Vincent O'Halloran - traditional musician who brought the West of Ireland to London

(a slightly edited version of this was printed in the Irish Times of July 5th 2014)

by Anton McCabe

Vincent O’Halloran – Born September 3^rd 1942, died Mary 11^th 2014

Vincent O’Halloran, who has died after a long battle with cancer, was a master of the accordion, and a fine traditional singer, whose gifts made him a fixture on the Irish traditional music scene in London. A native of Inishbofin, Co Galway, he lived his adult life in England.

He was a mainstay of London’s Irish traditional music scene from the 1960s. Traditional music was part of the glue that held the Irish community together in his early days there. Large numbers came to sessions, as places where the Irish gathered.

O’Halloran had both the musical ability and the personality to make a session lively and enjoyable. Wherever he played, he brought the west of Ireland to London. He was an energetic, strong and accurate accordion player. He played jigs and reels with theatrical flourish, but his speciality was waltzes, especially the Cuckoo Waltz. Reg Hall of Topic Records heard him at sessions, and persuaded O’Halloran to make his only record, ‘The Men of the Island’ with his brother Dessie (O’Halloran).

However, his most spectacular performance was while perched on a rock in Inishbofin Harbour. He had gone out in a currach, and climbed up on the rock.

Vincent O’Halloran was born on Inishbofin in the September 1942, youngest of nine children to Martin O’Halloran, a shopkeeper and retired member of the Royal Irish Constabulary, and his wife Jane (née Prendergast). Inishbofin was a musical island, the O’Hallorans part of that music. His mother was a concertina player. As a child, his eldest brother, Christy, taught him the accordion.

His primary education was in the island’s national school, followed by secondary education as a boarder at St Mary’s College in Galway. Soon after secondary school, he moved to London, working as a carpenter. Except for a few years in Swindon, London was home for his adult life. Until shortly before his death, he regularly played at a couple of sessions in South London.

Three weeks before his death he paid his last visit to Inishbofin. Despite his frailty he played a powerful session in the Dolphin Hotel with a group of other island musicians.

Vincent O’Halloran is survived by his daughter Bridie: son Vincent: sisters Mary Joe and Bernadette: brothers Malachy and Desmond (Dessie): four grandchildren and one great-grandchild. He was predeceased by his wife Kathleen, and son Michael.