North Antrim Singers

[Ptarmigan]

North Antrim Singers are sadly thin on the ground these days. However, at one time North Antrim was full of traditional singers, in the days before the T V took over our lives!

For example, North Antrim singers mentioned as sources, in the 1920's & 30's, for Sam Henry’s famous collection ‘Songs of the People’, include:

Bushmills: Mrs D Cochrane, John Corscadden, Valentine Crawford, William Gault, Randal Hutchinson, Alex Kane, John Leighton, James McCaughan, Joe McConaghy, John McLeese, John McQuillan, Edward Montgomery, James Moore, William Russel, Martin Smylie,
Alexander Thompson & John Wilkinson.

Portballintrae: John Horner & Robert MacMullan.

Ballymoney: James Currie, William Doey, David A Forsyth, Mrs R Kirkpatrick, Sam Laverty, Sally McConaghy, David J McGoogan, Mary McKeever, William Moran, Mrs Morrison, Joseph Reilly, Mrs S Warnock, Annie Wilson, Joe Wilson, James Stewart & Alex Crawford.

Rathlin Island: Lizzie MacMullan.

Ballycastle: William Davidson, John Henry McAuley, P C J McAuley, Francis McBride, Peggy McGarry, Hector McIlfatrick, J MacKinnon, John McLaughlin, Robet Orr & Mrs Scally.

Armoy: Ann McAleese, Lizzie Reynolds & William Gamble.

Mosside: Alexander Horner.

Liscolman: Mary Ann Young & John Moore.

Ballybogey: Violet McAfee

Dervock: Eileen Campbell, Mrs Simpson,

Stranocum: William Laverty & Mrs Charles Moore

Clough: John Smylie

Cloughmills: Patrick McMullan

Dunloy: Andrew Doey & William Moore

Sam Henry’s collected songs of the people were collected by him and published in the ‘Northern Constitution’ between 1923 & 1939. The book ‘Songs of the People contains nearly 690 songs.

Sam Henry's "Songs of the People" was edited by Gale Huntington, Lani Herrman with contributions from John Moulden. (University of Georgia Press)

Previously highly regarded but known only from scrapbook copies compiled by Sam Henry for the Belfast Public Library, The National Library of Ireland and the Library of Congress, this, the first book publication, has been presented with the music in staff notation, an introduction, notes and references and extensive indices. The basic collection for the North of Ireland.

For more information, visit John Moulden at:

'Ulstersongs'

At the Causeway Dulcimer Festival, John Moulden gave a fascinating Talk on the Songs & Singers of the Bushmills area at last years C D F and for details of that, and other talks, you should visit the Talks & Recitals Page

Unfortunately, now ballad singing has taken the place of the traditional song, so gone are the great days when wonderful singers like Joe Holmes of Ballymoney, or Stumpy McCloskey of Cloughmills could have entertained folk all night long with their unaccompanied songs. Incidentally, both of these men were also fine fiddlers too, and Joe was a Lilter of note.

Cheers
Ptarmigan