One of the many tributes paid to Mary McPartlan following her death on 6th April called her “Ireland’s best kept secret”. Mary was completely immersed in the Arts in Ireland and her many talents ensured that she brought success and something special to eveything she became involved in.
Although she was part of a folk duo called Calypso in the 1970’s it took some convincing to get her to the recording studio. When she did agree to record she did it to raise funds for the charity “Simon” and she chose PJ Curtis to produce the album for her in 2004. The album was called “The Holland Hankerchief” and it went on to receive ecstatic reviews and was voted MOJO folk album of the year.
President Michael D. Higgins and his wife Sabina paid tributes to McPartlan whom they described as a “dear friend”. In the statement, President Higgins said the Leitrim-born folk singer, who won many awards, “leaves a legacy of achievement for the arts that will endure”.
PJ Curtis, spoke to Ger Sweeney about Mary McPartlan and offered an insight into the importance and significance of her involvement in so many Arts-related projects and programmes. He recalls the fun they had making “The Holland Handkerchief” and while this is a tribute to Mary McPartlan, PJ also pays tributes to some other great musicians and singers that passed away in recent weeks.