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http://www.accordions.com/news.aspx?d=11-Mar-2022&lang=ru&s=18618
http://www.accordions.com/news.aspx?d=11-Mar-2022&lang=ru&s=18618
11-Mar-2022
by Rob Howard
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 Donal Ring born 1935 in Cork, Republic of Ireland, came from a musical family. Young Donal was very much influenced by his father, a renowned melodeon and button accordionist. At school in Rathduff, a deep regard for the language, culture and heritage of Ireland was instilled in Donal, and his love of Irish dance music was the main motivating factor that enabled him to undertake an intense practice routine on the accordion. Practice, coupled with natural ability, made him a very fine player. At the age of 13, he was playing in concerts, and by 15, he was playing in a ceili band.Having admired the music of Jimmy Shand, Donal (pictured above) purchased a Shand Morino button accordion. In 1956, the price of this accordion was £215 - a fortune in those days. Donal Ring and Jimmy Shand became lifelong friends In 1958, Donal Ring formed his own ceili band, with the original line-up: Noel Crowley, Paddy Carey, Eamon Long, Gary Crowley and Florrie McCarthy. The present line-up is a family affair that includes sons Dermot Ring (5 row button accordion and vocals), Donal Ring junior (5 row accordion), daughters Mary (Ring) Devereux (piano and bass), Breda (Ring) Cashman (drums & vocals), and Pat Riordan (vocals). BBC radio and Radio Luxembourg did regular broadcasts of Scottish dance bands in the late 1940s and 1950s, and these were popular in Ireland. The strict tempo and tight band sound of the Scottish players significantly influenced the style and sound of many of the emerging Irish ceili bands of the time such as Donal Ring, Jackie Hearst, and the Gallowglass Ceili Band. Once established in Ireland through gigs, recordings, radio and television appearances, Donal Ring and his band performed overseas many times in Britain, Canada, Holland, and other places. His ceili band, renowned for its unerring strict tempo, recorded many albums, such as Dance and Sing with Donal Ring; Always Irish with Donal Ring - 30 years on; 40 Years on Stage; An Irish Hooley; Donal Ring Plays On; Unique Irish Dance Music; Echoes of Ireland; Irish Favourite: 70 Years of Music.. Donal Ring was also an expert accordion tuner and repairman. Apart from playing the accordion and Irish music, Donal’s other great passion was Gaelic Football (GAA). Donal Ring, who passed away on March 5th 2022 at the age of 87, was very well liked and respected and his passing is seen by many as the end of an era. |
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