Mary McPartlan (8 January 1955 – 6 April 2020)[1] was a traditional Irish singer and musician as well as a music director and producer.
Mary McPartlan | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | 8 January 1955 Drumkeeran |
| Died | 6 April 2020 (aged 65) Galway |
| Nationality | Irish |
| Known for | Traditional Irish music |
Biography
editMary McPartlan was born in 1955 in Drumkeeran, County Leitrim. She founded folk duo Calypso in the 1970s. McPartlan was also the founder of both the Galway singers club An Riabhóg and theatre company Skehana. She was also the administrator of Galway Youth Theatre.
McPartlan worked as a lecturer for University College, Galway (UCG; now the University of Galway). She received a Fulbright Scholarship to Lehman College in the City University of New York in 2013. She taught Creative Arts and Theatre. McPartlan also worked as an arts PR and consultant with her own company Mac P.[2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10]
During the 1990s, McPartlan worked with TG4 to develop the Traditional Irish Music awards, Gradam Ceoil. She worked as a producer and director of musical projects including TG4 music show Flosc, the Arts in Action programme at NUI Galway and the opening of Glór, the national Irish music centre in Ennis, County Clare. McPartlan toured with the Druid Theatre's Seán Tyrell productions of The Midnight Court.[3][4][5][6][8]
In 2004, McPartlan released her debut album The Holland Handkerchief and followed it in 2008 with Petticoat Loose and then in 2016 with From Mountain To Mountain. She was awarded the Ireland United States Association (IUSA) Distinguished Alumni Award for her contribution to culture, education and music.[3][4][5][6][7][11][8]
McPartlan was married to Paddy Noonan, with whom she had two daughters, Mairéad and Meabh. She was also stepmother to Niamh and David. She died on 6 April 2020 after a long cancer illness.[2][3][4][5][6][8]
References and sources
edit- ^ "Mary McPartlan obituary: 'One of the greatest traditional singers of her generation'".
- ^ a b "Folk singer Mary McPartlan has died following an illness". Midwest Radio. 6 April 2020. Retrieved 9 May 2020.
- ^ a b c d "Death announced of folk singer Mary McPartlan". RTE.ie. 6 April 2020. Retrieved 9 May 2020.
- ^ a b c d "RIP Singer Mary McPartlan". The Journal of Music: Irish Music News, Reviews & Opinion | Music Jobs & Opportunities. 6 April 2020. Retrieved 9 May 2020.
- ^ a b c d "Folk singer and broadcaster Mary McPartlan dies at 65". The Irish Times. 21 March 2013. Retrieved 9 May 2020.
- ^ a b c d Siggins, Lorna (6 April 2020). "President pays tribute to 'one of Ireland's great folk singers' Mary McPartlan". Breaking News. Retrieved 9 May 2020.
- ^ a b "Mary McPartlan's 'beautiful voice' for Town Hall Theatre". Connacht Tribune -. Retrieved 9 May 2020.
- ^ a b c d "April". NUI Galway. 7 April 2020. Retrieved 9 May 2020.
- ^ "Visiting Scholar: Celebrated Irish Singer Mary McPartlan". IIS Windows Server. 7 May 2020. Retrieved 9 May 2020.
- ^ "Mary McPartlan". Fulbright. Retrieved 9 May 2020.
- ^ "Music - Review of Mary McPartlan - The Holland Handkerchief". BBC. 1 January 1970. Retrieved 9 May 2020.