By Dan Danaher
RENOWNED Killaloe accordion player, Martin Connolly was presented with an award during the Kincora Music Weekend recently.
Martin accepted the award on behalf of his family as the accolade was an official recognition of the huge contribution made by the Connolly family to Irish music, song and dance.
Martin received a piece of glass crystal with an inscription the “Fort of Kincora”, which is a reference to some of his previous work. He will also be honoured in his own home town by Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann (CCE) during the Clare Fleadh.
CCE Ard Sturthoir, Labharas O’Murchu will present Gradam an Chomhaltais to the Killaloe native.
Clare CCE public relations officer, Councillor Joe Arkins said it was fitting that Mr Connolly should be feted in his own home place following his “immense” contribution to Irish traditional music, in particular accordeon playing.
In addition to winning several All-Ireland titles as a performer, Clare’s first citizen noted he had repeated this feat as a teacher with his students over the years and was also the manufacturer of the world famous “Kincora Accordion”.
Mr Connolly has two published recordings of his music, “The Fort of Kincora” issued as an LP, which will be re-launched on CD at Fleadh Nua in May and “Back to Brooklin”.
Both recordings feature his late wife, the renowned pianist and fiddle player from New York Maureen Glynn.
Martin will be playing in a concert in Glor with his brother, Seamus, during the Fleadh Nua next May.
Seamus is an award-winning fiddle player, who was awarded a National Heritage Fellowship by the National Endowment for the Arts last year.
A native of Ennis, Colin McGann has been editor of The Clare Champion since August 2020. Former editor of The Clare People, he is a journalism and communications graduate of Dublin Institute of Technology.