The High Hills of Largy 

Seán Nugent’s Music Remembered at: Grave Memorial / Performance / Open Session Ederney.

A treat in store for all traditional music lovers on Friday 25th June 2010 at 8:15pm.  This will commence with a memorial service and traditional music played at Seán’s grave in Edenclaw.  Following this, a performance of his many works will then take place at the Glendarragh Valley Inn at 9:30pm - 10:45pm. Refreshments will be served and the night’s entertainment will be brought to a climax when an open session will give all musicians the opportunity to come together and share the music Seán loved so dearly. This will take place in a relaxed atmosphere, which will celebrate his memory.  

Seán Nugent was born in the town land of Kildrum (Dromore) Co. Tyrone, but lived most of his life in Lack, Co. Fermanagh.  He is remembered as a fiddle player, devoted teacher and composer of traditional music. In addition to his personal achievements, Seán led the Pride of Erin Ceili Band for several decades.  They are the only Ulster Senior Ceili Band to have win two All-Ireland titles, first in 1983 and again in 1985. This year marks the 25th anniversary of their second victory.

Seán began composing later in his life and his deep affection for people and places of his locality are reflected in his compositions. These compositions were complied by his daughter Catherine Mc Laughlin in the Book and CD entitled The High Hills of Largy, which will be available for sale on the night.  It is fitting that Seán’s music will be played and honoured in his own parish of Ederney where he lived most of his life and is buried. 

Many fine musicians will perform Seán Nugent’s own compositions on the night. These will include Tony Smith (fiddle), Gerry O’Connor (fiddle), Síle Boylan O’Connor (fiddle), Annette Owens (accordion), Brenda Mc Cann (fiddle, Janette Durnien (fiddle), Áine Nugent (fiddle), Ryan Molloy (piano/fiddle), Catherine and Brendan Nugent (vocals) and many more invited guests.

All musicians are very welcome to come and join at the grave memorial and at the open session held in the Glendarragh Valley Inn, Ederney. Not only will this promise to be a memorable night’s music, featuring some of Ireland’s finest musicians, but it will also celebrate the life and work of a well-known and greatly acclaimed musician: Séan Nugent.  As Tommy Sands puts it in the book The High Hills of Largy:

“The fiddle was his crutch and his crozier on the highway to heavenfulness and…he used it well.”  (Tommy Sands)