About Me
THIS PAGE IS NOW DEDICATED TO THE MEMORY OF PAUL PHILLIPS!paul led a very full life, he was a member of successfull folk groups 'reely jiggin' and 'darragh folk', whilst also sharing stages with many other successfull trad groups across the world and making a few t.v. appearances along the way!
he was an experienced teacher in the arts of the bodhran in classes in tubbercurry, drumshanbo and milwaukee amongst others, he had an enormous desire to teach many hundreds of students, young and old alike and even made a few champions out of some of them too!! with his work as a teacher paul was also a comhaltas adjudicator!
paul has toured far and wide across europe and the u.s.a with his passion for music, he even went as far afield as timbuktu in the sahara desert in 2006, which he remarked was a very humbling experience!!
it has been said that paul was 'one of the worlds formost proponents of this noble art form and his drumming pedigree was undeniable, his style of playing is known as 'top-end', this is an emerging style that takes the instrument to new height of performance and he wascapable of virtuoso level play'
paul touched many lives both with his music and his personality, he was an inspiration who was loved and respected by all who knew him. he was a very genuine, caring person, this presented itself in many ways including his work with friend and fellow musician, paul marshall from 'bingbangbong' and 'different drums of ireland' who worked on projects for children with disabilities.
paul was also a retired member of saul A.O.H div. 356.
in previous years paul also worked with parasol promotions, a security firm, he worked on many doors of pubs and clubs around belfast and was referred to as 'the nicest scary man you could meet', paul always stood firm with his fellow doormen and always took a diplomatic approach to diffusing a situation, he was always polite and courteous and would make sure you had a taxi home.
he always had a positive approace to life and many have listened to his famous slogan 'no sweat'.
paul spent his final 24 hours doing what he loved most, that saturday he spent the day with his wife oonagh whom he adored, driving around the countryside and stopping for lunch before leaving his grandson criostoir to 'keep the bed warm' for him coming home, and heading off to his friend's brendan(brains) carson's house to meet several fellow musicians for a session, he was quoted to have said 'now thats the perfect end to the perfect day'
paul was driving back home to his wife when he suffered a sudden heart attack, while coming over scotch street in downpatrick. he was but a few weeks off his 48th birthday even more tragically he was but a few minutes from home.
paul was brought from his home on wednesday 19th september to st. colmcilles church in downpatrick where he married his wife a mere 28 years before, there were so many people in attendance some had to stand outside, while his former band members played tunes they had performed many times before and his favourite song 'grace' was sung by the beautiful voice of oonagh fitzsimons, paul was then buried in struell cemetary with his tipper(drum stick) in his hand and his bodhran laid on top as he was lowered to the ground. a recording of one of his drum solo's was played by his graveside followed by 'you'll never walk alone' as tribute to his favourite football team liverpool f.c, everyone regarless of their conflicting support, sang loud and proud with tear-stained faces!
never before has one person touched so many lives!!!
we are all so very proud of his achievments in the music business. he touched a great many lives with his wit and ability to cheer anybody up, always had a smile and the most wonderful twinkle in his eyes!!!
it is unbearable to know that we will never be able to speak to him or recieve one of his hugs that, no matter what you were feeling, always made the world that brighter a place to live!!!
he will be sorely missed and always respected!!
THE ETERNAL DRUMMER!!Layout powered by HOT FreeLayouts
