Proinsias Ó Maonaigh
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Proinsias Ó Maonaigh or Francie Mooney (1922-2006) was a fiddler from County Donegal, Ireland. He is world-famous for his electrifying fiddling and his unique and vast contribution to Irish music and culture.
[edit] Early life
Born in Gweedore in 1922 as the youngest of eight children, he was a son of famous musician from the area Róise Mhór who would have played with an Píobaire Mór Tarlach Mac Suibhne. It was an Irish speaking household, as is the whole of Gweedore, and traditional music was nurtured within the home and they were taught many Irish songs.
[edit] Career
He taught at Luinneach primary school in Gweedore from 1967 until his retirement in 1996. He also taught many locals how to play the fiddle right up to the age of 82.
He married a Gweedore woman, Kitty Ní Ghallchóir, and they have three children: Gearóid, Mairéad and Áine (or Anna).
Francie was also a keen Gaelic footballer and contributed greatly to the local and county GAA.
Proinsias was loyal and dedicated to everything Irish and Gaelic, and tried to nurture Irish music and the Irish language in young people motivating them to have love for their own culture and traditions.
He is world-renowned for his unique skills at song-writing and he is credited for such working as "Francie Mooney's German", "Francie Mooney's Mazourka" and "Francie Mooney's Highland".
His most famous song was a heart-warming song he wrote about his hometown Gweedore, called "Gleanntáin Ghlas' Ghaoth Dobhair". It is used as an anthem by local people especially, but it has captured the hearts of many outsiders also. It has been performed by singers such as Altan, Paul Brady, Brian Kennedy and Clannad.
In 2003 he was honoured by the Oireachtas when he was the president of the Letterkenny event.
Proinsias Ó Maonaigh died on the 29th of March 2006, after suffering a brief illness. His funeral was one of the biggest ever seen in County Donegal, and acts such as Skara Brae, Altan, Paul Brady and Clannad paid tribute to the great legend at the requiem mass in Derrybeg.
[edit] His legacy
He has left a huge legacy behind him, he is partly responsible for the success of local stars such as Enya, Clannad and Skara Brae.
But it is his family that has made the biggest mark on the traditional music scene. His daughter Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh is the lead and founding member of internationally recognised group Altan. His son Gearóid is known for his musical talents also and his grandson Ciarán Ó Maonaigh is the recipient of the 2003 TG4 Musician Of The Year Award.
