{"id":485416,"date":"2026-05-15T04:11:20","date_gmt":"2026-05-15T04:11:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/485416\/"},"modified":"2026-05-15T04:11:20","modified_gmt":"2026-05-15T04:11:20","slug":"tributes-pour-in-following-passing-of-clare-bands-beloved-accordion-player","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/485416\/","title":{"rendered":"Tributes pour in following passing of Clare band\u2019s beloved accordion player"},"content":{"rendered":"<p class=\"indo-ebe0ecc6_root indo-ebe0ecc6_paragraph indo-300db776_none indo-91174671_primary indo-1d70522a_marginbottom5 indo-1d70522a_margintop0 indo-b48c4984_inherit\" style=\"color:var(--color-primary-80)\">A member of Clare\u2019s Tulla C\u00e9il\u00ed Band, Charlie was a renowned accordion player, described as a \u201ctrue gentleman\u201d as well as a giant of the traditional music scene.<\/p>\n<p class=\"indo-ebe0ecc6_root indo-ebe0ecc6_paragraph indo-300db776_none indo-91174671_primary indo-1d70522a_marginbottom5 indo-1d70522a_margintop0 indo-b48c4984_inherit\" style=\"color:var(--color-primary-80)\">Fellow Clare traditional musicians, the Kilfenora C\u00e9il\u00ed Band, said that sharing the stage with Charlie was always a \u201cprivilege and pleasure\u201d.<\/p>\n<p class=\"indo-ebe0ecc6_root indo-ebe0ecc6_paragraph indo-300db776_none indo-91174671_primary indo-1d70522a_marginbottom5 indo-1d70522a_margintop0 indo-b48c4984_inherit\" style=\"color:var(--color-primary-80)\">\u201cWe were deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Charlie Harris,\u201d the band said in a post on social media. \u201cOur heartfelt condolences go to his family and all in the Tulla C\u00e9ili Band at this difficult time.<\/p>\n<p class=\"indo-ebe0ecc6_root indo-ebe0ecc6_paragraph indo-300db776_none indo-91174671_primary indo-1d70522a_marginbottom5 indo-1d70522a_margintop0 indo-b48c4984_inherit\" style=\"color:var(--color-primary-80)\">\u201cCharlie was not only a remarkable musician, but a true gentleman &#8211; warm, generous, and full of quiet wit. His playing carried a lift and spirit that brought joy to everyone who heard it, and his presence made every session and stage brighter.<\/p>\n<p class=\"indo-ebe0ecc6_root indo-ebe0ecc6_paragraph indo-300db776_none indo-91174671_primary indo-1d70522a_marginbottom5 indo-1d70522a_margintop0 indo-b48c4984_inherit\" style=\"color:var(--color-primary-80)\">\u201cWe in the Kilfenora C\u00e9ili Band have such fond memories of sharing the stage with him and The Tulla at the All-Ireland Fleadhanna in Ennis &#8211; occasions filled with music, camaraderie, and great respect. It was always a privilege and a pleasure.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Charlie Harris posing with a portrait of himself after being honoured at the Feakle Traditional Music Festival. Image: Feakle Traditional Music Festival via Facebook\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/d6ac8035-7bab-426c-8c51-afd2a7f37b71.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"100%\" data-testid=\"article-image\"  \/><\/p>\n<p class=\"indo-ebe0ecc6_root indo-ebe0ecc6_caption1 indo-300db776_none indo-91174671_secondary indo-66f0fec7_regular indo-1d70522a_marginbottom0 indo-1d70522a_marginleft0 indo-1d70522a_marginright0 indo-1d70522a_margintop3 indo-b48c4984_left\" style=\"color:var(--color-grey-60)\">Charlie Harris posing with a portrait of himself after being honoured at the Feakle Traditional Music Festival. Image: Feakle Traditional Music Festival via Facebook<\/p>\n<p class=\"indo-ebe0ecc6_root indo-ebe0ecc6_paragraph indo-300db776_none indo-91174671_primary indo-1d70522a_marginbottom5 indo-1d70522a_margintop0 indo-b48c4984_inherit\" style=\"color:var(--color-primary-80)\">Organisers of traditional music festival around the county followed suit, sharing memories of the late accordion player taking to the stage at the respective festivals.<\/p>\n<p class=\"indo-ebe0ecc6_root indo-ebe0ecc6_paragraph indo-300db776_none indo-91174671_primary indo-1d70522a_marginbottom5 indo-1d70522a_margintop0 indo-b48c4984_inherit\" style=\"color:var(--color-primary-80)\">\u201cWe are deeply saddened by the loss of our great friend, Charlie Harris,\u201d Feakle Traditional Music Festival share in a social media post.<\/p>\n<p class=\"indo-ebe0ecc6_root indo-ebe0ecc6_paragraph indo-300db776_none indo-91174671_primary indo-1d70522a_marginbottom5 indo-1d70522a_margintop0 indo-b48c4984_inherit\" style=\"color:var(--color-primary-80)\">\u201cA true gentleman and an inspiration to so many. Charlie had a special way of making everyone feel welcome with his warm smile, kind nature, and love of music, and we at the Feakle Festival feel very fortunate to have shared so many memorable moments with him over the years.<\/p>\n<p class=\"indo-ebe0ecc6_root indo-ebe0ecc6_paragraph indo-300db776_none indo-91174671_primary indo-1d70522a_marginbottom5 indo-1d70522a_margintop0 indo-b48c4984_inherit\" style=\"color:var(--color-primary-80)\">\u201cWe were especially honoured to celebrate Charlie at last year\u2019s festival, and it was heartwarming to witness the genuine love and respect that surrounded him.<\/p>\n<p class=\"indo-ebe0ecc6_root indo-ebe0ecc6_paragraph indo-300db776_none indo-91174671_primary indo-1d70522a_marginbottom5 indo-1d70522a_margintop0 indo-b48c4984_inherit\" style=\"color:var(--color-primary-80)\">\u201cCharlie brought joy, friendship, and music wherever he went, and his presence will be deeply missed by all who knew him, especially the Tulla C\u00e9il\u00ed Band and his many friends who gathered with him for the weekly Wednesday night sessions in Peppers.<\/p>\n<p class=\"indo-ebe0ecc6_root indo-ebe0ecc6_paragraph indo-300db776_none indo-91174671_primary indo-1d70522a_marginbottom5 indo-1d70522a_margintop0 indo-b48c4984_inherit\" style=\"color:var(--color-primary-80)\">\u201cOur heartfelt sympathies are with Christine and all of Charlie\u2019s family and dear friends at this very sad time.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Charlie Harris being honoured at the Feakle Traditional Music Festival. Image: Feakle Traditional Music Festival via Facebook\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/7a87754d-ad9e-48f2-acd9-4fc145aac230.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"100%\" data-testid=\"article-image\"  \/><\/p>\n<p class=\"indo-ebe0ecc6_root indo-ebe0ecc6_caption1 indo-300db776_none indo-91174671_secondary indo-66f0fec7_regular indo-1d70522a_marginbottom0 indo-1d70522a_marginleft0 indo-1d70522a_marginright0 indo-1d70522a_margintop3 indo-b48c4984_left\" style=\"color:var(--color-grey-60)\">Charlie Harris being honoured at the Feakle Traditional Music Festival. Image: Feakle Traditional Music Festival via Facebook<\/p>\n<p class=\"indo-ebe0ecc6_root indo-ebe0ecc6_paragraph indo-300db776_none indo-91174671_primary indo-1d70522a_marginbottom5 indo-1d70522a_margintop0 indo-b48c4984_inherit\" style=\"color:var(--color-primary-80)\">Ennis Trad Fest recalled Charlie as someone known for his musicality, humility and generosity.<\/p>\n<p class=\"indo-ebe0ecc6_root indo-ebe0ecc6_paragraph indo-300db776_none indo-91174671_primary indo-1d70522a_marginbottom5 indo-1d70522a_margintop0 indo-b48c4984_inherit\" style=\"color:var(--color-primary-80)\">\u201cThe Irish traditional music community was devastated today to hear of the passing of accordion and melodeon master, Tulla Ceil\u00ed Band member, TG4 Ceolt\u00f3ir na Bliana recipient and longtime visitor to Clare, Charlie Harris.<\/p>\n<p class=\"indo-ebe0ecc6_root indo-ebe0ecc6_paragraph indo-300db776_none indo-91174671_primary indo-1d70522a_marginbottom5 indo-1d70522a_margintop0 indo-b48c4984_inherit\" style=\"color:var(--color-primary-80)\">\u201cCharlie was an icon in the traditional music world known for his musicality, humility and generosity. He was as beloved in Clare as he was in his native Limerick or adopted home of Galway and played in Ennis countless times, including a memorable performance at Ennis Trad Fest 2010 alongside Maeve Donnelly, Geraldine Cotter and Eamonn Cotter.<\/p>\n<p class=\"indo-ebe0ecc6_root indo-ebe0ecc6_paragraph indo-300db776_none indo-91174671_primary indo-1d70522a_marginbottom5 indo-1d70522a_margintop0 indo-b48c4984_inherit\" style=\"color:var(--color-primary-80)\">\u201cThe Ennis Trad Fest committee offers its condolences to his family and friends at this time.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"indo-ebe0ecc6_root indo-ebe0ecc6_paragraph indo-300db776_none indo-91174671_primary indo-1d70522a_marginbottom5 indo-1d70522a_margintop0 indo-b48c4984_inherit\" style=\"color:var(--color-primary-80)\">Funeral arrangements for Charlie have yet to be announced.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"A member of Clare\u2019s Tulla C\u00e9il\u00ed Band, Charlie was a renowned accordion player, described as a \u201ctrue gentleman\u201d&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":485417,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[75],"tags":[18,117,19,17,20379],"class_list":{"0":"post-485416","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-entertainment","8":"tag-eire","9":"tag-entertainment","10":"tag-ie","11":"tag-ireland","12":"tag-molly-cantwell"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/pubeurope.com\/@ie\/116576642333462748","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/485416","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=485416"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/485416\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/485417"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=485416"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=485416"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=485416"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}