Armagh is mourning Eithne Vallely, a former St Patrick’s Grammar School teacher and long-serving Director of Music at Armagh Pipers Club, who has died aged 81.

Mrs Vallely was remembered as a central figure in the city’s traditional music, arts and sporting life. Through teaching, organising and supporting young musicians, she helped establish Armagh as an important centre for Irish traditional culture and brought music to generations of children.

The news was announced by Armagh Pipers Club, where her influence extended across six decades. The club said hundreds of young people learned traditional music through its programmes and described her contribution to Irish traditional music as enormous. Funeral arrangements are to follow.

A lifetime dedicated to traditional music

Eithne was born in 1945 and spent her early life in Donegal. Her father, Harry Carey, was born in Edinburgh and raised in Glasgow before moving as a boy to live with an unmarried aunt in Corlea, outside Ballyshannon, close to the Fermanagh border.

She learned her first tunes on the tin whistle at national school in Mulroy, near Lifford, where her teacher was Seán Brady, the father of singer and musician Paul Brady. She later attended Coláiste Bride in Falcarragh and St Louis Boarding School in Monaghan, where teaching was conducted through Irish.

Eithne went on to learn piano and violin and played traditional fiddle tunes with her father during school holidays. After marrying Brian in 1969, the couple had five children, whose own achievements continued the family’s musical, cultural and sporting connections.

Niall became a recognised musician and composer and received Gradam Ceoil TG4 2026. Cillian plays pipes with Lunasa and also plays piano and fiddle, while Lorcan is a visual artist and a leading figure in Armagh Athletic Club. Máire Vallely worked at the Barbican Centre in London. Eithne’s grandchildren have also continued the family connection by playing traditional and classical music.

Influence at the Pipers Club and Armagh Athletic Club

Eithne and Brian were key figures in Armagh Pipers Club. Between 150 and 250 young people were on the club’s books each year, learning traditional music under its guidance.

The club has organised the international William Kennedy Piping Festival every year since 1994, apart from a pause in 2020 because of the Covid pandemic. Eithne’s work as Director of Music placed her at the heart of that continuing contribution to Armagh’s cultural life.

Her influence also reached the road-race circuit. Armagh Athletic Club described her death as a major loss, saying that she and Brian had been the driving force behind the Armagh International Road Races for decades. She organised and supported club events and remained a longstanding member.

“We at Armagh Athletic Club are heartbroken today, mourning the death of Mrs Eithne Vallely, a longstanding member of our club, who for decades, alongside her husband Brian, was the engine behind the Armagh International Road Races and who organised and helped out in every way at club events.”

Tributes from Armagh

Armagh SDLP councillor Thomas O’Hanlon said Eithne’s death would be deeply felt by the Vallely family and the wider cultural community.

Although she came from Donegal, Councillor O’Hanlon said she had made Armagh her home and had made an extraordinary contribution to the city, Ireland and communities further afield. He recalled seeing her work with young people through his own involvement with the club and described her as patient, caring and encouraging.

“Eithne came from Donegal, but she made Armagh her home, and what an extraordinary contribution she made to the cultural and musical life of our city, this island and far beyond over many decades.”

He said Eithne and Brian had founded Armagh Pipers Club and helped place traditional Irish music and culture at the centre of the city. Many pupils taught by Eithne later became teachers themselves, passing the tradition to another generation.

Her roles included teacher, administrator and Director of Music, but Councillor O’Hanlon said she was above all someone who gave generously to others. He said the thousands of people who learned to sing, play and love traditional music because of her formed a much wider family beyond her own.

He offered his deepest sympathies to Brian, the Vallely family and everyone mourning her death, adding that her loss would be felt across Armagh, Ireland and much further afield.