Tom McKenna making a presentation to Donie and Betty Lyons on behalf of West Limerick Singing Club.
Donie was born and reared in Dromreask, Glin and continues to live there with his wife Betty. He was reared in a house of traditional music where his grandfather, who played the flute and concertina, had a big influence on Donie’s musical development. From the age of eight Donie showed great musical prowess going on the wren with the local wren boys. Later Donie would meet with Thomas “Buddy” Furey of Glenagragra in Glin, a noted fiddle player, and they played a lot of music together. Donie is also a well known traditional singer and has competed at county, Munster and All Ireland fleadhanna in both music and singing with great success. Donie has also played at many fleadhanna throughout Ireland and has toured Ireland, England, the USA and Canada with Comhaltas. He has been a member of the West Limerick Singing Club since it was founded in 2002 and continues to be a stalwart of west Limerick singing and is well known for singing songs of the area. Donie is first and foremost a gentleman and is always willing to pass on his impressive repertoire. The West Limerick Singing Club are delighted to honour Donie at this year’s Garry McMahon Traditional Singing Weekend, in recognition of his contribution to sean nós singing over the years. The presentation took place in Fr. Casey’s GAA club on Sunday 18th October.