Denis (Den) McCarthy Causeway
Singer and Musician
by Richard Casey.
57 years in Comhaltas and still going strong, that’s our Den! Denis McCarthy is a man of many parts, singer, drummer accordionist and raconteur. He has given stalwart service to Comhaltas over the years.
His first visit to Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann was in 1962 when the fleadh was held in Gorey. He was, at that time, a newly-qualified creamery manager and was one of the few people in the area who owned a car: a Morris Minor. He brought Seamus Hussey with him. Seamus was a legendary accordion-player from Causeway and member of the original Shannonvale Ceili Band, as was Den himself, on drums. The writer of this article was also a member of that band. To go to Gorey from Causeway in those days was no easy task (there being no motorways or the like). However, having arrived, they heard the best of music, including the famous George Ross, who had made records, when nobody was making them. They also heard the Bunclody Céilí Band.
Den was present at the formation of the first CCE branch in Causeway in Feb. 1960 (the present writer was also present). He was drummer and main singer in the original SVCB for a number of years in the early sixties. At that time he played a Paolo Soprani C/D accordion under the guidance and recommendation of another legendary accordion player from this area, Jerry Flaherty. Jerry had a band of his own The Diamond Dance Band and also played with the original Shannon Vale Céilí Band.
Den often played and sang at house-dances and parties: two that stand out for me were at Powers of The Cashen, where Harry and Liam were excellent musicians on accordion and fiddle, respectively. The other place was at Nolan’s in Lisselton. This was the late Chrissie Nolan’s house; her brother Bobby was and is a virtuoso piano-accordion player. Chrissie, herself, was a stalwart of Comhaltas for many years, writing many articles on music, folklore and local history.
We now come to the early seventies, when Comhaltas was re-formed in Causeway again after a break of several years. The man behind this revival was Nelius Carmody, assisted by his wife Kay, an excellent step-dancer and dancing teacher (The Spillane school of Dancing).
Under their tutelage, Causeway CCE trained and put forward for CCE competitions several ‘sets’, both young and not so young. Their chief musician was Den. I remember he used to call for my accordion whenever his own was under repair.
Causeway CCE won many trophies and medals at that time and even went to provincial level on occasion. Whenever Den was not available, I myself played for them as did Dee Galvin, an accordionist from Dromartin, who now lives in Boston Mass., and plays and teaches music there.
During this period Den’s brother Paddy (now, sadly no longer with us), who was a fine accordionist, played with Paddy McElligott’s Band from Kilflynn. They played regularly in Scartaglin, Gneeveguilla and other Kerry venues. Paddy told the story that the late and great Johnny Leary would often give him a break during the dance, and would play polkas and slides for the dancers: no better man!
During the 1960’s and 70’s Den became acquainted with Tom Carmody, originally from Ballyconry, but who went to live in New York in the 1920’s or thereabouts. (Tom retired to Ballybunion later, where Den met him). While in America,Tom met the legendary James Morrison, a Sligo fiddle player. Tom, who originally played the fiddle, too, was encouraged to switch to the button accordion and subsequently appeared on several records with “The Professor”, as James Morrison was known.
I haven’t mentioned Den’s singing ability yet. Den was, and still is, a fine traditional singer; he sings local songs like Brosna Town, Renagowan, O Kerry How I Love You, etc. However, he also sings well known songs from other parts of the country, for example the Nicky Rackard song from Wexford, Ballyshannon Lane and The Bells of Shandon. In fact Den is constantly adding to his repertoire. He often rings me up, saying he has found a ‘new’ song; the latest being ‘West of the old River Shannon’. We then get together and I work out an accompaniment, if needed.
Den has been involved in almost all the Comhaltas activities of the branch down through the years.The branch has seen a resurgence in recent years, with a lot of adults joining our music class. Whenever we go to perform any where, Den is one of the first we ask .He has travelled far and wide with Causeway CCE performing regularly on the County Fleadh Gig Rig as well as busking competitions and fund raisers. We can always count on Den! He is a regular at our Oicheanta Cheoil and adds much to the occasion.
One event that must be mentioned is the Kerry Fleadh of 2010-11. In 2010 Causeway CCE celebrated its 50th anniversary and it was decided to make a DVD of the occasion. Needless to say Den figured prominently in this. Also, a book was brought out to mark the occasion, and Den wrote an article for this (by the way, a few copies of both are still available!).
We also decided in 2010 to put a Ceili Band forward for the Senior CB competition, and, while a lot of the members were young, Den was on the drums and ‘Yours Truly’ was on the piano. The other members were Sean and Peter O Dwyer,
accordions, Breda Hussey, Triona Casey and Marliza O Dwyer, fiddles, David Leen, Maria Casey and James Casey on flutes.
That band also made a CD at Pat,s Tracs and it turned out quite well.
Den then travelled to Ballybunion in 2012-13 and appeared with the Causeway group on stage at the Tintean and on the Gig-Rig. He also went with the branch to Caherciveen for the 2014-15 Fleadhanna and was a member of the winning street-busking group. He also appeared with the group at the Munster Fleadh in Listowel in July 2016.
In 2016-17 he played in Manor Tralee for a fundraiser for the Kerry Fleadh, as well as at the launch of the Fleadh in the Ashe Hotel in Tralee and on the Gig-rig at The Square.
Another project that Den was involved in was the making of two audio CD’s; one for the Parents and Friends in Listowel and the other for Recovery Haven in Tralee. Both discs sold quite well.
Musicians featured on these CD’s were, Den himself, the present writer, Marie (Power) Lyons, Triona Casey and Joe Drury, Ballyheigue. Here I must also mention Den’s wife Tess, who always welcomes us into their house for sessions and provides us with refreshments.
And so to the present. Den and I have been friends since CCE was first formed in Causeway. We have travelled many roads together to many venues. We often travel to Mairead’s in Moyvane for sessions with Gabriel Fitzmaurice; we went to the Mrs. Crotty Festival in Kilrush and many other “expeditions”.
Den is always a joy to travel with; he is extremely knowledgeable about rural Kerry and time seems to fly when he is in the company.
On a personal note, Den and I meet regularly at the choir at Saturday night’s Mass and, more often than not, he will have a tune or a song that he will have found on the “Net”. “Try that one”, he’ll say, and invariably it will “tickle my fancy”. As I said at the start 57 years and still going strong. So I say to Den “Keep the music and song going agus Go maire tu an cead”.
Footnote: Those who played with the original Shannon Vale Céilí Band included Dr. Mick Sweeney, Harry O Sullivan, Liam Power, Jack Regan, Mick Madden on fiddles; Seamus Hussey, Martin Browne, Richard Casey, Harry Power, Jerry Flaherty on accordions; Den McCarthy, singer and drums; Frank O Doyle, piano.
2017
