Unique venture allows Mary share lifelong love of music

Broadcaster Pat Kenny was on hand in Dublin on Monday evening to launch the new release from renowned tin whistle player and music teacher Mary Bergin.

But this was no mere album from the woman who has been involved in traditional music since childhood – rather Mary Bergin –Irish Tin Whistle Tutorial consists of a series of books and accompanying CDs, catering for people who are beginners at music through to those who are at an advanced level and culminating with classes for professionals.

“A lot of people say to me that they’d love to play an instrument, but feel it’s too late,” says Spiddal based Mary, who is widely recognised as having brought playing in Irish music to a whole new level since her first album, Feadóga Stáin was released in 1979.

“In my head and in my experience, it’s never too late to learn” she adds. “Even if people think they are not musical, if they have an appreciation of music, they can work it.”

And while beginners might be a bit intimidated by the notion of picking an accordion or a fiddle, a tin whistle isn’t quite so scary, she laughs.

Mary Bergin – Irish Tin Whistle Tutorial will ultimately consist of three books and CDs – the third, for professionals, is still in the pipeline from the woman whose playing was described by Paddy Moloney of the Chieftains as “pure genius”.

From Shankhill in South County Dublin, Mary began playing tin whistle even before she went to school. Her mother played fiddle, both classical and traditional, while her father played the melodeon. 

As a youngster Mary played a Clark C whistle and when she was taken to an Oireachtas concert and saw the legendary Willie Clancy playing a similar instrument, it cemented her love of the instrument. Since then, she has played all over the world, both as a solo performer and in her earlier days with groups such as the Green Linnet Céilí Band, Ceoltóirí Laighean and de Dannan.

She continues to perform on a solo level and also with the group Dordán, but passing on the tradition through teaching is also very important to Mary. She is renowned as a musical educator here in Galway and also teaches at folk and traditional schools and festivals worldwide.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.