The Musical Bradys

An interesting sidelight on the Bradys of Gaigue emerges from research on the evolution and transmission of traditional music in the North Longford / South Leitrim area[1]. Focussing on the central role of fiddle master Thomas Kernan (c.1807-1887), Dr Conor Ward’s PhD thesis demonstrates how Kernan’s music and his methods of teaching were passed down through successive generations of fiddle players, thereby creating a localised sub-culture of fiddle music. The Bradys of Gaigue were among the important carriers of this tradition, and Dr Ward’s research, using both documentary sources and oral history throws new light on the relationships and interests of this extended family beyond what can be obtained from the dry details of births, marriages and death.​

​

Three grandsons of Philip1 Brady are believed to have been pupils of Thomas Kernan. Peter3, son of Philip2 (b. 1859); 'Red' Phil3, son of John2(b. 1864); and Patrick3, son of Terence2 (b. 1861) were first cousins of each other, and being about the same age, it is likely that they were taught together. It was the custom then for a 'fiddle master' to stay in a particular area for a month or so, lodging in a local house in return for teaching music to its children while charging others for tuition. 

​

Though much of the transmission of Irish traditional music was oral, Kernan and some of his pupils could read music, and some manuscripts of his tunes have survived. These were not his own compositions, but collections of popular tunes which he would have used as teaching aids, and his pupils would transcribe as part of their learning. One collection of these is closely associated with the Brady family. It was in the possession of Francis Reynolds (1862-1946) who obtained it from his uncle, Patrick O'Farrell. Francis married Mary Brady, sister of Patrick3 and Bridget Brady Boyle. As Mary's brother and cousins were all musically inclined, as was Francis, music may well have been the 'food of love' in this instance!.

​

Francis had a varied and unsettled career. In 1901 he was a school teacher, but by 1911 he has 'retired'. His teaching career started early, as he is noted as a monitor at the age of 10 in Gaigue National School (teacher training then often started with a period of apprenticeship as a monitor). In the 1880s, he is to be found at a range of addresses in County Fermanagh, presumably in teaching posts,  He and Mary Brady are married in 1891, when he was living at Johnson's Bridge, County Leitrim. By 1901 they are in Roosky, County Leitrim (and young John4 Boyle is with them on census night - they had no children of their own).  In 1911 they are living with Patrick3 in Gaigue, and Francis describes himself as a 'retired commercial traveller', though only 49 years old.  This may appear that he had made enough money to live in ease and comfort, but the opposite was the case. He is reported to have set up in business as a grocer in Ballinalee, but the business failed, and his 'retirement' may have been compulsory rather than planned. 

​

Tragedy struck in 1914, when Mary died of cancer, aged only 50. Shortly afterwards, Francis left Ireland to join his brother Peter and sister Philomena in the USA, where he found employment as a sales representative. He died in Des Moines, Iowa in 1946.

​

Francis was proud of his O'Farrell ancestry, through his mother. He often signed his name ' Francis O'Farrell Reynolds, and his branch of the O'Farrells claimed direct descent for the medieval O Fearghail lords who ruled the area before the confiscations of the 17th century.

Mary's brother Patrick3 was regarded locally as a competent, if not a dazzling fiddler: One local commented: he "used to play a tune ‘Greg’s Pipes’. He had an air, a selection of reels that he could play, and he could play them fairly good. He wasn’t a dramatic kind of a player, ya know. But he was all right, he had all the notes. And he’d play nothing else!"

Another recalled that Patrick used to play for the choir in their local church.. She added that Patrick was held in high regard in their community due to his position as Justice of Peace in the local Ballinamuck court.

​

Probably a more accomplished musician was his cousin 'Red' Phil. He is believed to have taught the fiddle to several members of the younger generation in Gaigue in the early 20th century. 'Red' Phil's wife died before him, and when some visitors voiced their disapproval at him for playing music at his wife's wake, he retorted   ‘sure there is music in Heaven!'