Micho Russell

Gussie Russell

Packie Russell

The Russell family lived in Doonagore, near Doolin. Micho spoke of his grandfather, Austin ‘Rua’ Russell, who was born in 1838, and who married Kate Flanagan.

They had five children. Micho’s father, Austin Russell, who was born in 1892, was the youngest of the family. A brother, Michael, became a teacher and taught in Liscannor National School, while another brother, Thomas, died in action in the First World War. Austin remained on the family home and married Annie Maloney from the neighbouring townland of Ballykillane. Their five surviving children were:

Micho (1915-1994)	Packie (1920-1977)
Brigid (Bridie)	Mary Kate (1921-2007)
Gussie (1917-2004)

Micho Russell

1915-1994

On the gift of music:

You'd get this gift from hardship and hard work and getting wet and cold weather. And lonesome lives. You'd learn the sad way, people living alone and maybe your relations to die. All that comes from that source ... 'It comes down out of the heavens in showers'. The gift of music.

Micho Russell was one of Ireland ’s best-known traditional musicians in the latter half of the 20th century. He was born in Doonagore, Doolin, Co. Clare where he lived all his life.

He came from a musical family. His mother played the concertina and both his brothers, Packie, and Gussie played for house dances and later in the village pubs of Doolin.

In 1973 Micho won the All-Ireland Tin Whistle competition. His style of playing was unmistakable for the variety and inventiveness in its ‘rhythmical ornamentation’ and surprising stops. In the naturalness of his performance and stage presence he created an atmosphere of rare rapport with his audience. It added an iconic Irish dimension to his act that had no precedent or equal on the concert stage.

He enjoyed popularity and was much in demand from the 1970s onwards to perform at concerts and he toured all over Europe and the States. He was a patient and conscientious music teacher and he was a favourite at the Willie Clancy Summer School in Miltown Malbay.

In later years, his life-long interest in recording background to tunes and folklore came to fruition in several publications. Micho died as a result of a car accident on February 19, 1994 .

 

Select Bibliography
Coady, Michael. 1996. The Well of Spring Water a memoir of Packie and Micho Russell of Doolin

Doorty, John. 'Out of the Heavens in Showers: Interviews with Micho Russell,Departures Vol. 5 (1993), New Series: Departures Vol. 1 (1996), New Series: Departures Vol. 2 (1997)

Doorty, John. 'Out of the Heavens in Showers: Play based on the life of Micho Russell. First performed in Kilshanny Hall Sept 1998 and later toured to many venues including the Town Hall theatre in Galway. The show was also performed at the Micho Russell Memorial Weekends in 1999 and 2000.

 

Further Information: email: info@michorussellweekend.ie or telephone +353 (0)65- 7074168, 7074328, 7074133