By Eoin McGarvey
NÉILLIDH Phaidí Boyle would have easily come to mind to anyone walking past Teach Niall Ó Dónaill in Loch an Iúir last Sunday afternoon as the sound of various musical instruments filled the frosty air.
Musicians, friends, relatives and neighbours came together to remember the late great Mín Doire na Slua musician, a man who generously shared his talents throughout his lifetime.
Néillidh, who passed away in April 2022, started off his musical career as a young boy playing the tin whistle but later moved on to other musical instruments such as the accordion, flute, uileann pipes, and guitar.
He joined the Anagaire fife and drum band in 1950, playing the flute. He always spoke of the great honour it was for him to be asked to be a drum major just for the day that the local Gandaí’s band and the AOH band amalgamated. He was also a member of the Mín na Croise branch of Comhaltas Ceoltoirí Éireann.
Néillidh played for a period with the former Anagaire Céilí Band in the company of people such as John Jimmy Sheainín O’Donnell, Jim Mc Ginty, and Vincie John O’Donnell.
In his younger days he went to America where he worked for around two years. He missed the music on the local scene so much that he made his way back home to the ever-popular musical sessions in pubs all over the Rosses, Gaoth Dobhair and further afield.
In later years he played in Teach Niall Ó Dónaill in Loch an Iúir on a regular basis and was always available to play anywhere at a moment’s notice.
Many people would know that Néillidh’s voice was as sweet as the musical instruments he played. He would often sing traditional songs at sessions, and sometimes sean nós.
Fiddle player Neil Kennedy.
He was a great teacher of music in the locality, and he was one of the first to read music in the area. He also composed barn dances and tunes of that nature.
It was fitting that Teach Niall Ó Dónaill was the place to remember Néillidh on Sunday and great that many of his musical friends, neighbours and relatives came along. There was a great variety of music including flute, guitar, whistle, keyboard, bodhrán and more, not forgetting some vocal renditions by several of the guests.
Organiser Eugene Greene told the Donegal News that it was important to remember the man who shared so much of his musical talents with many.
“The reason we organised this was to remember the great man that he was through music and song,” Eugene said.
“Néillidh helped many people over the years by sharing his music, and no matter when he was asked about attending an event, Néillidh would always be there.
“He loved the music, he loved the singing, and he loved teaching the music to people as much as he could. If he was here this evening, he would be a very proud man,” he said.
