Martin Reidy

Martin Reidy:' (1901 - 1985), a bachelor, lived with his dog and cat, in the foothills of Mount Callan.  His small farmhouse had neither running water nor electricity when we first visited in the 1970s and, in fact, was reduced to two rooms as the roof of the end room had collapsed.  In a somewhat remote location, Martin relied completely on the travelling grocer’s shop calling once a week.  However, he was one of the most cheerful, happy and well adjusted people you could wish to meet.  A man for the long songs, he loved to sing, to talk, and to discuss the old ways and the new.  Songs were an important part of his life, and he once joked with us that he tried to teach his dog Topsy to sing in order to pass the songs on.  Martin’s lack of teeth can make understanding him a problem sometimes, but persevere - you will get used to it and it’s worth the effort.

Part of the booklet notes, written by Jim Carrol and Pat Mackenzie, to the Musical Traditions Records CDs Around the Hills of Clare (MTCD331-2)