Joe Holmes (Irish Singer)
Encyclopedia
Joe Holmes was a fiddle
r, lilter
and singer
from Antrim
, Ireland
.
His brother Harry had brought him home a present of his first fiddle on his return from the Great War. Joe's first job was carrying the red warning flag in front of the steam roller, which took him travelling all around the country in a caravan. He took his fiddle on these trips. Some of the fiddle favourites included The Boys of Ballycastle, The Blackberry Blossom, Royal Charlie, Wellington’s Medal and Rodney’s Glory. Joe later left the roadwork and worked at flax-scutching, first for a small mill near Killyrammer, and then into Milltown Mill, in Ballymoney
. He then took up a healthier job as a green-keeper for Ballymoney Bowling club.
with whom he began regularly attending music sessions around Ireland in the 1960s.
Their fist album was 'Chaste Muses, Bards and Sages', which includes solo singing by both as well as duets and lilting.
'The record became an instant hit and Len’s assured singing coupled with Joe’s verve, and his huge store of songs, made them firm favourites in clubs, concerts and festivals. Sadly, Joe Holmes died just a fortnight after completing the recording of their follow-up LP, After Dawning, in 1978.
, Jeannie McGrath, Sarah Ann O'Neill and Paddy Tunney
.
The programme was called 'Joe Holmes: A Parting Glass', BBC Programme number: 140U540, Catalogue Number: 9517794, Duration 0:29:08
Fiddle
The term fiddle may refer to any bowed string musical instrument, most often the violin. It is also a colloquial term for the instrument used by players in all genres, including classical music...
r, lilter
Lilting
Lilting is a form of traditional singing common in the Gaelic speaking areas of Ireland and Scotland. It goes under many names, and is sometimes referred to as "mouth music", diddling, jigging, chin music or cheek music), puirt a beul in Scottish Gaelic, Canterach, or portaireacht bhéil in Irish...
and singer
Traditional Irish Singers
Some of the traditional Irish singers alphabetically listed below are known to have sung in both the Irish and English language and if so are listed in both sections below as well known singers of macaronic Irish songs.-Mainly English language songs:...
from Antrim
Antrim, County Antrim
Antrim is a town in County Antrim in the northeast of Northern Ireland, on the banks of the Six Mile Water, half a mile north-east of Lough Neagh. It had a population of 20,001 people in the 2001 Census. The town is the administrative centre of Antrim Borough Council...
, Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
.
His brother Harry had brought him home a present of his first fiddle on his return from the Great War. Joe's first job was carrying the red warning flag in front of the steam roller, which took him travelling all around the country in a caravan. He took his fiddle on these trips. Some of the fiddle favourites included The Boys of Ballycastle, The Blackberry Blossom, Royal Charlie, Wellington’s Medal and Rodney’s Glory. Joe later left the roadwork and worked at flax-scutching, first for a small mill near Killyrammer, and then into Milltown Mill, in Ballymoney
Ballymoney
Ballymoney is a small town in County Antrim, Northern Ireland. It had a population of 9,021 people in the 2001 Census. It is currently served by Ballymoney Borough Council....
. He then took up a healthier job as a green-keeper for Ballymoney Bowling club.
Recordings
All of Joe's recordings were made with Len GrahamLen Graham (singer)
Len Graham is a singer from Northern Ireland. He is one of Ireland's best-known traditional singers who has gained an international reputation for his inimitable singing style and also for the breadth of his knowledge of Irish Folk music.-Career and awards:...
with whom he began regularly attending music sessions around Ireland in the 1960s.
Their fist album was 'Chaste Muses, Bards and Sages', which includes solo singing by both as well as duets and lilting.
'The record became an instant hit and Len’s assured singing coupled with Joe’s verve, and his huge store of songs, made them firm favourites in clubs, concerts and festivals. Sadly, Joe Holmes died just a fortnight after completing the recording of their follow-up LP, After Dawning, in 1978.
- 'Chaste Muses, Bards and Sages', 1971.
- 'Living Thing' 1997, various artists
- 'After Dawning', Len Graham and Joe Holmes, 1979, Topic: 12TS401
BBC Radio Documentary
On the 6th of January, 1980 a radio documentary tribute to Joe Holmes compiled by David Hammond was broadcast on BBC Radio Ulster. Contributors on the programme were Len Graham, Geordie Hanna, Frank HarteFrank Harte
Frank Harte was a traditional Irish singer, song collector, architect and lecturer. He was born and raised in Dublin. His father Peter Harte who had moved from a farming background in Sligo owned 'The Tap' pub in Chapelizod...
, Jeannie McGrath, Sarah Ann O'Neill and Paddy Tunney
Paddy Tunney
Paddy Tunney was an Irish traditional singer, poet, writer, raconteur, lilter and songwriter. He was affectionately known as the Man of Songs.-Early life:...
.
The programme was called 'Joe Holmes: A Parting Glass', BBC Programme number: 140U540, Catalogue Number: 9517794, Duration 0:29:08
See also
- Traditional Irish SingersTraditional Irish SingersSome of the traditional Irish singers alphabetically listed below are known to have sung in both the Irish and English language and if so are listed in both sections below as well known singers of macaronic Irish songs.-Mainly English language songs:...
- Len GrahamLen Graham (singer)Len Graham is a singer from Northern Ireland. He is one of Ireland's best-known traditional singers who has gained an international reputation for his inimitable singing style and also for the breadth of his knowledge of Irish Folk music.-Career and awards:...
- Frank HarteFrank HarteFrank Harte was a traditional Irish singer, song collector, architect and lecturer. He was born and raised in Dublin. His father Peter Harte who had moved from a farming background in Sligo owned 'The Tap' pub in Chapelizod...
- List of Irish musicians
- Comhaltas Ceoltóirí ÉireannComhaltas Ceoltóirí ÉireannComhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann is the primary Irish organisation dedicated to the promotion of the music, song, dance and the language of Ireland. The name of the organisation is often abbreviated to Comhaltas or CCÉ...
- Sean NósSean-nós songSean-nós is a highly ornamented style of unaccompanied traditional Irish singing. It is a sean-nós activity, which also includes sean-nós dancing...