Huge crowds pay tribute to much-loved ‘legend’ Noel Kilkenny at Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann

A large number of banjo players gathered in the heart of Mullingar to pay tribute to the late Noel Kilkenny, a man recalled as ‘an absolute legend’ by one of his former students.

Mayo Rose Kate Heneghan described her former teacher as ‘an absolute legend’ after he was remembered at the biggest ever ‘Banjo Bash’ at Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann recently.

Banjo players gathered from far and wide and delivered a blast of jigs and reels in tribute to the much-loved music teacher, who was regarded as one of the finest banjo players in the country.

Noel Kilkenny was a member of a well-known family Castlebar musicians and taught traditional music to hundreds of children across Mayo over the years.

He passed away last December following an illness.

Paying tribute to him in an interview with The Mayo News, Mayo Rose Kate Heneghan said: “Noel was my first ever music teacher, when I was six years of age in Breaffy National School. So I owe so much to Noel and I’m forever grateful for his incredible guidance as a music teacher. He was always up for a laugh and having the craic and I’ll never forget his cheeky smile. He was a legend, an absolute legend. He was great.”