Armagh is mourning the death of Eithne Vallely, the 81-year-old founder of the Armagh Pipers Club, after a fatal collision involving a lorry on the Portadown Road.
The collision happened on Friday morning. The Northern Ireland Ambulance Service said a Charity Air Ambulance and other emergency services were sent to the scene, where police also attended alongside colleagues from other emergency services.
Medical treatment was provided to Ms Vallely, who was described in the report as a pedestrian, but she was pronounced dead at the scene. The report said no further details had been provided about the circumstances of the collision and did not identify any further police action.
Tributes to a life in traditional music
Ms Vallely’s death has prompted tributes to her work as a musician, teacher and organiser, and to the influence she had on generations of young people in Armagh and further afield.
She and her husband, Brian, founded the Armagh Pipers Club. Through the club, they helped put traditional Irish music and culture at the heart of the city, creating a lasting connection between local young people and the musical tradition.
Ms Vallely taught, encouraged and inspired generations of children and young musicians. Many of those she taught later became teachers themselves, allowing the tradition to continue with a new generation.
SDLP councillor Thomas O’Hanlon said Ms Vallely had made Armagh her home after coming from Donegal. He described her contribution to the city’s cultural and musical life as extraordinary, saying her work had reached across Ireland and further afield.
“This is simply devastating news, and my thoughts and prayers are with Brian, the entire Vallely family and all those who loved Eithne at this incredibly difficult time,”
A wider family across Armagh and Ireland
Mr O’Hanlon said his own involvement with the Pipers Club had given him the opportunity to see Ms Vallely’s work directly. He described her as a patient and caring mentor who encouraged young people, as well as a gifted teacher, experienced administrator and Director of Music.
He said Ms Vallely had been first and foremost a wife and mother to her own family, while also having a much wider family in the thousands of people who learned to sing, play and love traditional music because of her influence.
“Eithne was first and foremost a wife and mother to her own family, but she also had a much wider family in the thousands of people who learned to sing, to play and to love traditional music because of her influence.”
Mr O’Hanlon said her death would leave an enormous gap for the Vallely family and Armagh’s cultural community, as well as for people across Ireland and further afield.
“Her contribution can never be overstated. Armagh is a richer place because Eithne Vallely made it her home, and generations to come will continue to benefit from the legacy she leaves behind.”