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Many tributes have been made to Armagh Pipers Club founder Eithne Vallely, 81 who died as a result of a road traffic collision in Armagh on 21 August. Thousands turned out to the funeral of the inspirational teacher and musician at St Patrick's Cathedral, Armagh yesterday, 25 August with musicians lining the steps playing the traditional Song of the Chanter as she was carried to her final resting place.
Armagh Pipers Club was founded in 1966 by Eithne and Brian Vallely and in over 6 decades the natural skills of many many local musicians from Armagh and Down and much further afield were nurtured and grown.
Local musician Oisin McCann spoke of the influence Vallely had in his career: "Eithne Vallely was a powerhouse. What she did for Irish music is almost immeasurable, and the role she played in my life is something I will be forever grateful for. Eithne, Brian, and the Armagh Pipers Club did so much for me and had a profound influence on my music, and Eithne played a big role in me being able to pursue music professionally, for this I can’t thank her enough. She will be sorely missed."
A Traditional Arts Partnership representative said: "Through the Armagh Pipers Club, many of our own Traditional Arts Partnership students have had the privilege of taking lessons and being inspired by the tradition Eithne helped pass onto future generations.
Her contribution to traditional music will be remembered with great affection and gratitude."
Tommy Sands added: "A sad and fond farewell to Eithne, the beautiful ... kind, gentle and musical matriarch whose sweet legacy of notes will forever echo from the hundreds she taught, the thousands, they taught and the millions who have and will listen throughout the whole world."
Sending his condolences former Irish President Michael D. Higgins said: "Sabina and I send our deepest condolences to the family and friends of Eithne Vallely. Eithne’s contribution to Irish traditional music, along with her husband Brian and family, was immense; sharing her talent so generously with us all and for which we are so grateful. Síocháin shíoraí dá hanam."
Newry and Armagh MP Dáire Hughes spoke of his sadness at the news.
"Eithne was a giant of Irish cultural life in Armagh and across Ireland - a pioneering musician. Her decades of contribution to music and cultural expression cannot be overstated, evidenced by her countless awards and honours.
"Eithne had a lifelong passion for traditional Irish music and was tremendously gifted, with strong musical lineage and a skill fostered on the tin whistle in primary school that would evolve into piano, violin and more.
"Eithne was not only a great musician but she had been collecting and recording traditional music from an early age.
Hughes said Vallely passed this passion on to her family and the wider community through the founding of the Armagh Pipers Club with her husband Brian, something that will ensure her legacy will live on, through them and countless other people she inspired.
Newry and Armagh MLA Cathal Boylan said: "We were immensely fortunate that Eithne made Armagh her home. A pioneering musician, collector and champion of traditional Irish music, she devoted her life to preserving our musical heritage and passing it on to future generations."
Speaking after her funeral Justin McNulty MLA added: "Today, I felt honoured to be at the funeral of Eithne Vallely RIP where we celebrated in music her vast and lasting contribution to our cultural wealth and athletic endeavour.
"It was a special and powerful occasion with heavenly Gaelic singing, fiddle-playing, flute and whistle music filling the air in the packed St. Patrick’s Cathedral in Armagh. Her family, who are heartbroken with grief and shock, had a powerful celebration of an incredibly gifted and hard-working lady whose legacy will live on through her music and athletics, and through the gifts she gave to the people who were taught by her and who knew and were loved by her. Solas na bhflaitheas uirthi"
