Maggie Boyle facts for kids

Maggie Boyle (born December 24, 1956 – died November 6, 2014) was a talented English folk singer from London. She was also skilled at playing the flute, whistle, and the bodhrán, which is a type of Irish drum.

Growing Up with Music

Margaret Boyle was born in Battersea, a part of southwest London. She grew up surrounded by London's Irish community. Music was a big part of her family life. Her father played the fiddle and came from Donegal, a region in Ireland where Irish is spoken. Her mother was a dancer.

Besides her father, Maggie learned a lot from Oliver Mulligan, a singer from County Monaghan in Ireland who lived in London. As a young girl, Maggie joined the Fulham branch of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann. This is an organization that promotes Irish traditional music. Through them, she won singing competitions across Britain.

As a teenager, Maggie performed with her brothers, Kevin and Paul. They called themselves The Boyle Family. In London's folk music scene, she met Steve Tilston, who was a professional folk singer. They married in 1984 but later divorced.

A Career in Folk Music

Touring and Collaborations

In 1984, Maggie joined a live show for a ballet called Sergeant Early's Dream, created by Christopher Bruce. Six musicians, including Maggie, performed English, Irish, and American folk songs. A dancer would interpret the songs on stage. Maggie toured the world with this show for several years. A CD version of the production was released in 1994.

Maggie was also a member of John Renbourn's group called Ship of Fools in 1988. They released one album.

Grace Notes and Movie Music

In 1992, Maggie formed a harmony group called Grace Notes with Helen Hockenhull and Lynda Hardcastle. This trio became very popular at concerts and festivals across the country. They were especially loved at the yearly Whitby folk week. Grace Notes released five albums, starting with Down Falls the Day in 1993. Their last album, 20, came out in 2012 to celebrate their 20th anniversary.

Maggie Boyle performed most of the music for the movie Patriot Games (1992). This film was based on a novel by Tom Clancy. She also sang on the soundtrack for the movie Legends of the Fall (1994).

Later Projects

In 2012, Maggie started a special project called Kitchen Songs. She recorded performances and duets with folk songwriters she admired. These recordings were made in their own kitchens when she visited their homes. Some of the artists she sang with included Ralph McTell, Jez Lowe, Pete Coe, and Steve Tilston.

Also in 2012, Maggie released a solo album called Won't You Come Away. Paul Downes played guitar and mandolin on this album, and Jon Boden played the fiddle.

Maggie is the mother of Joe Tilston, who is a guitarist in the band Random Hand. Many members of the Boyle family continue to make music today. Her brother Kevin, for example, still tours and records with his band, Le Cheile.

Her Passing

Maggie Boyle passed away from cancer on November 6, 2014, in West Yorkshire. She is remembered by her children and her partner.

Her Music Albums

Maggie Boyle released several albums during her career, both as a solo artist and with other musicians.

Solo Albums

• Reaching Out (1987)
• Gweebarra (1998)
• Won't You Come Away (2012)

Collaborations

• The Expatriate Game (2005) – with Duck Baker and Ben Paley
• Ship of Fools (1988) – with John Renbourn's Ship of Fools
• Sergeant Early's Dream/Ghost Dances (1994) – with Sergeant Early Band and Incantation
• Sketch (2008) – with Sketch (including Gary Boyle and Dave Bowie)
• of Moor and Mesa (1992) – with Steve Tilston
• All Under the Sun (1996) – with Steve Tilston