‘Offaly-Chicago’ uilleann piper Bernard Delaney subject of Birr talk

IT WAS with much delight that Chairman Finbarr Spain, welcomed speakers Frank Kelly, Seamus Kelly and musicians Aidan Barry, Siobhán Godley, David Kinsella to Birr Historical Society in January 2025, to present the story of the once famous, but sadly forgotten Offaly piper Bernard (Barney) Delaney.

Finbarr reflected on how Irish music is deeply rooted in our country’s history and culture. That the choice of the harp, a musical instrument, as our national emblem is a reminder of the tradition of harp playing in Gaelic culture.

Frank Kelly, who is an accomplished traditional Irish musician and retired school principal, began his talk by emphasising the importance of history. He mentioned the Battle of Moytura, Tuatha de Danann and the ancient territories of the O’Maddens and Coughlans. He spoke about growing up in Lusmagh and the name Lus Magh comes from the Irish word meaning ‘plain of the healing herbs’. He recalled, that people travelled from Lusmagh to Banagher for petrol/groceries, Birr to the solicitors/dentist and you could buy a confirmation suit in John Kelly's, Birr.

Frank grew with traditional Irish music and Birr had a good tradition for music sessions. Frank shared with the audience an unknown story about the All Ireland Fleadh Cheoil which was held in Buncrana in 1975. Both Frank and Teresa Ryan (Feehan) were competing in the All Ireland – Frank playing the piano accordion and Teresa playing the piano. Frank’s late father and the late Tom Ryan of the Ridge Hills, Banagher, worked together in Bord na Mona and both shared a love of traditional Irish music. Because of their friendship, both fathers arranged for Frank, who played traditional music, and Teresa who played classical piano, for Frank to give Teresa tips on ornamentation, which is a key ingredient in the playing of traditional Irish music. That year, Teresa won First place in the All Ireland Fleadh Cheoil, playing piano.

In 2009, Tullamore hosted the third All Ireland Fleadh Ceoil and Frank spoke about being asked to write an article in the Fleadh Cheoil Clár about the Offaly Uilleann Piper Bernard Delaney (1854-1923). Frank discovered, that very few people in the parish of Killeigh or Offaly had heard of him or his music.

Frank talked about his background and early life in Ireland. Bernard (Barney) Delaney was from the Meelaghans, Tullamore. He learned the ‘penny whistle’ as a boy and he walked over six miles to take music lessons on the uilleann pipes from Jack Foraghan from Clara. Following the tragic deaths of his wife and three children in the 1870’s, he was forced to leave his remaining child Elizabeth behind him and emigrate to America in the search of a better life. He was a gifted piper with extraordinary musical talent who brought Irish traditional music from Offaly to America.

He caught the attention of Captain Francis O’Neill, (1848-1936) Head of the Chicago Police Department who was a great collector of Irish music. His book, O’Neill’s Music of Ireland, was published in 1903. O’Neill enrolled Delaney into the Irish Music Club and from then on, his life flourished.

During the evening, the audience got the opportunity to hear some of Barney Delaney’s Tunes, Jacksons Morning Brush and Julia Delaney. His music was beautifully played by Aidan Barry, guitar, Siobhán Godley, concert flute, Frank Kelly, piano accordion and David Kinsella, uilleann pipes.

David spoke about how he was inspired in the 1980’s to learn to play the pipes by Paddy Keenan from the Bothy Band. He said the pipes are a simple instrument which must be played for them to stay in tune. He explained the parts of the uilleann pipes and how they work together, the bellows, chanter, drones and reeds which are used to produce sound. The uilleann pipes are played using the elbow to pump air into the bellows and the term uilleann comes from the Irish language, meaning ‘elbow’. David mentioned that, the uilleann pipes have been played by some of the most influential Irish musicians such as Seamus Ennis, Paddy Keenan and Matt Molloy. The Chieftains have opened doors for musicians and have brought traditional Irish music to a worldwide audience.

Seamus Kelly, author of the book, Bernard ‘Barney’ Delaney (1854-1923) Offaly and Chicago which was published in 2024, talked about the musical fame of the forgotten master uilleann piper. In his research of Delaney’s life, Seamus was grateful to Brendan Berry, Killeigh historian, who identified where the Delaney family lived in Ireland.

Delaney emigrated to America after the tragic loss of his family and he sailed on the SS Missouri from Liverpool in 1882. Seamus spoke about his life in America, his career as a policeman in Chicago, his marriage to Julia Rogers who was the sister of Captain Francis O’Neill’s wife. Delaney became well-off because he became well known for his pipe playing. His music opened doors to play in every important place and occasion in America, which included dance halls, annual balls, outdoor festivals, public events. In the 1890s, Delaney was known as the piper for dancers.

One of the stories, Seamus writes about in his book, is the visit of Dr Douglas Hyde, who was fund raising for the Gaelic League in Chicago in 1906. Following the official proceedings, Captain O’Neill and Father Fielding arranged for an evening at Delaney’s place in Forest Avenue, where Hyde enjoyed two or three hours of a session with “pipers, fiddlers, other musicians, step dancers and singers” . Seamus mentioned in his talk, that O’Neill’s Music Book of Ireland, credits Delaney with 19 tunes. His death notice in the Chicago Tribune on July 22^nd 1923, indicates that he was survived by his daughter Mrs James Morgan (Elizabeth Delaney).

Chairman, Finbarr Spain, gave a special welcome to Paddy Duffy, secretary and founding member of Birr Comhaltas. Paddy has been promoting Irish music and culture for over 70 years. Finbarr recalled fond memories of his late father Matt, who was a founding member of Birr Comhaltas. He said, that meetings took place in his family home in the 1950’s to discuss the setting up of a Comhaltas Club in Birr.

On behalf of Birr Historical Society, Finbarr, thanked the musicians for a wonderful evening of Irish music and the speakers for sharing their stories about Irish people and traditions. He also thanked his committee and everyone in attendance.