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Tributes paid to 'giant' of Irish traditional music scene

Liam McArdle A woman with blond hair is smiling. She is holding a fiddle. She is wearing square-framed glasses and a grey cardigan. Liam McArdle
Eithne Vallely has been described as a "tremendously gifted" musician

A renowned traditional Irish musician and educator who died following a road crash in County Armagh has been described by a Sinn Féin MP as a "giant of Irish cultural life".

Eithne Vallely, 81, who was originally from Donegal, died following a road traffic collision on the Portadown Road in Armagh on Friday morning.

Dáire Hughes said her decades of contribution to music and cultural expression "cannot be overstated" and is "evidenced by her countless awards and honours".

He added that she was "tremendously gifted" and passed her passion for music on to her family and the wider community through the founding of the Armagh Pipers Club with her husband, Brian.

'Gifted teacher'

Liam McArdle A man and woman are standing in an art gallery. They are both wearing glasses and smiling at the camera. Liam McArdle
Eithne and her husband Brian founded the Armagh Pipers Club in 1966

"Her legacy will live on, through them and the countless others she inspired," he said.

Hughes offered condolences to Vallely's husband and children and all "those who had the pleasure of playing music with her, or learning from her".

SDLP Councillor Thomas O'Hanlon described the news as "devastating".

He said that while Vallely was originally from Donegal, "she made Armagh her home".

"What an extraordinary contribution she made to the cultural and musical life of our city, this island and far beyond over many decades,"he said.

O'Hanlon said that in recent years, he worked with Vallely, and witnessed the "patience, care and encouragement she gave to young people".

"She was a gifted teacher, an experienced administrator and Director of Music, but above all she was someone who gave so generously of herself to others," he said.

'Enormous contribution'

PSNI A woman with short white hair is sitting on a black chair. She is holding a violin and a bow. She is wearing a white t-shirt with butterfly's on it. PSNI
Eithne was originally from Donegal but had lived in Armagh for decades

In a post on social media, Armagh Pipers Club paid tribute to Vallely who was director of music at the club and said she "brought music into the lives of children for six decades".

"Our heartfelt sympathy goes to her husband Brian and their family", they said.

"Her enormous contribution to Irish traditional music was recognised nationally with many awards and honours."