85 years and still singing

DUGGAN’S Bar, Spancilhill, played host to a special singing session last Sunday night to celebrate singer Robbie McMahon’s 85th birthday.

The party opened with a tribute to the late Peadar McNamara, a frequent singer in Spancilhill and good friend to Robbie, and also to Joseph Conlan who passed away that day, who was a nephew of Robbie’s wife, Maura.
Over 40 singers and storytellers turned up to honour the legendary singer, with people travelling from Dublin, Bray, Offaly, Roscommon, Kerry, Galway, Limerick, Tipperary and all corners of Clare.
A total of 68 songs were performed on the night and this included songs associated with and others composed by Robbie such as The Red Cross Social, sung by Mick Hackett, composed by Robbie to mark the 1954 Red Cross Association Social in the Queen’s Hotel, Ennis. The Fleadh Down in Ennis was sung by Mick Scanlan, also composed by Robbie and is about the 1956 Fleadh Ceoil held in Ennis.
The night couldn’t pass without a rendition from Robbie of Spancilhill in its true and original format including all 11 verses. Robbie was accompanied on the night by two of his daughters, Noeleen and Fiona.
Spancilhill Singers usually meet on the first Friday of every month and all are eagerly looking forward to the next session on January 7.