Many people are, I think under the misapprehension that The Ludlow Trio are a family group, they are in fact not related. Margaret O'Brien, Sean Loughran and Paddy Roach called themselves The Lodlow Trio on account of the association of folk singing with the Ludlow County in the United States.

Sean and Paddy had been singing together before Margaret joined them, [They were introduced to one another by Peggy Jordan ] and so they formed the Ludlow Trio.
Within a week they had sung at a midnight concert at The Grafton and shortly afterwards at The International Bar in Wicklow Street Dublin. They also appeared in an Irish concert in London on St Patrick's night and hope to go back again this year [1965]. They have done a number of spots at dances around the country and sang at a concert in The City Hall in Cork.

''We got a terrific reception there,'' said Margaret, the audience
was really wonderful. During last summer they sang every week in the Abbey Tavern in Howth. ''It was a great experience,'' said Sean playing to a crowded room every night, and the audience was made up of people of every nationality.
Margaret, who is pretty petit and dark-haired is a lady of leisure
apart from her singing. She was for some time a member of the Radio Eireann Choral Society and had her voice trained. ''I love to sing in Irish''she said, ''I think there are not enough of them sung''.

The trio have sung in Club Ceili, and their songs on this were all in Irish. Margaret and Sean went on a tour of Scotland last year and collected many folk songs on their way. Next week when they appear on Telefis Eireann programme ''As Zozimus Said'' they will sing some of the songs they learned in Scotland.

Sean, who is a Technical School Teacher plays guitar and also bagpipes is appropriately, collecting folk songs, said Sean. ''I would like to see ballads here with more of an international flavor and also if Television could give a greater boost to them, it would be a help''. He would also like if their were separate ballad competitions for young ballad singers at the Fleadh Cheoil. In his opinion the ballad craze has done a great deal for Irish traditional music.

''People who would not go to hear a complete evening of Traditional Irish Music will go if there is singing included [ I agree ] in the programme and then they are surprised to find that they enjoy the traditional music and can really appreciate it''.

Paddy Roach is a final year student at the College Of Art, and so he of course spends most of his spare time painting. Paddy plays the guitar and is at the moment learning the Banjo. He has also written two ballads, ''Love songs'' but they have not yet been sung by The Ludlow Trio.

The Ludlows have appeared five times on Telefis Eareann and also on French Television. It was while singing in O'Donoghue's pub that we  were spotted and first asked to go for an interview for Telefis Eireann and after that we sang about four times on their ballad shows.

At the moment there is a record being made of a night of music and song at the Abbey Tavern and The Ludlow Trio will of course be heard on this. A unanimous wish of The Ludlow Trio is for a folk center in Dublin where our own ballads could be sung and where all visiting singers would be welcome also. This is really a wonderful idea and there is indeed a great need for such a center.
The above story was told by The Ludlow Trio to Hilda Dolan from The Evening Press newspaper Dublin in 1965. The Sea Around Us [ song lyrics ] was a big hit for the group back in the day.

Eugene Hayes from the ballad group The Fingal Brigade passed away today, 18 March 2015. Eugene was the Accordion player with the group and I [ Martin Dardis ] was the lead singer and guitar player along with Joe on tin whistle, vocals and guitar. Eugene had not being well for a couple of years.

I had known Eugene for close to 20 years. Not long after we met at a session, Eugene joined our group. He was one of the finest accordion players I have ever known and a great character. Before Eugene joined the group there was myself, Joe and Barney Clarke. Barney is no longer with us either, he passed in September 2010 and is still missed by all his singing and drinking buddies.

The Fingal Brigad played for 10 years in The Estuary Pub and in all those session Eugene never once missed a gig. He was always on time and eager to play and entertain.
When he wasn't playing music, Eugene, loved nothing better than talking about songs and tunes and arrangements and keys. He was one of the most knowledgeable men I have ever had the privilege of knowing when it came to discussing Irish history and music, his favorite musician was the sligo fiddle player Michael Coleman.

The strange coincidence about the passing of Eugene is the fact that the most recent post on this blog was the passing of Jim McCann. Eugene came from the same neck of the woods as Jim McCann and had known and played music with Jim.

Well now Eugene, you'll have that opportunity again.
Dia a bheith in éineacht leat mo chara

In The Youtube Video, from left to right. Marc Fahrbach, Joe, Martin Dardis and the late great Eugene Hayes.

Today we remember Jim McCann who sang with The Dubliners for many a year. Jim Was a true legend. He will be best remembered for his version of the song Grace by Sean And Fran O'Meara which tells the story of Joseph Plunket's wedding to Grace Gifford on the eve of Joeseph's execution. Jim was a member of The Dubliners from 1974 to 1979. Rest in peace Jim.

Here are a few of the tributes paid to Jim by his fellow ballad singers.
Sin é Radio Show
Sad news to hear of the passing of this beautiful singer, Jim McCann who passed away this morning. Solo singer, part of The Dubliners, great photographer...many talents. R.I.P.

The Invincibles
Rest in peace Gentleman Jim. A truly beautiful singer. Yet another legend gone to join the session upstairs.

The Wolfe Tones
Our condolences to the family and friends of Jim McCann, a great ballad singer and performer, may he rest in peace.

Parcle Of Rogues
Jim McCann ~ Grace. RIP another Dublin legend gone, Jim McCann was the first person I heard singing this beautiful song, it was the"First Dance " at our wedding...

Finbar Furey
Jim will be sadly missed, great man, good man.

Mick O'Brien
Jim mc cann May he rest In peace one of the best we had . There 'll be a fair session up there tonight Jim , Luke , Liam ,Tommy, Ronnie, peacker,

Johnny McEvoy
Dear Jim,
This morning I heard of your passing away and my mind wandered back to those long ago days and nights we shared with Phil,Odette and the old gang in the barge during the 1970s.
Throughout the many times we worked together I always admired your singing voice and most of all I admired your courage and wonderful sense of humor which saw you through the last few difficult years.
I am happy to have known you and I wish you well on your final journey and hope you find peace wherever you may be.
Slán Abhaile Jim.
John.

The High Kings
We are saddened to learn of the passing of Folk Legend Jim McCann today. RIP Jim, we will pay our respects tonight in Bochum, Germany.