Gerry was a founder member of the Sliabh Gullion Festival of Traditional Singing (based on the villages of Forkhill and Mullaghbawn in south Co Armagh) which from 1982 introduced singers from all over Ireland and Britain to memorable days and nights of music in a scenic part of Ireland until then little-known to them. An entertaining and humorous companion and a great friend of the late Tom Munnelly, founding chairman of the Archive, Gerry served on the ITMA Board from 1996 to 2001, and was its Treasurer in those years.

 

He was last recorded by ITMA staff at the annual Inishowen Folksong and Ballad Seminar in Ballyliffin, Inishowen, Co Donegal, in March 2008 singing 'Peace in Erin' which can be heard here.

 

The Board and staff of the Archive extend their sympathy to Gerry’s wife Rita, and to their children Cormac, Aoife, and Ciana, and extended family.