 |
Thomas
Joseph Shannon
1897 -1977
This year we have
received a generous donation to the Russell weekend from
Denise vonMering from Boston, whose grandfather
Thomas Joseph Shannon was born in Doolin and would have
been close neighbours of the Russell family. Denise has
made this kind donation in his memory to help enhance and
promote the traditional musical heritage of Doolin.
"I am drawn to Clare, to the place of story, song
and dance that my grandfather spoke of so fondly. I loved
my grandfather very much and knew him well, but it wasn't
until I went to Doolin and experienced the Micho Festival
that I realized "who" he really was. How the music
and the landscape had defined him and kept a part of him
wild and free to the end of his days. I know that he would
be delighted to think that in some small way, he was still
a part of the musical heritage in Doolin" - Denise
vonMering
Thomas Joseph Shannon was born in Luogh
North on December 19th, 1897 to Patrick Shannon
of Luogh and the former Bridget Woods of
Inisheer. His birth was registered in the district of Roadford
in the Union of Ennistymon, in the County of Clare. The
shell of his boyhood home is still standing on the cliffs
in Luogh.
His occupation was listed as farmer,
but he also worked with his father in the quarries near
their home. He emigrated to America in April of 1920 at
the age of twenty two. In 1923 he married a Cork girl,
Margaret Corcoran originally from Macroom and together
they raised three children. They lived in and around the
Boston area, finally settling in Somerville Massachusetts,
where they resided for the rest of their lives. He passed
away in 1977 and was laid to rest there. He never had an
opportunity to return to Ireland and although he wished
to be buried in the family grave in the Holy Rosary Cemetery
in Doolin with his mother and father and brothers James
and Willie, this wasn't to be.
Thomas Shannon was a great talker and story teller who loved
his music, song and dance. He played a Melodeon
and the spoons and he could whistle with the best. His
favourite whistling tune was Stacks of Barley.
Denise's mother remembers hearing the tune coming down the
street long before he arrived at the door! He also loved
to dance and did so his whole life, even dancing an Irish
jig at Denise's wedding in 1975 when he was well into his
seventies! He told his family many stories of the music
and song that he heard at O'Connors pub in his youth and
that he took to America with him.
He is survived by his 3 children, 16 grandchildren, 39
great-grandchildren and 7 great-great-grandchildren with
3 more on the way!
|
Further Information:
email: info@michorussellweekend.ie or
telephone +353 (0)65- 7074595, 7074168, 7074328, 7074133
Photos of Micho Russell © Ilsa Thielan
2009, photos of Thomas Shannon and family courtesy of Denise vonMering,
© Micho Russell Memorial Weekend Committee, Doolin, Co. Clare,
Ireland 2009
|
The annual traditional festival held in Doolin falling
on the last full weekend in February is a remembrance ceremony to the Russell family,
Micho,
Packieand
Gussie
Russell, the world-famous traditional musicians.
The festival began in 1995 as a remembrance
ceremony to Micho Russell, one of Ireland's best known and loved
the traditional musicians, who died in 1994.
In 2006 the festival was renamed the Russell Memorial Weekend in
memory of the three Russell brothers.
The weekend festival is now firmly
established on the traditional festival calendar as one of the
earliest festivals of the year. It also hosts some of the best of
traditional entertainment and attracts musicians from around the
country.
The theme throughout the weekend is one of
celebration as the new and vibrant music talents attract the growing
audience for traditional music. There is also a hint of nostalgia
for visitors and locals alike as they revisit and relive the heyday
of Doolin in the 1960s and 1970s in music sessions taking place in
the public houses and hotels.
The highlight of the festival is the concert on
Saturday afternoon. The concert has a unique and spontaneous
atmosphere, which often includes surprise guest appearances.
Recent performers include: Liam Óg O Flynn, Joe
Burke, Seamus Tansey, Bobby Gardiner, John Carty, Kieran Hanrahan,
Coir Cúil Aodh, Tony McMahon, Christy Barry, etc.
On Sunday, an annual anniversary mass is held at
Doolin Church in memory of the many musicians who have passed away,
followed by a wreath-laying service at the Russell grave in Doolin
Cemetery.
Events throughout the weekend take place in
the Russell Cultural Centre, a facility with
community hall and meeting rooms completed in 2000. Festival
exhibitions, lectures, poetry readings, stage performances, workshops,
and receptions are facilitated here. |
