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Tomás Ó Nialláin (c. 1932)- Farmer, Policeman & Melodeon Player – Gort, Co. Galway

If they had to choose their absolute favourite, the cows would probably opt for the Kilfenora Céilí Band. Certainly when Tomás played the Kilfenora’s reels to his cattle, they stood easy and the milk flowed pure and simple. But when he threw on a rock n’ roll record, all Hell broke loose. ‘It had them cracked,’ […]

When Tomás played reels to his cattle, they stood easy and the milk flowed pure and simple. But when he threw on a rock n’ roll record, all Hell broke loose. ‘It had them cracked,’ he recalls. ‘They broke the machines and fences and everything.’ To play it safe, Tomás just sang while he milked and that did the job. ‘Republican ballads,’ he says. ‘Some of the cows sang-a-long.’

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