Delia Crowley’s

Breandán Breathnach got this tune from John Kelly Senior and it is in ‘Ceol Rince na hÉireann‘ collection, First edition, Number 196, page 76. In the notes Breathnach states:

“Tá leagan fabhtach a bhfuil Tom Steele (a colleague of Daniel O’Connell) air i “Kerr’s Violin Instructor and Irish Folk Song Albun” (83). Tugtar The Lauren Groves freisin air.”

Translation:

“There is a flawed version called Tom Steele(a colleague of Daniel O’Connell) in Kerr’s Violin Instructor and Irish Folk Song Albun” (83) It is also known as The Laurel Groves.”

In the Comhaltas recording (below) John states that he has no name for this tune. I think that Brendan Breathnach gave the name “Kilbaha” to the tune. But in the ‘Seoda Ceoil’ album of the same year the tune is called Delia Crowley’s.

Delia Crowley was a concerina player from Moyadda, West Clare, which is 3 and a half kilometers from Kilrush. P. 380 “Companion to Irish Traditional Music” by Finan Vallely.

I believe that Delia is buried in Kilkeevan (Breffa) Cemetary in Kilrush. Her tombstone reads: “In loving memory of Delia McMahon nee Crowley, Moyadda died 6th May 1966 aged 68 her husband James died 20 May 1986 aged 88 years. R.I.P Erected by her husband and family. McMAHON.” Link

Credit: Photo taken by Aoife Kelly in 2016. Monument in Kilbaha to John Kelly. 

Credit: 1911 Census of Ireland, Delia Crowley’s family census form. Delia is listed as being 13 in 1911. Link

Details: LocationCultúrlann na hÉireann. Date: 1968.

Credit: © Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann. Séamus MacMathúna Sound Collection. Link.