Jimmy Ward (banjo player)

Jimmy Ward (1909 in Tullagha, Kilfenora – 1987 in Milltown Malbay) was a well known Irish traditional banjo player and lilter out of Milltown Malbay, County Clare, Ireland.

Jimmy Ward
Born1909 (1909)
OriginCounty Clare, Ireland
Died1987 (aged 77–78)
GenresTraditional Irish
Occupation(s)Shopkeeper
Instrument(s)Banjo, lilting

Ward originally played the flute, piccolo and the whistle, but changed to the banjo in the 1940s.[1]

Ward was one of the founders of the renewed Kilfenora Céilí Band in 1927. He was still a part of the band when they won three consecutive All Ireland championships at the Fleadh Cheoil.[1]

He is the namesake of Jimmy Ward's Jig.[2]

In 1974, Ward decided to leave the Kilfenora Céilí Band. He started a new band named Bannermen with PJ Murrihy and Michael Sexton[3]

Later in life, Ward moved to Milltown Malbay, where he opened a small shop.[1] In the early seventies he had a severe car crash in Inagh.[1][4]

Ward died in 1987.[3]

Recordings

With the Kilfenora Céilí Band
LPs
  • Clare Céilí, ?, EMI[5]
  • The Kilfenora Céilí Band, 1974, Transatlantic[6]
CDs
  • Traditional Irish Fiddle Music, 1998 (remastered version of The Kilfenora Céilí Band)[6]

With the Laichtín Naofa Céilí Band
LPs
  • Come to an Irish Dance Party, 1959[7][8]
CDs
  • Come to an Irish Dance Party, 2008. A re-issue of the historic recording of 1959 digitally re-mastered.[9]

References
  1. Tunesearch - Jimmy Ward's Jig
  2. Celtic Groove
  3. Kilfenora Céilí Band - History
  4. Contrary to the source, his son and granddaughter claim that he fully recovered from the crash.
  5. The Kilfenora Ceili Band — a century of great Irish music
  6. Irish Music Review - Tommy Peoples
  7. Come to an Irish Dance Party
  8. Clune, Anne (2007). Dear Far-Voiced Veteran: Essays in Honour of Tom Munnelly. Milltown Malbay: Old Kilfarboy Society. pp. 347–348. ISBN 978-0-9556037-0-9.
  9. Laichtín Naofa Céilí Band CD
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