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National Folk Singer Mary McPartlan Has Passed Away

Musical Director, Broadcaster and one of Ireland’s great National Folk Singers, Ms Mary McPartlan has passed away in Galway in the early hours of this morning, April 6th 2020. Aged 65 years, Ms McPartlan succumbed to cancer.

Born in Drumkeeran, Co Leitrim, Ms McPartlan was a former member of the folk duo “Calypso” back in the 1970’s, and later worked as a producer for television and stage before conceiving what are now known as the “Gradam Ceoil” TG4 awards. She also produced two seasons of the TG4 series “Flosc”, as well as an Irish traditional music show in Las Vegas in 2003.

In 2004, aged 50, she released a long-awaited debut album, “The Holland Handkerchief”, which was voted MOJO Magazine’s folk album of the year.

In 2010, as part of a National Tour, Ms McPartlan performed at St. Kieran’s Church, here in Cloughjordan, North Co. Tipperary

Ms McPartlan’s love of the music by the Irish traveller, traditional singer and banjo player Margaret Barry led to her producing the play “She Moved Through the Fair: The Legend of Margaret Barry”.

Creative director of the ‘Arts in Action’ programme at NUI Galway (NUIG), in 2013, Ms McPartlan received a Fullbright Scholarship to the US and last year received an Ireland United States Association (IUSA) Distinguished Alumni Award for her outstanding contribution to culture, education and music.

In 2016 she released her last album “From Mountain to Mountain”.

Ms McPartlan is survived by her husband, Paddy Noonan, her two daughters, Mairéad and Méabh, her stepdaughter Niamh, and her stepson David.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a h-anam dilís.

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