Steo Wall pays a visit to ancestral gigging spot of Johnny Doran

*Ballynacally Cottages.

NORTH Clare musician Steo Wall paid a visit to Ballynacally last weekend as this month’s featured guest of the Estuary Sessions.

Dublin-born Steo Wall is a direct descendent of Johnny Doran.

Johnny, as locals will know, was a traveller and outstanding piper from Wicklow, who travelled the country in the 1920s, staying and playing in small towns and villages throughout the land.

He played in Ballynacally at the crossroads, at fairs, and sat on the stone provided outside what was George Chambers’ house. This stone, now a commemoration to Johnny, was unveiled there by George Chambers and the local Comhaltas Ceoltóirí group at the County Fleadh in Ballynacally in 1985. Johnny loved Clare particularly and had planned to settle down there when he retired.

A TG4 production crew also visited the village on Saturday afternoon, as they are documenting Steo’s journey. “We are truly honoured to have Steo perform in the village”, said a spokesperson for Ballynacally Development Association.