*Chris Droney.

One of Clare’s greatest musicians, Chris Droney has died at the age of 95.

Born in Bellharbour in 1924, Chris is regarded as a legendary concertina player. Over his near nine decade music career, he has been acknowledged with many prestigious accolades including the TG4 Grádam Saoil award for lifetime achievement; a CCÉ Bardic Award, a Teastas award, the Clare Person of the Year Award in 2012 and the 2018 MÓRglór award.

From 1956 onwards, he would become a ten-time senior All-Ireland concertina champion, nine of which were solo efforts and one included a duet with fiddler Gus Tierney. Droney travelled the country and the world playing music. He played alongside the Bell Harbour Céilí Band, the Kilfenora Céilí Band, the Ballinakill Céilí Band, Augrim Slopes and the Kincora Céilí Band throughout his career. He also released three solo recordings, The Flowing Tide, (1962), The Fertile Rock, (1995) and Down From Bell Harbour, (2005).

His father, James and Grandfather Michael also played concertina and Chris learnt by ear from the age of eight. He began his musical career by learning two tunes The Wearing of the Green and Clare’s Dragoons.

Johnson’s Hall in Kinvara was where Chris made his first public appearance as a musician, for this he was paid half a crown.

Chris Droney & Ann Kirrane. Photograph: Martin Connolly

Both his son Francis and daughter Ann continued the family tradition of winning All-Ireland titles on the concertina. Many of his grandchildren have maintained this legacy on the concertina and others on the fiddle. The Droney family played to a packed glór as part of the Consairtín an Chláir lunchtime series during the 2017 Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann in what was viewed as one of the highlights of the traditional music festival.

Earlier this week, a picture of Chris and his great granddaughter Líobhan the daughter of Aoibhin Garrihy and John Burke was shared online with both pictured smiling to the caption “what a precious life” and was subsequently covered by national media outlets who coined it ‘an adorable photograph’.

Funeral details have yet to be announced following his sudden passing overnight.

Related News

Culverts, a barrier to fish migration, installed in a stream feeding into River Owenogarney
IFI secures conviction for environmental damage to important river tributary
OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA
6,500 still without water in Clare
francis brennan 2
Judge says it's very hard to walk out of Dunnes Stores with €345 of Francis Brennan bed linen and not be seen' - woman denies theft allegation
rugby balls
Ennis RFC U13s defeat Shannon
Latest News
OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA
6,500 still without water in Clare
francis brennan 2
Judge says it's very hard to walk out of Dunnes Stores with €345 of Francis Brennan bed linen and not be seen' - woman denies theft allegation
rugby balls
Ennis RFC U13s defeat Shannon
EI Shannon 143 HR
Mick Guinee to step down as CEO of Ei Electronics
clare v tyrone 02-06-24 cillian rouine 4
Antrim’s bright start rocks Clare footballers in first league outing
Premium
windfarm
Plans to be lodged for 30 turbine off-shore windfarm in Atlantic off Clare/Galway coast
Trevor Quinn at Ennis Court
Machete attack accused teen unable to take up bail as Council objects to Trevor Quinn staying at a Dublin property - victim '3mm from death
clare v cork final 21-07-24 ryan taylor 1
'Line has been drawn under 2024' says Taylor
clare v cork 05-03-23 eoin cleary 3
Cleary's return a big boost for Clare football
clarecastle homecoming 22-07-24 adam hogan mark rodgers 2
Great opportunity to show Clare panel's depth

Subscribe for just €3 per month

If you’re here, you care about County Clare. So do we. Did you rely on us for Covid-19 updates, follow our election coverage, or visit The Clare Echo every week for breaking news and sport? The Clare Echo invests in local journalism and we want to safeguard its future in our county. By becoming a subscriber you are supporting what we do, will receive access to all our premium articles and a better experience, while helping us improve our offering to you. Subscribe to clareecho.ie and get the first six months for just €3 a month (less than 75c per week), and thereafter €8 per month. Cancel anytime, limited time offer. T&Cs Apply. www.clareecho.ie.

Subscribe for just €3 per month

If you’re here, you care about County Clare. So do we. Did you rely on us for Covid-19 updates, follow our election coverage, or visit The Clare Echo every week for breaking news and sport? The Clare Echo invests in local journalism and we want to safeguard its future in our county. By becoming a subscriber you are supporting what we do, will receive access to all our premium articles and a better experience, while helping us improve our offering to you. Subscribe to clareecho.ie and get the first six months for just €3 a month (less than 75c per week), and thereafter €8 per month. Cancel anytime, limited time offer. T&Cs Apply. www.clareecho.ie.

Scroll to Top