Tributes are being paid across the Armagh and traditional music community following the devastating passing of Pipers Club Director of Music, Eithne Vallely, at the age of 81, on Friday.
In a statement, Armagh Pipers Club said it was with “great sorrow” that they shared news of her passing, extending “heartfelt sympathy” to her husband Brian and the wider Vallely family.
“Eithne brought music into the lives of children for six decades,” the Club said. “Her enormous contribution to Irish traditional music was recognised nationally with many awards and honours.”
Funeral arrangements will be announced in due course.
Eithne, originally from Donegal, made Armagh her home and, alongside her husband Brian, founded the Armagh Pipers Club – an institution that has become synonymous with the teaching and promotion of Irish traditional music locally, nationally and internationally.
Paying tribute, the Hughes music family from Keady, long‑standing members of the Pipers Club, said they were “deeply saddened” to learn of her passing.
“As a family who have been proud members of the Armagh Pipers Club for many years, we have seen firsthand the incredible encouragement and passion Eithne poured into teaching and sharing Irish traditional music,” they said.
“Her dedication shaped the musical journeys of so many people, including us. Eithne has left a legacy that will be felt for generations to come.
“Our heartfelt condolences go to her husband Brian, the Vallely family and the entire Armagh Pipers Club community during this difficult time. Suaimhneas síoraí dá h‑anam uasal.”
Armagh Athletic Club spoke of their heartbreak at the passing of “a longstanding member of our club, who for decades, alongside her husband Brian, was the engine behind the Armagh International Road Races and who organised and helped out in every way at club events”.
Armagh SDLP councillor Thomas O’Hanlon also expressed his “deep sadness” at the news, describing it as “simply devastating”.
“My thoughts and prayers are with Brian, the entire Vallely family and all those who loved Eithne at this incredibly difficult time,” he said.
“Eithne came from Donegal, but she made Armagh her home, and what an extraordinary contribution she made to the cultural and musical life of our city, this island and far beyond over many decades.
“Together with Brian, she founded the Armagh Pipers Club, helping to place music and traditional Irish culture firmly at the heart of Armagh.
“Through the Club, Eithne taught, encouraged and inspired generations of children and young musicians. Many of the students she once taught are now the teachers of today, passing that same tradition on to another generation.
“In recent years, through my own involvement with the Pipers Club, I had the privilege of seeing Eithne’s work at close quarters. I witnessed the patience, care and encouragement she gave to young people. She was a gifted teacher, an experienced administrator and Director of Music, but above all she was someone who gave so generously of herself to others.
Eithne Vallely
“Eithne was, first and foremost, a wife and mother to her own family, but she also had a much wider family in the thousands of people who learned to sing, to play and to love traditional music because of her influence.
“There is no doubt that Eithne leaves an enormous gap in the Vallely family, but also across the cultural community of Armagh, throughout Ireland and much further afield.
“Her contribution can never be overstated. Armagh is a richer place because Eithne Vallely made it her home, and generations to come will continue to benefit from the legacy she leaves behind.
“My deepest sympathies are with Brian, the Vallely family and all who mourn her passing.”
Sinn Féin councillor Sarah Duffy expressed her sadness.
“We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Eithne Vallely, Director of Music at Armagh Pipers Club,” she said.
“Eithne made an immeasurable contribution to Irish culture here in Armagh and far beyond. For six decades, she dedicated herself to passing on our traditional music, song and culture to generations of children and young people.
“Her influence can be heard and felt across our city and throughout the wider traditional music community. Her passing leaves an enormous void in the cultural life of Armagh, but also an extraordinary legacy that will live on through the generations of musicians she taught, encouraged and inspired.
“My heartfelt sympathies are with Eithne’s husband Brian, her family, friends, and the entire Armagh Pipers Club family at this very sad time.
“Suaimhneas síoraí dá hanam.”
