A SHINING light in the music world has gone out with the death of world renowned musician, Brendan Mulvihill.
The late Brendan, who was living in Tullyleague, Ballygoughlan, Glin, County Limerick, and formerly Washington DC and The Bronx, New York, passed unexpectedly on December 23 at his home.
The UK-born musician was a world-renowned traditional Irish fiddle player, having performed at numerous festivals around the world and in concerts such as the PBS broadcast In Performance at the White House for the President Bill Clinton.
He played at venues including The Kennedy Center, National Geographic, and The Music Center at Strathmore.
According to the obituary posted by his family, he was born in Northampton, England, in 1954, and immigrated to New York City with his family in 1965. He was taught to play the fiddle by his father Martin Mulvihill.
At 17, Brendan moved back to England and, early in his career, he won the junior and senior All Ireland Fiddle Championships and then the senior All Ireland Duet with Billy McComisky.
Brendan returned to New York in 1975, where, along with McComisky and Andy O’Brien, he formed the band The Irish Tradition. They traveled to Washington DC for a week-long gig at The Dubliner pub that turned into several years.
The band helped to pioneer the traditional Irish music scene in Washington DC.
Brendan toured with groups such as The Green Fields of America All-Star Irish Concert Tour, and the Masters of the Folk Violin Tour, and recorded extensively both a a solo artist and collaboratively.
Most recently, Brendan released a two-volume tune book (including three CDs) of traditional Irish music. Some tunes were composed by Brendan, and others were his preferred versions of other artists’ tunes. In 2024, Brendan published a four-volume set of thousands of never-before-released tunes compiled by his father.
Predeceased by his father Martin (Glin and New York), Brendan is survived survived by his mother Olive Mulvihill, his siblings Brian, Gail, and Dawn, his daughter Ciara from his marriage to Abbie Mulvihill; and his partner Clara Poffenberger.
Brendan was laid to rest this Monday (December 30) following repose at The Church of the Immaculate Conception in Glin
His family extended special thanks and appreciation to the emergency services and family friend John Barrett.
