JC was from Caherrush, just south of Spanish Point in CO Clare. A stalwart of local music magnificent whistler and long time fluteplayer with the Laitin Naoifa and Tulla Ceilibands. During the early 60s he won the all Ireland piping title.
A quiet man never seeking attention but always playing when the mood would take him he was at the centre of music most of his life, JC was a close friend of Willie Clancy and best man at Willie and Doirin’s wedding, a close friend and musical associate of Peadar O’Loughlin, Paddy Canny and many others..
He passed on his music to his niece Brid O Donohue and on a number of occasion Brid took him up to my house where we played tunes in the kitchen. Brid and JC would play like one on the whistle, even taking breaths at the same spots at times.
I’d often meet JC in the street and he would keep me occupied with stories of Willie, Seamus Ennis, Leo Rowsome and all the other musicians he was close to. Like many of th older musicians he was mad about music, it was his life and he loved it, he also had strong opinions and would not take prisoners if he didn’t like something.
It was always great to talk to him and it sad to have another of the familiar faces gone.
