The dream of the late Fintown man Josie McKelvey is to be fulfilled this Saturday night when a unique CD is launched in his memory.
Josie (pictured above in full flight) was born in 1941 and lived most of his life in Fintown where he and his wife Margaret raised a family of five.
The couple were both enthusiastic about the Irish Language and culture and encouraged both young and old to celebrate that culture through Irish music, song and dance.
In later years, Josie hosted many traditional song and music sessions in ‘Teach A Cheoil’ and these were always well attended by musicians, singers and dancers from near and far.
Josie had a large repertoire of songs, some which he had learned as a young boy at school. He believed that he had a responsibility to preserve these songs for future generations so that they would not be forgotten.
In early winter 2020 Josie set about recording two CDs, one in English and another as Gaeilge.
He intended to launch the CDs soon after the covid restrictions were lifted and any monies raised to go to Cancer Care. He was very pleased to have recorded the CDs and was looking forward to organising the launch.
Josie, however, passed away in February 2022 due to covid related complications.
Now his family has endeavoured to fulfil Josie’s wish, to launch the CDs and to share the songs at home and abroad with any proceeds raised to go towards Cancer Care West.
Josie’s family would like to sincerely thank all those who visited “Teach a’ Cheoil” over the years and who supported him in bringing this CD to you.
The launch event and musical evening will be held (after Josie’s anniversary mass at 7.30pm) in Fintown hall on Saturday, 11th February 2023 at 8.15 pm. Josie recorded 2 CDs of traditional Irish and English songs in December 2020.
Josie’s family have sent out an open invitation for people to come and celebrate his life with music, song and dance.
Ceoligí libh agus bainigí sult as na h-amhráin !
Beidh lainse i halla mBaile na Finne, Dún na nGall ar an Satharn, 11ú Feabhra 2023 ag 8.15 i.n. (i ndiaidh aifreann chuimhneacháin Josie Mac Ceallabhui ar an 7.30 i.n.). Oíche cheol, craic agus comhluadar. Fáilte roimh achan nduine.
Labhair Josie Mac Ceallabhuí go minic ar saibhreas na h-ámhrain a bhí aige. Ar eagla go gcailleadh na hamhráin seo, shocraigh se dhá Cd a dheanamh,ceann i mBearla agus ceann i nGaeilge. Cuireadh na hamhráin ar CD cúpla lá roimh Nollaig 2020.
Ach gan mhoill ina dhiaidh sin ,tháinig covid air agus d’athraigh a shaol go hiomlán.
Bhí sé bréa sásta go raibh na CDs críochnaithe aige ach taréis cogadh fada le tinneas a déirigh ón covid fuair sé bas i mí Feabhra 2022 sula bhfuair sé seans iad a lainseáil.
De bhrí sin, tá sinne,a chlann ag déanamh cinnte go dtarlaíonn seo de réir a mhianta.
Ba mhaith linn buíochas a ghabháil le achan nduine a thug tacaíocht do m’athair agus a thug cuairt ar “Teach a ‘Cheoil” thar na blianta .
Bain sult as na h-amhráin!
