Reaching 90 is a high note for Murty

A special night of celebration hit a perfect note for Nenagh musician Murty Whelan, who celebrated his 90th birthday recently.

Murty, from Saint Conlon’s Road, spent his working life in Nenagh Post Office. But a love of music formed a big part of his activities outside of his day job and his all-round talent as a musician has made him a coveted member of local bands down through the decades.

The father of five, who is married to Tess, performed through the great showband era. He was a leading member of the Swing College Band that performed throughout the country in the mid to latter decades of the last century.

He later joined the Nenagh based outfit Ebony and has been playing with them for many years. He was a founding member of Nenagh Brass Band in 1976 and still plays with that band and teaches young musicians to this day.

To mark his big birthday members of the local brass band gathered to present Murty with a collage of photographs featuring his involvement with the band down through the decades.

Brass Band Chairman, Paudie Grace, said Murty was one of the most talented musicians he ever met.

Paying tribute to Murty, Mr Grace said: “He has been playing the saxophone since 1947, both the alto sax and the tenor sax. He also plays the clarinet, guitar and fiddle. He’s just a wonderful musician and has selflessly shared his great talents with our younger members over a long number of years.”