Recognition for legendary concertina player

Playing the concertina since the age of eight, legendary North Clare musician Chris Droney from Belharbour, now 87, was honoured as the Clare Person of the Year 2012 by the Clare Association in Dublin at their recent function.
For their voluntary work in helping the children of Belarus and their involvement in the support group to help the people of Pemba Island in Tanzaniua, Pat and Neilus O’Doherty from Ballingaddy West, Ennistymon, were presented with the Clare Association’s Hall Of Fame award.
Acknowledging the recipients, chairman Liam O’Looney said the association prides itself in awarding the person of the year to an individual whose achievements have stood out in their particular discipline, be it business, academics, sport, music, or the arts. 
Music is very much in the Droney family; Chris’ father and grandfather were accomplished musicians and while his sons play a few tunes, his grandson Daithi is also making quite a name for himself in the industry.
Chris made it to the big time when he was crowned All-Ireland champion concertina player nine times in the 1950s  and 1960s and played with many céilí bands down through the years, including the Belharbour Céilí Band, Ballinkill, Aughrim Slopes, Kincora and the Kilfenora Céilí Band.
He also toured the world with Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann, playing to many distinguished visitors both home and abroad.
Mr O’Looney pointed out that Chris has many recordings to his credit and Irish music lovers are indebted to him for his wonderful collection, all in the North Clare style.
“We in Clare are blessed to have a wide selection to choose from as we have a wealth of people out there to fit the various categories. While we honour Chris here this evening, we also acknowledge past musicians whose legacy is being passed on and not lost forever,” he added.
The chairman continued that the Clare Association recognise the work and dedication that Pat and Neilus O’Doherty have given over the years. They were instrumental in bringing children from Belarus for holidays in Ireland and Clare and are presently involved in the Pemba Support Group for Tanzania.
Mr O’Looney also noted that Pat and Neilus are involved for years at local level and had done tremendous work for the young people of North Clare, particularly in sport.
Among the attendance on the night were the association’s new patron Bishop Kieran O’Reilly, SMA; past Clare People of the Year, Michael Tubridy, Pat O’Donnell (now the association president) and Brother Sean MacNamara, the association’s representative in Clare; Clare GAA chairman Michael O’Neill; Inagh’s All-Ireland winning camogie captain Michelle Wynne and manager Flan Garvey; Gerry O’Grady (representing Crusheen, winners of the Clare Senior Hurling Championship); Chisty Killeen, Pat Nihill and Pat Breen from the Friends of Clare Supporters Group; Mayor of Clare, Pat Hayes, Deputy Timmy Dooley and from Connecticut, USA, Pascal Droney, brother of Chris. Apologies were sent from Clare football champions Kilmurry Ibrickane for not being able to attend.
The chairman asked guests to remember past chairmen Paddy Kerin and Eamon Rodgers; founder member Willie Noonan; Paddy King, a loyal supporter of the association for many years, as well as Miltown Malbay’s Muiris Ó Rocháin, founder member of the Willie Clancy Summer School.