Teacher and Musician
Michael Shanley was born in the townland of Sheebeg – his father Packie Shanley was a carpenter and his mother, Katie (nee Gill) was a great melodeon player.
Both parents played a role in influencing Michael. He qualified as a woodwork teacher and was a talented carpenter and he also turned his attention to the music and melodeon playing. Himself and his mother played for many house dances, parties and weddings and Michael was also one of the founding members of The Kiltubrid Pipe Band.
Michael taught woodwork for years in Kiltyclogher where he eventually became headmaster during the 1960s. Many students remember his playing of the button accordion at lunch times whilst they would dance the Stack of Barley or Walls of Limerick.
The Clackam Press
In the early 60s Michael started a printing press called “The Clackam Press” which printed posters advertising concerts, festivals and events across Leitrim and Fermanagh.
Trouble in Kiltyclogher
In 1973 the technical school in Kiltyclogher, where Michael was principal, was a victim of the Northern Ireland conflict and was destroyed in an explosion. Watch this video from the RTÉ Archives, which focuses on the village and features Michael Shanley near the end of the footage.
Master Shanley’s Legacy
As a great promoter and organiser of events, Michael really enriched the area with music. He founded the Sean McDermott branch of Comhaltas and he was also instrumental in bringing Ciarán MacMathuna to Kiltyclogher in the 1950s to record a programme for Radio Eireann called “Job of Journeywork”.
He founded and played with the local Sean MacDiarmada Céilí Band and organised music classes for youngsters that competed and played at Fleadhanna and concerts all over the country. He also adjudicated accordion and Céilí Band competitions at all levels and instilled a love of traditional music in his own family, his students and his local community.
Family friend and neighbour, Maurice Lennon wrote a tune in Michael’s honour called “Master Shanleys” which can be heard here – Maurice also speaks of his respect for Michael who brought him all around to different music events in Leitrim in his old Fiat – the first tune he wrote for his father, Ben Lennon.
