Willie Clancy's life and times | SSWC Official Site

Scoil Samhraidh Willie Clancy 2023

Sráid na Cathrach, Co. an Chláir, 1ú Iúil - 9ú Iúil.

The 51st Willie Clancy Summer School, Miltown Malbay, Co. Clare, Ireland. Saturday 1st July to Sunday 9th July, 2023.

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Willie Clancy: his life and times

Willie Clancy in the mid 1960s. Photo by Mick O'Connor.

Jimmy Ward (banjo), Ciarán Mac Mathúna (standing), Junior Crehan (fiddle) and Willie Clancy, late 1960s.

Pipers gather at the second annual Na Píóbairí Uilleann Tionól at Bettystown, Co. Meath in 1969. Willie Clancy is seated front row far left.
Photo courtesy of NPU.

Pádraig Ó Mathúna and Willie Clancy with Irish dancers at the 1951 Celtic Congress in Brittany,
Photo courtesy of Pádraig Ó Mathúna.

Willie Clancy (right) with friends travelling to or from the 1951 Celtic Congress in Brittany.
Photo by Pádraig Ó Mathúna.

Willie Clancy (right) with Irish dancers attending the 1951 Celtic Congress in Brittany.
Photo by Pádraig Ó Mathúna.

The Rowsome Quartet, circa 1952, with Leo and Leon Rowsome seated, Seán Seery and Willie Clancy standing.
Photo courtesy of Helena Rowsome-Grimes and NPU.

Willie Clancy playing the tin whistle for Denis 'The Weaver' Murphy (left) and Pádraig O'Keeffe (centre), Killarney Co. Kerry, early 1960s.
Photo courtesy of NPU.

John Falsey, Joe Cuneen and Michael Falsey, 1940s.

The Tulla Céilí Band pictured after winning the 1947 Oireachtas na Mumhan Prize with (l. to r.) P. Joe Hayes, Francie Donnellan, Paddy Canny, Paddy O'Donoghue (seated), Seán Reid (holding cup), Jack Murphy, Jim O'Donoghue and Willie Clancy.
Photo courtesy of NPU.

Willie Clancy, late 1960s.
Photo courtesy of NPU.

Bobby Casey, pictured in his 20s. He enjoyed a close friendship with Willie Clancy and they emigrated to London in 1952 together in search of employment during the post war boom there. Willie returned home a few years later but Bobby remained in the UK. He was a constant presence during successive Summer Schools until his death in 2000.

The Laichtín Naofa Céilí Band in the early 1960s.
Standing left to right - Paddy Joe McMahon, Michael Sexton, Junior Crehan, Paddy Galvin, Christy Dixon, Angela Merry.
Seated l. to r. - Willie Clancy, Jimmy Ward, Martin Malone, J.C. Talty, Michael Falsey, Martin Talty, Colm O'Connor.

Pat Cash (right) with Johnny Doran. Willie was inspired to take up the pipes after hearing Johnny playing at race meetings in Miltown Malbay in the 1930s.
Photo courtesy of NPU.

Liam Ó Floinn (left) playing with Willie Clancy in the early 1970s.
Photo by Mal Whyte.

Junior Crehan (fiddle)and Josie Hayes (flute) playing at the Dunsallagh Feis, near Miltown Malbay, in the 1930s.

Pipers gathered at the 1972 Tionól in Termonfeckin, Co. Louth. Willie Clancy sits at the front, sixth from the left. This would be his last Tionól as he died in January 1973.
Photo courtesy of NPU.