One of Leitrim’s best-known musicians and composers of traditional tunes was fiddle player and composer Joe Liddy. Born in Killargue in the early 1900’s, Joe, known as “The Leitrim Fiddler” came from a musical family and played with many of the greatest players from Leitrim and further afield.
Liddy’s Loft
According to a short article from “Killargue History and Heritage” by Padraic Cullen published in 1998
“Liddy’s Loft is situated in the townland of Cornamarve. It was built by the Liddy family…… The Liddy brothers made a live broadcast on National Radio during the late 1930’s. Many Céilí dances were hosted in the Loft around this period.”
Leitrim Guardian 1988
This Leitrim Guardian article from 1988 gives us a little more of the picture.
For an in-depth look at Joe Liddy’s background, his life and his musical endeavours, here are two articles that give us a good insight.
The Life and Music of Joe Liddy R.I.P.
A talk given by Peadar O Lochlainn at Joe Mooney Summer School Drumshanbo, Co. Leitrim on July 19th 1993
Leitrim Observer
An article from Leitrim Observer from 22nd April 1992 after he passed away.
Joe Liddy Leitrim Observer Tribute
The Belhavel Trio
In 1924, Joe joined the Gardaí Síochána and was soon recruited by the Garda Céilí Band.
https://garda-post.com/musical-memories-the-garda-ceili-band/
In the 1930’s he joined with his brother Tommy and with Ned Gorman to form “The Belhavel Trio” who were very popular in the 30s and 40s. They recorded three 78’s and appeared on Radio Eireann many times.
Here you can listen to two recordings of The Belhavel Trio from Ward Irish Music Archives
Leitrim Library Local Studies
Leitrim Library’s local studies section holds two recordings that you can access here that showcase the Belhavel Trio, Joe Liddy’s own compositions and his opinions on various aspects of traditional music and his musical life.
SET DANCE: “The Job of Journeywork”
REELS: “The Boys of Ballisodare” “The Longford Collector”
REELS: “The Ashplant” “The Merry Harriers” “The Hunt in the Bog”
JIGS: “Bryan O’Lynn” “The Rakes of Clonmel”
HORNPIPES: “The Plains of Boyle” “Tim the Turncoat”
REELS: “Sporting Paddy” “Mullingar Races” “The Hunter’s Purse”
Speaks about the Belhavel Trio
Speaking about The Belhavel Trio and its recordings
JIGS: “Bryan O’Lynn” “The Rakes of Clonmel”
Talking about The Gramophone Company with whom Joe recorded, and his recordings with them
Continues to talk about the recordings of The Belhavel Trio.
HORNPIPES: “The Plains of Boyle” “Tim the Turncoat”
Speaking on why the trio made only six recordings in 1938
REELS: “The Ashplant” “The Merry Harriers” “The Hunt in the Bog”
Talking about his life and times – Joe identifies the dances and type of music required for them. He goes on to speak about the musicians who influenced him. He describes how he started playing the fiddle; his leaving Killargue; playing music in Dublin and the forming of The Belhavel Trio and joining The Kincora Ceili Band and The Garda Band, and playing the French Horn in a military band
HORNPIPE: “The Big Tree” which he composed
Speaking about his own compositions, how he started composing and the names of the tunes. He also gives an outline of the characteristics of the music in Leitrim. He also talks about involvement with Comhaltas and The Pipers Club in Thomas St. He goes back to play one of his compositions “The Journey by Train”
REEL: “The Journey by Train”
Joe talks about his difficulty when not practicing. He goes on to discuss the state of traditional music at the time of the interview. He goes on to give good advice to young musicians: “listen to good musicians and learn how to read music”
JIG: “The Black Road”
Speaks about the name of the previous tune “The Black Road”
REEL: “Kilcoon”, another of his compositions.
Joe talks about the name of the previous tune “Kilcoon” and an accident he had in the area of Kilcoon. He goes on to again talk about the naming of his tunes and how he keeps trying to improve a tune with little changes.
REEL: “The Steampacket”
Joe talking about meeting Jim Coleman, Michael Coleman’s brother, and also about meeting a brother of James Morrison, Frank.
REEL: “Bunch of Keys”
Link to Irish Dance Music LP cover – featuring The Belhavel Trio, John McKenna and others
https://folkways-media.si.edu/docs/folkways/artwork/FW08821.pdf
Liddy’s Compositions
Many of Liddy’s tune names are like a virtual trip around Leitrim and its surrounds:
The Shannon Pot
Drumany Turn
The Five Crossroads
The Road to Glencar
Gortleitragh
Lough Gill
The Breffni Castle
Quinn’s Bush….
Click the links to the titles that are available in the Irish Traditional Music Archives
Joe Liddy’s Compositions 246 Irish Dance Tunes and One Waltz
Leitrim Library local studies section holds a copy of Joe Liddy’s compositions in one bound folder – 103 that appear in “The Leitrim Fiddler” as published by Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann in 1981(picture) and 143 others.
This book is widely available in music shops throughout Ireland.
Joe Liddy’s Legacy
Joe Liddy lives on in his music, with many musicians performing and recording his tunes.
Mairéad Corridan with “Paddy Lynn’s Delight” and “Palmer’s Gate”
Breanna Brown from St. Louis, Missouri playing “The Red Bee”
Oisín MacDiarmada with “The Garavogue Reel”
Ruadhraí O Kane with “The Kilcloon”, “The Red Bee” and “Palmer’s Gate”
