The Stirring Foot

EP3 John Sheahan (Part 2)

January 29, 2023 The Stirring Foot Season 1 Episode 4
The Stirring Foot
EP3 John Sheahan (Part 2)
Show Notes

To The Memory Of Paddy Moloney

A few months ago, I had a zoom call with one of Ireland’s most respected & much loved musicians, John Sheahan. John is the last surviving member, of what is often considered to be, the definitive five member line up of The Dubliners (i.e. Ronnie Drew, Barney McKenna, Ciarán Bourke, Luke Kelly & John). Never one to rest on his laurels, John released his book of poetry, ‘Fiddle Dreams’, in 2015 & in 2020, John released his debut solo album, ‘Flirting Fiddles’, at 80 years young. 

John was in fine form, as he took the call from his home in Dublin. Talking us through his recent solo record, John gives us tunes on the tin whistle, as he recites a couple of poems along the way. Beginning with his first experiences of music, John shares some of his journey between then & now, with plenty of tales about his time with The Dubliners too. John also speaks fondly of his lifelong friend & fellow musician, Paddy Moloney, whom this episode is dedicated to.” - Dylan Walshe
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John Sheahan - short bio
“John Sheahan was the quiet one in The Dubliners or as he sometimes refers to himself during his 48 year tenure with the group, as ‘The mortar between the Bricks’. In that cast of beardy and hairy rogues and rascals, Sheahan stood out by not standing out. Brought in to stand shoulder to shoulder with founder members Luke Kelly, Ronnie Drew, Barney McKenna and Ciarán Bourke, Sheahan’s playing brought a touch of elegant class to that gallery. The Dubliners may have sung with gnarly gusto on those full-bodied ballads and rousing airs, but Sheahan’s fiddle added a veneer of the other to the proceedings.”
http://www.JohnSheahan.ie

John’s book of poetry ‘Fiddle Dreams’ is available here from Dedalus Press
http://www.dedaluspress.com/product/fiddle-dreams/

John’s ‘Flirting Fiddles’ CD is available here
http://www.celticnote.com/traditional/ty4tm1939

Also see http://www.itsthedubliners.com
Photographer not known

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