Hundreds of people from across east Clare and the world of Irish traditional music turned out yesterday to celebrate the life of the world-renowned fiddler, P. Joe Hayes.
Speaking at St Mary's Church in Killanena, Co Clare, his son, Martin, also a renowned fiddle-player, told mourners the Hayes family "was thrilled for the wonderful, wonderful life" enjoyed by his father.
Martin said his father, who died peacefully at his home in Maghera on Sunday, aged 80, was "gentle and soft with all of us".
During his homily, Father Brendan Quinlivan said P. Joe was as much at home in the Carnegie Hall as he was at the mart in Scariff. He said: "I don't know if Westlife or Boyzone say the rosary on the way to their gigs, but P. Joe's faith was very important to him."
One of the founder members of the famous Tulla Ceili Band in 1946, P. Joe led the band to international success, including an appearance at Carnegie Hall, winning the All-Ireland Ceili Band competition three times and a National Entertainment Award in 1995 and receiving the key to Chicago in 1987.
In 1996 P. Joe was named Clare Person of the Year for his contribution to Irish traditional music. He is survived by his wife, Peggy, sons Martin and Pat, and daughters Helen and Ann-Marie.
