P. J. Crotty has lost his battle
with leukemia. P. J. was one of those figures ,who was held in the highest
esteem by the traditional music community in Ireland, and abroad, as an
outstanding fluteplayer and cornerstone of Clare music.
Hopefully not a broken link, but a space of many links where once there was one great one. Mr. Crotty shared his music with many, and many know his music, even if only from recordings, and his charm, even if only from stories. Sympathies to his friends.
Thanks Martin for the news. P.J. was a young man only in his 50's. Terrible for his family and friends.
His musical legacy is huge. Have a listen to a CD he made recently with fiddle player James Cullinane and Carol on piano. Super playing. His influence will live on.
FIDDLECASE
Although I never met P.J., I have dear friends who are either friends or cousins of his. He is highly thought of, spoken of and fondly remembered, a man who lived in the moment - not in the past or in the future. His memory will live on and his musical legacy will continue here in New York City, as in many other parts of the world. Our deepest sympathies to Angela (nee Crehan) and his family. Ar dheis De go raibh a anam.
I’m very sorry to hear about this sad news. PJ was one of the first tutors I learned from at the Willie Clancy School flute classes in the early 1980s. A great exponent of Co. Clare flute-playing, and a real gentleman, with a great wit and sense of humour.
He confessed to the class the morning following the flute and whistle recital that he he’d been physically shaking before going on stage to play, but play he did. I still listen to the tapes from that concert and his class. He played 3 local reels – “Tomaseen O’Dea’s – Dan Breen’s – The Lobster”, and since then for me these were always “PJ Crotty’s reels”. He’ll be sorely missed.
This letter was posted on IRTRAD by Frank Dalton and I thought it would be nice to post it here as well.
Hi Folks,
I know you'll all be sorry to hear that PJ Crotty passed away at the Ennis Hospital on Friday at 11.30 AM. PJ, who was diagnosed with Haematogenous Metastasis TCIPA - (cancer of the blood platelets) about six years ago, remained a real trooper through out the entire ordeal and it was during this time he recorded his wonderful Happy to Meet.
Angela took his remains home to the house Friday evening as is the old custom. Family, close friends and neighbors came to pay their respects and the music started and continued in the house through the night in a a very dignified manner. All who came were served hot Irish stew, sandwiches, cakes, tea, coffee and hot whiskey as it was a cold brutal wintery night in West Clare. On Saturday about 2PM PJ remains were then removed to Friel's funeral parlor in Miltown for a public viewing and I'm told it was just like The Willie Clancy Week as hundred's of musician's flocked into town to pay their respects. At 8PM his remains were then taken to the church in Lahinch where there was a short service. In Ireland it is customary that the casket is left in the church overnight on the eve before the burial. All in attendance went back to The Atlantic House Hotel in Lahinch and a music session started that lasted all night. Mass was at noon on Sunday and the church was filled with musicians. The Cor Cul Aodha sang the mass in Irish under the direction of Peadar O' Riada. Solo's included Liam Og, Sean Kane, Matt Molloy, and Kevin Crawford.
Before the casket left the church, Angela and her two daughters Fiona and Roisin stepped forward and placed their hands on the casket. Fiona recited a poem, Angela than played a tune on the whistle and when she finished all of the key Irish flute players came forward, encompassed the church and played sets of tunes in unison. I'm told it was the most beautiful sight and sound the one could ever hope to witness. The burial took place in Lahinch and it was short service due to the inclement weather which never let up all weekend. All retreated to the Atlantic House Hotel again in Lahinch for lunch and no doubt that sessiun continues as I type as it is about 7AM Irish time and many of the musician's including my brother Mick had planned to stay on until Monday
It would take me hours to tell you of the great man I knew as PJ Crotty, so, I'll simply sum it up by saying, the man was just like his music, a real gem. Take out his CD and give him a good listen again this week as - Ni beidh a leathaid ann aris....his likes will never be seen or heard again.
P. J. Crotty ,Clare, Fluteplayer ,RIP
P. J. Crotty ,Clare, Fluteplayer ,RIP
P. J. Crotty has lost his battle
with leukemia. P. J. was one of those figures ,who was held in the highest
esteem by the traditional music community in Ireland, and abroad, as an
outstanding fluteplayer and cornerstone of Clare music.
# Posted on January 7th 2005 by Martin Donohoe
Re: P. J. Crotty ,Clare, Fluteplayer ,RIP
Tragic... what a loss. Thanks for letting us know.
# Posted on January 7th 2005 by Phantom Button
Re: P. J. Crotty ,Clare, Fluteplayer ,RIP
Oh geez. My sympathies to those who knew him.
# Posted on January 7th 2005 by Zina Lee
Re: P. J. Crotty ,Clare, Fluteplayer ,RIP
Sorry to hear that, only met him a few times, nice man, another one gone, very sad.
# Posted on January 7th 2005 by Ian Stevenson
Re: P. J. Crotty ,Clare, Fluteplayer ,RIP
A great loss, and another broken link. Ar dheis De go raibh a anam.
# Posted on January 7th 2005 by Backer
Re: P. J. Crotty ,Clare, Fluteplayer ,RIP
Hopefully not a broken link, but a space of many links where once there was one great one. Mr. Crotty shared his music with many, and many know his music, even if only from recordings, and his charm, even if only from stories. Sympathies to his friends.
# Posted on January 7th 2005 by Will CPT
Re: P. J. Crotty ,Clare, Fluteplayer ,RIP
Thanks Martin for the news. P.J. was a young man only in his 50's. Terrible for his family and friends.
His musical legacy is huge. Have a listen to a CD he made recently with fiddle player James Cullinane and Carol on piano. Super playing. His influence will live on.
FIDDLECASE
# Posted on January 9th 2005 by fiddlecase
Re: P. J. Crotty ,Clare, Fluteplayer ,RIP
Although I never met P.J., I have dear friends who are either friends or cousins of his. He is highly thought of, spoken of and fondly remembered, a man who lived in the moment - not in the past or in the future. His memory will live on and his musical legacy will continue here in New York City, as in many other parts of the world. Our deepest sympathies to Angela (nee Crehan) and his family. Ar dheis De go raibh a anam.
# Posted on January 9th 2005 by Ceolagusrince
Re: P. J. Crotty ,Clare, Fluteplayer ,RIP
I’m very sorry to hear about this sad news. PJ was one of the first tutors I learned from at the Willie Clancy School flute classes in the early 1980s. A great exponent of Co. Clare flute-playing, and a real gentleman, with a great wit and sense of humour.
He confessed to the class the morning following the flute and whistle recital that he he’d been physically shaking before going on stage to play, but play he did. I still listen to the tapes from that concert and his class. He played 3 local reels – “Tomaseen O’Dea’s – Dan Breen’s – The Lobster”, and since then for me these were always “PJ Crotty’s reels”. He’ll be sorely missed.
# Posted on January 11th 2005 by Kenny
Re: P. J. Crotty ,Clare, Fluteplayer ,RIP
This letter was posted on IRTRAD by Frank Dalton and I thought it would be nice to post it here as well.
Hi Folks,
I know you'll all be sorry to hear that PJ Crotty passed away at the Ennis Hospital on Friday at 11.30 AM. PJ, who was diagnosed with Haematogenous Metastasis TCIPA - (cancer of the blood platelets) about six years ago, remained a real trooper through out the entire ordeal and it was during this time he recorded his wonderful Happy to Meet.
Angela took his remains home to the house Friday evening as is the old custom. Family, close friends and neighbors came to pay their respects and the music started and continued in the house through the night in a a very dignified manner. All who came were served hot Irish stew, sandwiches, cakes, tea, coffee and hot whiskey as it was a cold brutal wintery night in West Clare. On Saturday about 2PM PJ remains were then removed to Friel's funeral parlor in Miltown for a public viewing and I'm told it was just like The Willie Clancy Week as hundred's of musician's flocked into town to pay their respects. At 8PM his remains were then taken to the church in Lahinch where there was a short service. In Ireland it is customary that the casket is left in the church overnight on the eve before the burial. All in attendance went back to The Atlantic House Hotel in Lahinch and a music session started that lasted all night. Mass was at noon on Sunday and the church was filled with musicians. The Cor Cul Aodha sang the mass in Irish under the direction of Peadar O' Riada. Solo's included Liam Og, Sean Kane, Matt Molloy, and Kevin Crawford.
Before the casket left the church, Angela and her two daughters Fiona and Roisin stepped forward and placed their hands on the casket. Fiona recited a poem, Angela than played a tune on the whistle and when she finished all of the key Irish flute players came forward, encompassed the church and played sets of tunes in unison. I'm told it was the most beautiful sight and sound the one could ever hope to witness. The burial took place in Lahinch and it was short service due to the inclement weather which never let up all weekend. All retreated to the Atlantic House Hotel again in Lahinch for lunch and no doubt that sessiun continues as I type as it is about 7AM Irish time and many of the musician's including my brother Mick had planned to stay on until Monday
It would take me hours to tell you of the great man I knew as PJ Crotty, so, I'll simply sum it up by saying, the man was just like his music, a real gem. Take out his CD and give him a good listen again this week as - Ni beidh a leathaid ann aris....his likes will never be seen or heard again.
Eliz
# Posted on January 12th 2005 by Phantom Button