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A night to remember certainly was the perfect description of the evening of reminiscence and song in tribute to the great Sarah Makem held on Sunday 8 March tin he traditional musical heartland of South Armagh at Tí Chulainn in Mullaghbawn.
Billed as 'A Night to Remember Sarah Makem' the event saw over 100 people from as far away as Tyrone and Donegal pack out the auditorium at the venue to witness a veritable who's who of traditional music on stage.
Organised by Newry based Oriel Traditional Music Archive the unique event saw members of the Makem family and other musicians at the top of their game, pay tribute to one of Ireland’s most treasured source singers and guardian of the rich Ulster ballad tradition.
Sarah Makem (1900–1983) was born in the South Armagh village. She carried a remarkable repertoire of songs learned through oral tradition, not least from her own mother. Her distinctive unaccompanied singing drew the attention of renowned collectors including Sean O' Boyle, Peter Kennedy, Diane Hamilton, Jean Ritchie and Alan Lomax, whose recordings preserved her voice for future generations.
Her songs reached international audiences through the BBC radio programme As I Roved Out, yet her singing always remained deeply rooted in home and community.
Sarah's son Tommy joined The Clancy Brothers in the 1960's, a world renowned combination that promoted not only Irish music but also the humble Aran sweater, which massively increased in popularity following its adoption as their 'uniform' of choice.
Stephanie Makem a grand daughter of Sarah's provided the narrative on the night. On stage were Gerry and Tom Makem and Robert Mc Gleenan, Jimmy Greene, Patricia Vallely, The Gribben Sisters, Colleen Savage, Feilimí O Connor, Piaras Ó Lorcáin, Sean Mone and Tom and Fionnuala Sweeney. A special guest was Rioghnach Connolly the RTÉ Best Folk Singer & BBC Folk Singer of the Year.
Stephanie Makem, Sile Boylan, Josephine Dunbar and Donal O'Hanlon were involved in organising and producing the evening. The Arts Council of NI funded the event. Josephine Dunbar thanked all who helped make the event such a success including "all the amazing artists and performers, amongst whom are few of Sarah Makem's, grandchildren, and great grandchildren"
Sunday's concert could not have been a more fitting tribute to Sarah Makem and will certainly go some way to helping keep her rich legacy alive for many more years to come.
