My native parish Geevagh in South East Sligo, touches on O’Carolan Country and I have great memories of tunes played by the last of the local bards, Josie McDermott
Josie was a fine musician/singer/ composer and playwright.
He was also a fan of Percy French.
When I was about seven years old in Geevagh Hall at a Christmas concert he called me forward – me being a member of St. James’ Well N.S. school band, and asked me “Do you know Phil the Fluter’s Ball”? I replied “No”. He whistled it and said “Well you have five minutes to learn it”! That was my first solo performance!