THE PRESS GANG who performed at the opening night of the TRADITION CLUB OF DUBLIN in 1967 – from the cover of their 1970 album – L to R:- Seán Corcoran, Niall Fennell, Dave Smyth and TOM CREAN
Wicklow singer and song collector TED HICKEY who performed regularly at the TRADITION CLUB in the early days. For most of his working life he was Director of Art at the Ulster Museum Belfast
TOM CREAN in pensive mode
TOM CREAN lecturing on philosophy in Tutty’s Bar in Hollywood (Co. Wicklow!)
THE JOHNSTONS, chart-topping folk group who appeared at the opening night of the TRADITION CLUB in 1967. L to R:- Mick Moloney, Lucy Johnston, Adrienne Johnston and Paul Brady.
THE PRESS GANG in Liberty Hall 1970. L to R:- Seán Corcoran, Dave Smyth, TOM CREAN and Niall Fennell.The photo is promoting a concert in aid of the workers at Irish Cement in Drogheda and Limerick who were on strike for 22 weeks that year (they won!). The Irish Times was going through it’s left wing phase at the time … happy days!
THE PRESS GANG at Féile na Bóinne (Drogheda) in 1976. L to R :- Seán Corcoran, Dave Smyth, TOM CREAN and Niall Fennell. Like the TRADITION CLUB, Féile na Bóinne pioneered new ways of presenting real vernacular Irish song and music to a wider public.
THE PRESS GANG from the cover of the Xmas 1968 edition of the magazine FOLK NEWS. L to R:- Dave Smyth, Seán Corcoran, TOM CREAN and Niall Fennell
Willie Beaton, charismatic Scots singer and fiddler who was living in Dublin at the time and appeared at the opening night of the TRADITION CLUB in 1967.
Young Dublin lads at the Fleadh … on the left is Niall Fennell and TOM CREAN. The lad tightly clutching his bedding is Tom’s cousin Mitch.
Manu Kerjean the great Breton Kan ha Diskan singer who along with Erik Marchant, gave a storming performance of Breton dance-song at the TRADITION CLUB. They were brought to Ireland by Tríona and Micheál Ó Domhnaill
Mary Bergin, the supreme virtuoso of the tin whistle who played at the TRADITION CLUB regularly in the early days.
Ewan McColl and Peggy Seeger at the TRADITION CLUB.
Ewan McColl and Peggy Seeger at the TRADITION CLUB. In the bottom left corner you can see that FRANK HARTE is intrigued by Peggy’s chords …
THE TRADITION CLUB OF DUBLIN 