Guitarist always welcome in homes of Donegal

Charlie McGee, who died on Tuesday aged 89, was one of Ireland's most popular entertainers in the 1950s.

Charlie McGee, who died on Tuesday aged 89, was one of Ireland's most popular entertainers in the 1950s.

Charlie McGee and his Gay Guitar, as he was styled in those innocent days, will be for ever associated with what was effectively his signature song, The Homes of Donegal.

His career highlights included topping the bill at the Royal Albert Hall in London and sharing top billing with Slim Whitman at Carnegie Hall in New York. His sophisticated style of guitar-playing earned him widespread respect among musicians.

Charlie McGee was born in Derry on May 9th, 1913, one of the seven children of Charles Magee and Anna (née Cregan). He later changed the spelling of his surname for professional reasons.

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He was educated at St Columb's College where he was lead soprano in the school choir. He was succeeded in this role by Josef Locke. On leaving school, he went to work in the family-owned Richmond Bar (since demolished) which was located on the site of the present Richmond Shopping Centre.

He first made his name as a footballer, playing soccer in goal for Coleraine FC. He was a member of the side that won the IFA Gold Cup in the 1931-32 season. He later played for Limerick City and finished his playing career with Sligo Rovers in 1939, the year that the legendary Dixie Dean was signed for the club's cup run.

Once, when playing for Coleraine against Derry City, his team took a one-goal lead. Conscious of the possible consequences for his business in Derry, he was desperate to facilitate an equaliser, but his efforts were in vain. Derry City supporters took their revenge by boycotting the Richmond Bar for a month.

Having hung up his soccer boots, Charlie concentrated on running his bar. Business boomed during the second World War when thousands of American servicemen were stationed in Derry. After closing time one night, he found a guitar left behind by a US soldier.

When the owner did not return to claim the instrument, Charlie decided he would learn to play it. He modelled his style on that of Django Reinhardt, guitarist with the Quintette du Hot Club de France, an influence that was evident throughout his career.

Having mastered the guitar, he entered a BBC talent contest which he won. His light tenor voice, accompanied by guitar, made for easy listening, and he quickly established himself as a popular entertainer in the Derry area.

He had married Veronica McConnellogue in 1940 and in 1949 he sold the bar and moved his young family to Dublin with the intention of making a career in show business. The family settled in Raheny.

Martin Walton, owner of Walton's music store and the Glenside record company, signed McGee to his label. One of his early records, Between Me and You , is reputed to be the first recording of a traditional Irish song with guitar accompaniment. This innovation did not please traditional music purists, but proved very popular with the public.

Apart from The Homes of Donegal, which was written by his brother-in-law, Seán McBride, Charlie McGee's hits included The Old Bog Road, Let Mr Maguire Sit Down, The Wild Rapparee and The Old Crolly Doll.

He was regularly featured in the 1950s on the Waltons programme which was broadcast by Radio Éireann. He appeared in variety shows around the country and frequently sold out the Theatre Royal in Dublin. It was said of him that all he had to do was walk on stage to have the audience in the palm of his hands. His growing fame led to small parts in such films as Shadow of a Gunman and Captain Lightfoot.

He toured Britain and the United States. In Chicago he was greeted by a banner with the message "America Welcomes Charlie McGee - Ireland's Elvis Presley". In another US city, he was welcomed as "Mr Holmes of Donegal".

With the establishment of Telefís Éireann, variety in Ireland began its decline. McGee read the writing on the wall and in 1964 he and his family emigrated to the US and he took out citizenship.

Based in Queen's, New York, he performed in most major US cities. In 1966 he began a residency in a well-known New York bar, the John Barleycorn.

In 1979 he retired to Carnew, Co Wicklow. He was an avid reader and enjoyed the poetry of Francis Ledwidge and Siegfried Sassoon. He also wrote poetry and had a poem published in the New York Times. Thomas Hardy and D.H. Lawrence were among his favourite novelists. His taste in music ranged from jazz to classical and he was an accomplished violinist, but played that instrument only for pleasure.

A spiritually aware person, he was a long-time vegetarian and practised Yoga exercises daily.

Predeceased by his wife, Veronica, in 1975, Charlie McGee is survived by his sons, Noel and Dermot, his daughter, Rosemary and Madeline, and sister Nancy.

Charlie McGee: born 1913; died September 24th, 2002