Packie Duignan
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Patrick 'Packie' Duignan born at Colier road, Arigna, high up in the Iron Mountains of County Roscommon, Eire. Packie worked as a miner all his life and was a legendary flute player, very well known by music lovers in his time.
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[edit] Music
Packie started learning to play on a clarkes whistle while listening to the 78's of John Mckenna. His deep diaphragm driven rhythm was strongly influenced by Mckenna.
From 1958 to 1973 he played in Drumshambo based celi band, "Shannon Star".
In his later years Packie mostly played in and around Drumshambo, Keadue and Arigna with Seamus Horan and Ciaran Emmett.
Packie made some recordings for topic in the late 1970's which later appeared on a compilation CD, "Irish Traditional Music" by Temple Records. Packie also made many TV and radio appearances.
[edit] Life
Packie was renowned for his great sense of humor and was always up for a bit of craic. In 1992 Packie passed away following a short battle with Leukemia. As strong a character he was, refused the aid of chemotherapy, saying he wanted to die as he had lived and not a shadow of his former self. He was laid to rest in the church grounds in the middle of Arigna by his close family and a large following. His old and almost wornout flute that Packie had use for many years was buried along with him.
[edit] Legacy
In 1995 a tribute CD was composed of a concert featuring Tommy Guihen, Patsy Hanly, Mick Woods, and Joe Skelton at the Joe Mooney Summer School in Drumshambo, called "A Tribute to Packie Duignan"
A annual tribute weekend featuring many bands and players is held in Drumshambo in late January.
Among a younger generation of flute/whistle players to cite Packie's influence are Catherine McEvoy and Mary Bergin. As long gone as Packie is, his music continues to inspire those who hear it.
A memorial to Packie stands in the village of Drumshambo, county Leitrim.
[edit] Recordings
Traditional Music from County Leitrim
Irish Traditional Music
A Tribute To Packie Duignan
Happy To Meet You Sorry To Part
[edit] Festival
On January 26th 2007 the first official Packie Duignan Traditional week-end was launched by Comhaltas Drumshanbo. Following the opening at the Duignan memorial in the Main Car Park on Friday 26th January there was a big session in Packie's local Gunnings Pub. On the Saturday there was a workshop in flute, whistle, bodhran, fiddle, sean nos dancing. The Packie Duignan Flute Gathering took place on in Berrys Tavern. This is a gathering of local flute players and other musicians and friends of Packie to play a few tunes and chat about Packie and his life. There were sessions in the pubs throughout the town all the week-end and on the Sunday there was a boxty brunch followed by a few tunes.
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