Miscellaneous
There have been warm tributes to the late Jerry Lynch, who passed away this weekend. Jerry was born and reared in the townland of Clogher, three miles due south of Kilfenora in Co. Clare, a village famous for it’s tradition of ceili music. Over the years many of his ancestors have played with the Kilfenora Ceili Band, including his father P.J, brother Pat and his other brother John is the present band leader. Jerry was a wonderful Irish tenor and has sung at concerts and festivals in Ireland, the U.K and the U.S. He is described locally as a total gentleman. He was also member of Kilfenora Choir and Ennistymon Choral Society. In 1998, Jerry released his first complete album, The Dimming of the Day, produced by his cousin P.J Curtis. To date this album has sold 35,000 units and continues to sell well every Christmas. This is due mainly to the popularity of “ A Silent Night Christmas 1915 ”, a really moving song about The Christmas Truce in WW 1. It was written by Cormac McConnell from Enniskillen. He featured with a host of other artists on the Clare (Banner) anthem written by Tim Collins "Clare, My Heart My Home" which was launched during Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann in Ennis 2017. In 2019 the Kilfenora Ceili Band launched there latest album "Both Sides Now", Jerry sang two songs on the album "Crusader" and "John O'Dreams". (Attached) and toured around the country with the Kilfenora to launch the new album. This year, Jerry's daughter Kathleen Malone launched a charity album "My Island Home", all proceeds from this CD will go to Burren Chernobyl Project, she mentions in the notes of the album, that she is so happy her Dad, Jerry, sang "Whispering Hope" and "You'll Never be the sun" with her on the album. Jerry is a huge loss to the traditional and choral music community and will be greatly missed. Tim Collins of the Kilfenora Ceilí Band spoke with Gavin on Monday's Morning Focus to pay tribute to Jerry Lynch.