A lifetime dedicated to Irish music

Born in Omagh, County Tyrone in 1930, Jimmy grew up in Glenfinn, County Donegal where he learned to play the fiddle at a very early age and in his lifetime became recognised as one of the finest players of his generation, a prodigious talent which brought him the coveted All Ireland Fiddle Championship 1957.

Jimmy emigrated to Scotland in 1946 settling in Glasgow where his contribution to the development of Irish music and culture was enormous, including the establishment of the first branch of CCE outside Ireland as well as leading the famous Four Provinces Ceili Band.

Jimmy's popularity was not only confined to Irish musicians but also to many Scottish musicians including the legendary box players Bobby Mcleod and Jimmy Shand.

Until his untimely death in January 1999, Jimmy continued to lead by example, regularly playing at ceiliis, feisanna, fleadh's as well as his Monday night sessions in Glasgow's Sharkey's Bar which continues, as Jimmy's session, to this day.

Jimmy's memory lives on through his wife Ann, dancing teacher and adjudicator, his two sons Brendan and Martin, fine musicians in their own right, his many wonderful compositions and his very many friends throughout the world.

The Annual Memorial Concert

In January each year many of Ireland, and the world's top traditional musicians travel to Glasgow to pay tribute to their musical friend, the late Jimmy McHugh who passed away in January 1999. Click on the link above for details of the forthcoming Jan 2019 Concert, or HERE to see pictures of previous concerts.

Click Here For portraits of many Irish musicians and scenes.

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Click Here to view details of previous concert Videos and CDs for sale.