Joe Kearney says, "I have become lost in my own county—Kilkenny, up and down lanes and by-roads looking for a man who, I’m told, is a local legend, a fiddle player and philosopher, Jimmy Fanning.

I do I find him, but in reality he finds me. Few cars pass this way and Jimmy knows them all. He’d seen me pass his house earlier and waits at the door.

On this by-road, off a by-road, even the briars reach out and tug at your sleeve asking you to slow down and stay a while.

The wind sweeps up from the valley and the thorn bushes, trees and even Jimmy must bow their backs before it. He exists not on, but within the living landscape of Glenballyvalley."

Jimmy has a comment on everything and a story on everyone, including his cousin Michael Flatley, who wasn't allowed dance for him by his 'bodyguard'. He has a keyboard that's new and a fiddle that's ancient - a copy of a Stradivarius.

September 2012

The Curious Ear is produced by Ronan Kelly curiousear@rte.ie

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