went to local house dances, which are like parties with traditional music. A fiddler named James Flynn taught him music. Josie traveled around, playing his whistle, fife, and flute at many music sessions and dances.

While traditional music was his main love, Josie enjoyed other types of music too. When he was young, he sang in a modern band. Later, he played saxophone and trumpet in different groups. He also liked country and western music, jazz, and céilidh music.

He played with many groups, including the O'Carolan Country Ceili Band and The Down Beaters Ceili Band. He also had his own group, Josie McDermott and the Flynnsmen.

Playing with Friends

Throughout the 1960s, 70s, and 80s, Josie often played with button accordion player David Sheridan and fiddler Tommy Flynn. This group was very popular. They played all over Connaught and appeared on many radio and TV shows. These included Ceili House and Bring Down the Lamp.

In 1967, "Josie McDermott and Flynnsmen" was formed. The people in the band changed over the years. Later members included David Sheridan on accordion, Tommy Flynn on fiddle, and Michael Patrick Sheridan on drums. Mai Harte played the flute. Josie sang and played flute, whistle, and sax. Other members were John Flynn, Bernie Joe Mattimoe, and Liam Purcell.

This group was popular for many years. They played several nights a week. They appeared on TV and radio shows like Bring Down the Lamp, Trom agus Éadrom, and Ceili House. The group stopped playing together in the late 1980s. Josie also often traveled to Birmingham to play with his friend, flute player Peggy McGrath.

Life Changes

In 1962, Josie lost his sight. He lived as a blind man for the last 30 years of his life. Even after losing his sight, he kept playing music. He played in both céilidh bands and modern dance bands. He also wrote new dance tunes and many songs. He was very interested in the music of O'Carolan, who was also a great blind harpist.

Josie McDermott passed away in May 1992.

TV Show About Josie

Josie McDermott was featured in a TV show called Cérbh É? Josie McDermott. It was shown on TG4 in December 2009. This show was part of a series where famous traditional musicians honored older masters. Flute player Paul McGrattan explored Josie's life and music. He interviewed people who knew Josie well. These included Matt Molloy, Catherine McEvoy, Roger Sherlock, Michael Tubridy, Séamus O'Donnell, and his students Brenda Sweeney and Mai Harte.

Josie's Musical Legacy

Josie McDermott wrote many traditional tunes. These tunes are now played by musicians all over Ireland and in the United States. Every year, a festival is held in Ballyfarnon to remember him. It's called the Josie McDermott Memorial Festival. It includes a competition for flute players called the Josie McDermott Perpetual Cup Concert Flute Competition.

All-Ireland Titles

Josie McDermott won the All-Ireland title at the Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann in three different areas. In 1964, he won the tin whistle title. In 1967, he won for lilting, which is a way of singing tunes without words. In 1974, he won the flute title. He was also part of the Ballyfarnon Scóreacht group. This group won All-Ireland titles in 1967 and 1974.

Music Recordings

• Darby's Farewell was an LP (a type of record) released in 1977. Robin Morton produced the LP and played the bodhran (an Irish drum) on some songs. This album was later released again on CD in 2000.

Josie's Compositions

Reels

• "The Trip to Birmingham"
• "The Salute to Baltimore" (also known as "The Lansdowne Lass")
• "Darby's Farewell to London"
• "Father O'Grady's Trip to Bockagh"
• "The Kylemore Maid"
• "Peg McGrath's"

Songs and Airs

• "The Ballad of O'Carolan Country"
• "The Boatman of Lough Key"
• "Lament for a Fiddle Player"
• "The Pride of the West"