Drumkeeran’s Mary McPartlan was born in 1955 and is one of Leitrim’s better known traditional singers, having released albums and toured with theatre groups and musicians, including Sean Keane. She was a powerful advocate for traditional music and artists and was the instigator of TG4’s Gradam awards for traditional Irish music. Sadly, Mary passed away in April 2020 but her legacy lives on through her recordings, writings, educational insights and various productions.
TG4 Series Geantraí
with Seamie O’Dowd (Guitar) and Máirtín O’Connor (Button Accordion), recorded in Campbell’s Tavern, Cloughanover, Co. Galway in 2006.
The Holland Handkerchief & Petticoat Loose
Mary’s first album “The Holland Handkerchief”, produced by P.J. Curtis, was launched in Galway in 2004. Then in 2008 she released her second album which was called “Petticoat Loose” taking its name from a song written for her by long-time friend, poet and playwright, Vincent Woods.
Contribution to the Arts
Living in Galway since 1984 she became a founder member and producer of the Galway theatre company Skehana, co-founded the Galway singers club Riabhóg, and became administrator of the Galway Youth Theatre. For many years, she shied away from front of stage and instead devoted her time to directing and producing various music projects as well as being a wonderful advocate for the traditional arts and artists.
Many tributes were paid to Mary upon her untimely passing in 2020.
Of Saturdays Made Holy
Poem written in memory of Mary by President Michael D. Higgins on May Day 2020
Further Recordings of Mary McPartlan
The NUIG Testostertones
The University of Galway’s male a Capella group paid tribute to Mary with this harmonised arrangement of the track “When I was a Young Girl” which was originally sung unaccompanied by Mary on a video.
