Post by Ptarmigan on May 17, 2008 15:56:52 GMT
John McLaughlin {The Shadow} ~ Armoy
John, or Sean as he preferred to be called in later life, was easily the most famous fiddler to come from North Antrim. He was from Armoy, and was known far and wide for his many recordings and even won the All-Ireland Senior Fiddle Competition on at least one occasion.
When he was nine he acquired his first violin and was soon in demand for playing at local Ceilidhs. He learned much of his early music from Ballymoney Fiddler James Kealy. During the 2nd World War Sean fought with the 1st Battallion of Royal Ulster Rifles. After the war he came home to Armoy but had to head to England again, looking for work.
In 1957, back home, he won the All-Ireland Senior Fiddle competition, which was in Longford that year. His opponents that year were Sean Gallagher from Donegal and Sean O’Laughlin from Clare. He was last to play and after playing, was asked to stand at the back of the stage while the other two competitors were asked to play again. The audience assumed that Sean had been placed third and that the other two competitors were being asked to play again to decide first & second place, but in fact Sean McLaughlin was the Champion, much to the delight of the crowd.
He was from Armoy and was a great friend of that other legendary Antrim fiddler Sean McGuire R. I. P.
As well as being an excellent Fiddler he also composed a number of lovely tunes like ‘McLaughlin’s Dream’, ‘Golden Shadows’ and McLaughlin’s Lament’. He was a fine painter too and most local folk remember him by his nickname ~ 'The Shadow'.
Cheers
Ptarmigan