Nell Galvin

Nell Galvin
Birth name	Ellen McCarthy
Born	1887
Origin	County Clare, Ireland
Died	1961
Genres	Traditional Irish
Instruments	fiddle and concertina
Years active	1901-1961

Ellen (Nell) Galvin (1887 - 5 September 1961) was a fiddle and concertina player from County Clare, Ireland. She lived in Ballydineen, Knockalough, near Kilmihil.

Nell Galvin learned to play when she was young. She was taught by Garret Barry, a blind uilleann pipes player from Inagh. Because Galvin could not decide what was her favourite instrument, he taught her to play on both the fiddle and the concertina.^[1][2]

In 1901, she entered the Thomond Feis in Ennis and won the fiddle competition. In 1905 Galvin took part again, this time playing the concertina and the fiddle. She won both competitions. She later won a competition in Kilkee, where she was judged by Seamus Clandillon, who would become director of Radio Éireann.^[3]

In 1937, Nell Galvin was granted an audition for Radio Éireann in Dublin. This made it possible to broadcast traditional music over 2RN a number of times.^[4]

Galvin used the effect of droning strings, dissonance and intricate ornamentation in her playing style.^[5]

In the mid-1950s, some recordings were made of her music. These recordings are now part of the RTÉ-collection at the ITMA in Dublin. The importance of Nell Galvins music is mainly found in history and continuity. She forms a link between the pre-Famine musicians and mentors on one side and the modern day musicians on the other side of the timescale.^[6]

Galvin played with most famous Clare traditional musicians, like Mrs. Crotty (concertina), John Kelly (fiddle), Sean Reid, Dr. Bill Loughnane and Willie Clancy (uilleann pipes).^[7]

Later she played with her son Stephen as guests with the Kilfenora Céilí Band. They played an unnamed reel, that promptly was baptized "Mrs Galvin's" by the Band.^[8][9]

Nell Galvin is the namesake of the Nell Galvin Traditional Music Weekend in Moyasta.^[10][11]

Personal

Nell Galvin, born as Ellen McCarthy, married Moyasta-man Patrick Galvin. They had two girls and three boys.^[12]

References

1. "Ellen Galvin". Clare Champion. 1-9-2007. Check date values in: |date= (help); p. 15
2. The Fiddler's Companion
3. Nell Galvin Traditional Music Weekend
4. "Nell Galvin". Clare Champion. 2005-08-26. p. 21
5. Vallely, Fintan (1999). The Companion to Irish Traditional Music. Cork: Cork University Press. p. 146.
6. Vallely, Fintan (1999). The Companion to Irish Traditional Music. Cork: Cork University Press. p. 146.
7. Nell Galvin Traditional Music Weekend
8. Nell Galvin Traditional Music Weekend
9. Tune ID#4264 (Mrs. Galvin's)
10. Flyer, issued 2008
11. Chiff and Fipple Forums
12. "Ellen Galvin". Clare Champion. 1-9-2007. Check date values in: |date= (help); p. 15