Ireland - Comhaltas Archive

TREOIRPADRAIG 6 GRUAGAI NMany people in the Tyrone areaare still coming to terms withthe untimely death of OwenSmith the prominent Omaghbusiness man. His "Owencraft"works of art are treasured byaesthetes everywhere but themusical world will long cherishthe memorable evenings of eeol,song and story at mightysessions in "Teach Eoghain" inthe centre of rural mid-Ulster.Owen was a big man in every sense,phYSically, intellectually, culturally andspiritually. But like all people of geniushe did not have to flaunt it to makean impression. His business empirestretched from Derry to Kerry andbeyond into the international marketbut he was happier sharing a story orsong by the fireside in Fernagh thanmaking a presentation at a t rade fairin New York City.And it was in Fernagh cottage outsideOmagh that we, the music familyArtist DJ Fox recordsa moment from thesession at FernaghOwen Smith with stone builders constructingnew barn at Fernagh cottagecame to know Owen Smith best. In aclachan-like enclosure of pillars,cottage, sheds and barn he hadcreated his own cultural centre, analternative folk park for theenthusiasts in the know. To Owen'scitadel of slate, stone and wood onstar-studded silver white nights andon balmy midge-filled evenings insummer we trundled. The memorieslive on of those heady days whenentertainment was produced with aspontaneity and verve that could onlybe hoped for again."White-washed walls be-deckedwith coutrements of a long lostage,Griddles, tongs and knick-knacksreverberating to the sound ofwords sage,Songs, old as Mullagharn or newverses about the woes of awoman's heart,Oblivious to pot-bellied stoveglowing arrogant ly in a worldapart."There was something so convivialabout the whole setting, thetraditional cottage, the smell of theturf smoke, the horses in the stablesand the throbbing music carrying onthe night air."The atmosphere's grand as youcome on the street,There's a hearty handshake and asmile as they meet,The horses they 'nichir' across thehalf door,You can throw care away when yourfoot hits the floor.""Owen Smith makes you welcome,he greets you with glee,A gentleman scholar, the real fear atoighe.'Come up to the fire, put your backto the wall,This place is for craic, for big andfor small'."The amazing thing about the clientelewas that they came from all arts andparts, even though the events werenever publicly advertised. But he hadcontacts in all corners of Ireland anda brief invitation was enough to letthe aficionados know that an "ofchem6r" was being planned. His widecircle of friends locally felt obliged toensure that the good name of the21