Heartbreaking tributes pour in after 'giant of Irish cultural life' killed in lorry crash in Armagh

The 81-year-old has been hailed as "a champion of traditional Irish music" who "devoted her life to preserving our musical heritage and passing it on to future generations"

Tributes have been paid to 'a giant of Irish cultural life in Armagh' who was killed in a road traffic collision on Friday.

The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) received a report at approximately 8.20am on Friday of a single-vehicle collision involving a lorry and a female pedestrian in the Portadown Road area.

Officers attended, alongside colleagues from other emergency services. Medical treatment was provided to the pedestrian, however, she was pronounced dead at the scene.

She has been named as Eithne Vallely, aged 81 years old, from the Armagh area.

Mrs Vallely, who was originally from Lifford, Co Donegal, was a renowned traditional music educator and served as Director of Music. for the Armagh Pipers Club, which she founded with her husband Brian in 1966.

Taking to social media, the Armagh Pipers Club paid an emotional tribute to its founding member: "Eithne brought music into the lives of children for six decades.

“Her enormous contribution to Irish traditional music was recognised nationally with many awards and honours.”

Sinn Fein MP Dáire Hughes also paid tribute to Mrs Vallely and her lifelong impact on traditional Irish music.

“I am deeply saddened at the news Eithne Vallely has passed away," the Newry and Armagh MP said in a statement.

“Eithne was a giant of Irish cultural life in Armagh and across Ireland – a pioneering musician. Her decades of contribution to music and cultural expression cannot be overstated, evidenced by her countless awards and honours.

“Eithne had a lifelong passion for traditional Irish music and was tremendously gifted, with strong musical lineage and a skill fostered on the tin whistle in primary school that would evolve into piano, violin and more.“Eithne was not only a great musician but she had been collecting and recording traditional music from an early age.”

“She passed this passion on to her family and the wider community through the founding of the Armagh Pipers Club with her husband, Brian. Her legacy will live on, through them and the countless others she inspired.

“My sincerest condolences to Eithne’s husband, Brian, her children, grandchildren and the wider Vallely clan, Eithne’s friends, neighbours and those who had the pleasure of playing music with her, or learning from her.

“Ar dheis Dé go raibh a hanam.”

Sinn Féin MLA Cathal Boylan has expressed his condolences to Mrs Valley's family as he paid tribute to the "pioneering musician". "We are deeply saddened by the passing of Eithne Vallely, a towering figure in Irish cultural life," he said.

"We were immensely fortunate that Eithne made Armagh her home. A pioneering musician, collector and champion of traditional Irish music, she devoted her life to preserving our musical heritage and passing it on to future generations.

"Through the Armagh Pipers Club, founded with her husband Brian, Eithne leaves a remarkable and lasting legacy.

"Our deepest condolences to Brian, the wider Vallely family, and all who knew and loved Eithne.

"Ar dheis Dé go raibh a hanam."

SDLP Armagh Councillor Thomas O'Hanlon has expressed his deep sadness following the passing of Eithne Vallely as he highlighted the "extraordinary contribution she made to the cultural and musical life of our city, this island and far beyond over many decades".

Councillor O'Hanlon said: "This is simply devastating news, and my thoughts and prayers are with Brian, the entire Vallely family and all those who loved Eithne at this incredibly difficult time.

"Together with Brian, she founded the Armagh Pipers Club, helping to place music and traditional Irish culture firmly at the heart of Armagh.

"Through the Club, Eithne taught, encouraged and inspired generations of children and young musicians. Many of the students she once taught are now the teachers of today, passing that same tradition on to another generation.

"In recent years, through my own involvement with the Pipers Club, I had the privilege of seeing Eithne’s work at close quarters. I witnessed the patience, care and encouragement she gave to young people. She was a gifted teacher, an experienced administrator and Director of Music, but above all she was someone who gave so generously of herself to others."

Councillor O'Hanlon added: "Eithne was first and foremost a wife and mother to her own family, but she also had a much wider family in the thousands of people who learned to sing, to play and to love traditional music because of her influence.

“There is no doubt that Eithne leaves an enormous gap in the Vallely family, but also across the cultural community of Armagh, throughout Ireland and much further afield."

"Her contribution can never be overstated. Armagh is a richer place because Eithne Vallely made it her home, and generations to come will continue to benefit from the legacy she leaves behind.

"My deepest sympathies are with Brian, the Vallely family and all who mourn her passing."

Anyone with information about the collision or who has dash-cam footage of what happened is asked to contact police using the witness appeal form at www.reporting.psni.police.uk/appeals quoting reference 247 21/08/26 or call 101.

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