Biographies of the inductees will be shared in The Review during the weeks leading up to the event.
Gerry O’Neill
No greater compliment can someone pay to Glengarry County than to choose it as his or her new home. Such is the case with acclaimed fiddler Gerry O’Neill. Drawn to the area by the music and the people, Gerry has shared his Irish musical heritage with the county for over 40 years and is a worthy nominee for the Glengarry Celtic Music Hall of Fame.
Gerry emigrated to Canada, from Derry, Ireland in the early 70s, settling in the Montreal area. His finesse and ability on the fiddle drew the attention of many and soon garnered many requests for appearances throughout Quebec, the Maritimes, and Ontario. In 1976, he performed as part of the Olympic ceremonies.
It was through these many varied appearances that Gerry met fellow Glengarry musicians, and soon formed bonds and friendships that forever made him a valued part of the musical fabric of the county. The Atlantic, The Grand (Johnnie Mac’s), Bob’s, The King Edward and The King George Hotels all sought Gerry out for appearances knowing that a full-house was sure to follow. Fiddler’s Choice, Fiddler’s Elbow, and McMartin Fiddle are but a few of the local groups with whom Gerry performed. As a full-time musician, Gerry is a master at engaging his audience and in no time flat he encourages requests and calls out, to the joy of those assembled, “Where’s the dancers?” … “Where’s the Pipers?” It was at one memorable “Glengarry Concert” at the N.A.C. ( in Ottawa )that Gerry, along with his bandmate Brian Davis, took the crowd through a “tour” of Scottish melodies; with ever-changing tempos and keys, he had the entire audience singing to a haunting version of “Loch Lomond” one moment and with “drone of the pipes” on his fiddle, they were clapping and stomping to “Scotland The Brave” the next.
Gerry has played at every function imaginable in Glengarry: concerts, dances, pubs, weddings, funerals and more. He has also been generous to donate his time and his talent to many charities, fundraisers, benefits and organizations that needed his presence. He has performed in concerts for the Friends of the Ruins, recorded tracks to aid the Glengarry Pipe Band, and helped The Glengarry Highland Games with their fundraising efforts, to name but a few. It was on the Glengarry Highland Games CD – “Building on Tradition” that his “one take” unique, and beautiful rendition of the tune “Hector The Hero” cemented the recording into being a Glengarry treasure forever.
Gerry has also been an avid promoter of Glengarry talent, encouraging young performers and musicians, as well as the “veterans” in their musical pursuits. It was often due to Gerry’s recommendation that most local talents found themselves on stages in Montreal and Ottawa. Gerry had great confidence in Glengarry talent and thanks to his “nod,” for many young musicians, new doors were opened.
With his genuine love of “the music” and his Irish charm Gerry is a “Glengarrian” for sure, despite his “wee” teasing of Glengarry fiddlers when he quizzes if they knew the “Irish Roots” of that “Scottish Tune” they just played and the original key that it “was” played in?
Two of Gerry’s favourite words in describing a special occasion or performance is: “Magic!” and “Grand!” It is more than fitting that the “magic” of Gerry’s musical contribution and his friendship to Glengarry be honoured in The Glengarry Celtic Music Hall of Fame.
Now, wouldn’t that be “Grand!”
