Episode 38: Joe Fitzgerald (Accordion, singing)

The great Joe Fitzgerald, of east Clare and Melbourne. On first hearing his mother play the melodeon. On drovers, the bush, and working with his father. On lost players: Mick Minogue, Mrs Brady, Mrs Purcell and Frank MacNamara. Growing old and the curative power of music and song. 'Strange thing I have...I was born in Galway. I was raised in Clare. We lived just inside the parish of Ogonnellow, but I went to school in the parish of Bodyke and played my hurling there...and I have Ireland and Australia. So I have two of everything, and I love them all.' 

Joe plays two reels to start:
The Stone of Destiny and The Trip to Cullenstown.

Then, Miss McLeod's Reel, the first tune he heard his mother play.
Then, The Foxhunter's Reel.

He sings 'Andy's Gone With Cattle' and finishes with a slow air which we don't have the name of.

You can hear Paddy, Joe's brother, talk about their childhood and the role of music in their household here, in Episode 14:

https://blarneypilgrims.fireside.fm/14

And Eileen O'Brien and Mary MacNamara's full episode here:

https://blarneypilgrims.fireside.fm/4

Beautiful stuff. Thanks to Joe, and to Chris and Bryony Fitzgerald and the staff at The Last Jar in Melbourne.

Enjoy!
Darren & Dom
...

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Om Podcasten

The Blarney Pilgrims Podcast is a weekly journey to the heart of Irish music. We interview players of Irish music about how they first came to the music and the place it occupies in their lives now. We use the word ‘heart’ intentionally, because heart is what this music, and the people who play it, are all about. It’s a funny, warm and often unexpected journey – and the tunes are crackin' too. NOTE: Hey there - it's Darren and Dom here. So...we want to let you know that last week was the last episode (Ep 94) of the Blarney Pilgrims Podcast for now. We've come to a point where we've both decided to take a long pause and focus on a few other things. Knowing how much the podcast means to you all, it's a decision we've been really reluctant to take. What we DO know is how massively grateful we are for every text, every thumbs up, every raised eyebrow of support we've had over the past two years. You are all legends, and we're forever in your debt. Thanks especially to everyone who's become a Patron Saint and supported us through the toughest of economic times, and thanks most especially to the musicians. To those who have been so generous to share their tunes and stories with us, and to those who've welcomed us into pub sessions and festival gatherings and house sessions and campsite sessions. Wherever in the world we've chatted with players of the music, we've been made to feel like lifelong pals. It's a testament to the open heartedness of the communities who keep the music going wherever they are, and we can't thank you all enough. We hope this archive will remain of use to people even as we're taking a pause. So - please do stay in touch, don't be a stranger, and if you see us out and about, do say hello. And we'll see you when we see you. Dom and Darren.