THEN AND NOW: Incredible photo recreated in Mayo
Photos by: Adam Kaczmarek
Local photographer Adam Kaczmarek took a special photo in Aghamore recently as part of a project he’s embarked on to bring old photographs back to life.
Having seen a 1988 photograph of local musician Paddy Joe Tighe during a Heritage Week event at Ballyhaunis Community Hall, he organised a re-take of the photo, which featured Paddy Joe and a champion troupe of dancers from Aghamore.
Paddy Joe explains: “In 1988, I had the pleasure of being the resident player for the Aghamore set dancing group who won the Réadóirí Pioneer Total Abstinence Association All-Ireland Final set dancing competition in Shinrone, County Offaly, on February 27th of that year. The group had also qualified to represent Connacht in the All-Ireland Scor na nÓg finals, but sadly we were unable to attend, because both competitions were held on the same date.
"The group were also winners of the All-Ireland Ceol an Gheimhridh (CCE) competition held in Thurles on March 20th that year. The group came first at the All-Ireland Fleadh Cheoil in Kilkenny City that August. In fact, the group went on to win eight more All-Ireland finals after that.”
The late Seamus Duffy, who was the principal of Aghamore National School, facilitated the group by allowing them to use the school for practicing.
“Gráinne Kelly-Freyne from Knock was the group's teacher," explained Paddy Joe. "She dedicated a great deal of time and effort to the dancers, making numerous journeys to practice with them. Her eldest son, Davóg Freyne, is a very good accordion player and a music and dancing teacher.
"The Piper's Cross Céilí Band was formed by Davóg in 2019... they were crowned the All-Ireland Senior Céilí Band Fleadh Cheoil Champions for 2023 in the Cathedral of Christ the King in Mullingar. This was a historical achievement, as they were the first Mayo band to claim the senior title since the inaugural All-Ireland Fleadh in 1951. Gráinne Kelly-Freyne's other sons, Sean and James, are champion Sean-nós and set-dancers, and Sean teaches at Knock Primary School.”
