PRESIDENT Michael D Higgins has led the tributes to Seamus Begley, saying he will remember him for his “talent, his warmth and his sense of fun, that lasting impression which he left on all those who he met.”
Mr Begley – one of Ireland’s accomplished accordion player – died on Monday at the age of 73.
President Michael D Higgins said Mr Begley played at the Áras an Uachtaráin at many State dinners, including the State dinner held in honour of the King and Queen of the Netherlands in June 2019.
He said: “It is with sadness that lovers of Irish music across the world will have heard of the death of Séamus Begley.
“Séamus will be remembered as one of Ireland’s finest accordion players as well as a beautiful singer. Growing up in a family rich in traditional Irish music in Baile na bPoc in the west Kerry Gaeltacht, his recordings and performances captured not only the music of his upbringing but also a knowledge of music far beyond these shores.
“From his early albums with his sister Máire starting 50 years ago, to his landmark collaboration with Steve Cooney on the album ‘Meitheal’, and in so many more works besides, including with Jim Murray and Tim Edey, Séamus has left us a lasting musical legacy.
“Sabina and I had the pleasure of hosting Séamus for performances in Áras an Uachtaráin, including at the State dinner held in honour of their Majesties, the King and Queen of the Netherlands in June 2019, on which occasion he was accompanied on vocals by his daughter Méabh and on guitar by Donogh Hennessy.
“As with all those who knew Séamus, we will remember him for his talent, his warmth and his sense of fun, that lasting impression which he left on all those who he met. He will be deeply missed.
“May I express my deepest condolences to his wife Mary, to his children Breandán, Eoin, Niall and Méabh, to his extended family and to his wide circle of friends and musical colleagues.”
Speaking on RTÉ's Morning Ireland, fellow musician and friend Donal described his devastation over the loss of Mr Begley "a larger-than-life figure", saying that his death "leaves a huge void" in the world of traditional music.
READ MORE: Four food businesses ordered to close over health concerns including kitchen at popular Dublin pub
“Seamus was larger than life and I think everybody I know is devastated by his passing, in fact it leaves a huge void on the traditional scene, he occupied a great space,” he said.
“He was a beloved man, he was always up for the craic, as well as being a musician, a native speaker and being a beautiful singer as well as player, he was almost like a court jester, like a joker, he was full of fun and satire.
“He would subvert many a solemn occasion with some ridiculous joke which would bring the house down, he was a mighty figure.”
Speaking about his talent, Lunny explained how Seamus was a natural and that he was central to the heritage of Irish music.
“He was a natural entertainer, and there was no real difference between his daily life and being on a stage, he performed all the time but in the most natural way. He never missed a bit of craic and he was beloved for that,” he said.
“I remember the first time I heard the album he made with Steve Cooney called Meitheall, and hearing him sing in this beautiful angelic voice, a really beautiful voice Seamus had, and that was an amazing album that kind of, I think, put him on the scene in a more general way.
“With regard to the heritage, he was central to that as well, I think everyone is suddenly aware of how much space Seamus occupied in the soul of the country.”
Sharon Shannon described the "amazing power" in Begley's music.
“I have known him since I was 17, when I ended up in the Gaeltacht when I was studying Irish in UCC.
“I somehow ended up at his house playing tunes and he was so welcoming, always so welcoming to young musicians, and encouraging. We have been friends ever since.
“My God I just can’t believe it, he was like a second father to me, I absolutely adored him, I idolised him.
“His music had amazing power, he could lift the roof off any house or pub session, and made just a dynamite atmosphere anywhere he went,” she said.
“Then when he would sing, it was the most beautiful, effortless singing that was really calm, you would hear a pin drop in even the most noisy pubs when he would start singing.
“As well as all that, he was absolutely brilliant craic, really hilarious, incredibly quick witted, he would make you cry laughing, you would belly laugh for hours when you were in his company.
“The most enjoyable times in my life that I could think of was always in his company, he was funnier than any comedian.”
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said, "Séamus Begley was loved throughout Ireland and in particular his beloved west Kerry. He was one of the most accomplished accordion players we have ever seen. He was a gifted story teller and remained close to his Gaeltacht roots.
"Renowned for his versatility, Séamus had an ability to collaborate with musicians who had no background in traditional Irish music. In doing so he helped to put our culture on the world stage. My sincere condolences to his wife Mary and his children. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam."
Posting on social media last night Mike Scott of the Waterboys said that Séamus Begley was "the finest of all Irish musicians, and perhaps the most beautiful singer I’ve ever heard… he was a friend, a king and a god."
Daniel O’Donnell also paid tribute, saying: “Very sad to hear of the passing of Seamus Begley.
"It was an honour to have him on Opry an Iuir. Deepest sympathy to his family. RIP Seamus. A true legend of Irish music."
Known as The Bold Kerryman, Mr Begley was regarded as one of the country’s best accordion players and was also a talented singer who could sing in both English and Irish.
Recalling his early childhood playing in local halls when he was a teenager, he previously said: “It was great for us, because there were no pubs in those days, not for young people, and there were céilis seven nights a week during the summer, and we learned the Irish dances from these strangers, or Gael Linns as we called them, na scolairi.
We didn’t even know the Kerry set, the old fellas knew them, but my mother and father would do a set and a waltz, that was it.
“I used to sit halfway down the hall, tearing the arse out of a tiny little button accordion to have any hope of being heard with all the laughing and screaming, and the fella calling the dance, ‘isteach agus amach’. That was the style the old fellas had as well. There was no emphasis on grace notes – in my case, it’s more like disgrace notes. “Volume was the main thing, if you hadn’t volume, you weren’t worth listening to.”
The Ballydavid native comes from a line of musicians as his father was the famous accordionist Bhreandáin Bheaglaoich.
Seamus recorded his first album in 1973 with his sister Máire.
He released album Meitheal in 1992 with Australian guitarist Steve Cooney, who he played with over several years, while he also played and toured extensively with Cork guitarist Jim Murray.
In a post on Twitter, The Wolfe Tones offered their "sincere condolences" to Séamus' family and friends.
Comedian Pat Shortt also commented through his Twitter page, stating, "So sad to hear Seamus Begley has passed. A great musician but an incredible character that brought so much joy to everyone through Irish music It was pure craic being in his company. Rip Seamus and condolences to his family and extended Trad family."
RTÉ star John Creedon also took to Twitter to pay tribute to Begley.
“Mo comhbróin le chlann agus le chairde Séamus Begley,” Creedon wrote.
“We had so much ceol, craic agus downright pléicaíocht i rith na mbliana. I’m genuinely going to miss this giant of a man. What we wouldn’t give for one last encore, ach tá sé ar shlí na firinne anois. Slán a chara.”
RTE star Marty Morrissey said: "So sorry to hear of the passing of Seamus Begley. What a fantastic accordion player and singer.
"Anyone who loves traditional music will be deeply saddened by his loss. A really lovely West Kerry man who loved his native soil. My deepest sympathies to his family."
Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media Catherine Martin described the west Kerry man as "a music icon for over 50 years", adding that his music was "deeply rooted in his beloved home place of Corca Dhuibhne."
And Irish language pop band Seo Linn commented to say: "RIP Séamus Ó Beaglaoich. An-bhrónach é seo a chloisteáil. Cailliúint ollmhór é. Go raibh suaimhneas síoraí air. Ag cuimhniú anois ar chairde agus ar chlann Shéamuis. Very sad to hear. A massive loss. Thinking of Séamus' friends and family."
Funeral details have yet to be announced.
READ NEXT :
Met Eireann forecasts washout week ahead with frequent showers and rain
Missing Amy Fitzpatrick's mother says she knows in her gut she is dead
INMO says hospital overcrowding should be treated as 'national crisis'
Woman spends less than €30 a week on food shopping with one thrifty tip
Woman saves €450 on her bill by turning off one energy draining appliance
Get breaking news to your inbox by signing up to our newsletter
