Johnny Doherty (1900-1980)
24 November 2006, 9:11 PM GMT
Johnny Doherty was born at Ardara, Co. Donegal at the close of the 19th c. into a family steeped in musical traditions. His grandfather Simon played the fiddle, uilleann and highland pipes; his father Michael also played the fiddle, while his mother Mary McConnell had two famous brothers who also played. In turn they were descended from the Gallaghers and McSweeneys, the most famed of whom is Tarlach Mac Suibhne, An Píobaire Mór, of the 18th c. Johnny was the youngest of a family of nine, most of whom became noted players. With such a background, it’s hardly surprising that Johnny is reputed to have reached out and touched a bow shortly after his birth!!
The Doherty and McConnell families were well known tinsmiths, highly skilled in their trade, who travelled throughout the county of Donegal plying their wares for the farming communities. Johnny, with his brother Simon and later with Mickey, established a regular circuit, working the tin by day and later at night playing the fiddle with the locals and retelling tales when the people gathered for a dance or two. Therefore Johnny had access to the many varied traditions and music of the town-lands, and in turn helped to bring new tunes into the areas. Therefore the Doherty’s were eagerly looked forward to and “big nights” became a regular feature to coincide with their visits. Johnny rarely left Donegal county and only travelled to Dublin and Belfast on one occasion. Still playing reels to the very end, he died on January 23rd 1980.
His Music
Donegal music is generally recognised for its strong clear tone, skilful bowing with little finger ornamentation. Johnny’s style bore all those hallmarks but was made much more dramatic by his aggressive staccato bowing and frequent use of double stopping. He was entirely self taught, read music, and key changes seemed unchallenging to him, no matter how awkward fingering became. The influence of the strong highland piping tradition in his family was noticeable by his vast repertoire of marches and strathspeys.
Useful References
- Treoir Vol. 7 No. 2
- Treoir Vol.8 No. 6
- Treoir Vol. 11 No. 5/6
- Treoir Vol. 12 No. 2, 3
- Treoir Vol. 26 No. 3
- Treoir Vol. 28 No. 2
- Johnny Doherty CCÉ LP 1974
- Johnny Doherty - Taisce - The Celebrated Recordings - Gael Linn 1977
- Bundle and Go - John Doherty - master Fiddler of Donegal - Topic 1984
- The Donegal Fiddle - RTE CD
- Floating Bow - CD Claddagh Records
Posted By comhaltas
Comments
- charles o'rourke
- 29 August 2009
- 7:08 PM GMT
My grandmother was Frances Doherty the sister of John Doherty. John had five brothers , Simon and Mickey are known but not sure if there was a Hugh. Yes it,s highly likely you are a Finntown Doherty.
- dee
- 29 June 2010
- 3:06 AM GMT
dear charles its now 2010 if you could contact me at
- Charles O'Rourke
- 19 October 2010
- 7:10 PM GMT
Deborath, I mailed you and hope we make contact.
To whom it may concern my grandfather was hugh Doherty and his bther was simy doherty both fiddle players and tins smiths and their father was charlie Doherty Hugh doherty died in killmacrenan in 1979 and simy i think 1990 or 1988 and simys son barney fiddle player also died 2008 are we related to the fintown Dohertys. can you help. i am the grandchild of hugh
you can contact me at this address
Deborah Doherty Corlecky Ballybofey