~t:.lilt l=- '~li - Comhaltas Archive

TREOIRA Manof Reelsand EelsLast year Fleadh Cheoil Thir Eoghainwas hosted by the Coalisland/Clonoebranch and when the subject ofchoosing a fleadh patron arose at oneof the preparatory meetings therewas no debate. One name wasechoed by all with the unanimouschoice being Tommy John Quinn.Tommy John is an accomplishedaccordion player with over 70 yearsexperience in the field. At the age ofseven he first picked up the mouthorgan before moving on to amelodeon borrowed from his auntLiza Quinn. Showing promise andtalent his father travelled to theShankill Road and bought him a PaoloSoprano button accordion at £3.1 Os.From the 1940's he became involvedwith playing in Ceil! and dance bandsand at present is an integral memberof the Ardmore Ceil! Band. His ownfamily were introduced to traditionalmusic with sons Pat and John familiarfaces on the music scene. Teachingbutton accordion over the years hehas passed on his craft to many.A well-known figure the length andbreadth of Ireland, playing atfleadhanna and seisuin near and far, heis normally one of the last to leave.Tommy John is a recognisable face ofTreoir and has frequently appearedmore than once in the same issue. Heis accustomed to accompanyingdancers at feiseanna, has been both acompetitor and adjudicator in Sc6rand has adjudicated Read6irf.In Fleadh competitions he has beenUlster Senior Melodeon champion onmore than one occasion and hasattained success at All Ireland level.A former secretary ofCoalisland/Clonoe CCE, he is still avaluable, diligent committee memberpromoting and cultivating traditionalmusic in the locality and beyond.Dungannon and South TyroneBorough Council have formallyhonoured his contributions at arecent ceremony when anAchievement Award was bestowedupon him. Truly a man of many talentsTommy John has been a commendableambassador for his native LoughShore area. A fisherman raised inDerrylaughan at the Blackwater river,he has a wealth of knowledge, talesand stories from the locality, hiscompany and music warming many afireside. In December 2003, hecelebrated his eightieth birthday, anoccasion that warranted specialacknowledgement.Saturday 10 th January 2004 saw aspecial evening being held in hishonour. The evening kicked off withthe man himself and some of hisfamily and friends taking part in theTommy Sand's Country Ceil!programme on Downtown Radio.Tommy John was interviewed about'+6