A blue plaque is to be unveiled this weekend in memory of one of Derry’s best known and most successful musicians, teachers and mentors.
James McCafferty, who died in 1995, was teacher to many of the city's great talents, including Phil Coulter, Dana Rosemary Scallon, Margaret Keys, Frank Gallagher and Doreen Curran among others.
The plaque will be unveiled by the Ulster History Circle on Saturday (1pm) at the 25 Francis Street home where Mr McCafferty lived and taught music throughout his 80-year life.
The event also marks the completion of Feis Dhoire Cholmcille which this year celebrated its centenary and with which Mr McCafferty was closely associated as teacher, choirmaster and accompanist.
Ulster History Circle chairman, Chris Spurr said Mr McCafferty was a musical polymath whose influence spread through every aspect of music in Derry. He formed, trained and conducted more than 20 choirs and was the lynchpin of Feis Dhoire Cholmcille and St Columb's Hall of which he was musical director. He also ran his own dance band, 'The Carlton Swingtette'.
“His choirs included ‘The McCafferty Singers’, ‘The Ten Columbians’ and 'The Little Gaelic Singers’. The latter choir was formed in 1956 in collaboration with Brendan De Glin, the Irish dance teacher, and together they toured America four times, playing for presidents and movie stars, including Bing Crosby,” Mr Spurr said.
Following his 1961 tour at which The Little Gaelic Singers played for John F Kennedy, the president wrote thanking him for a gift Mr McCafferty had presented to him.
A skilled performer in his own right, Mr McCafferty accompanied famed tenor, Josef Locke during his Blackpool summer season in 1969.
“James McCafferty was an outstanding man of music, who delighted countless thousands through his exceptional talents.
“One hundred years since the first Feis Dhoire Cholmcille, the Ulster History Circle is delighted to commemorate this renowned musician, teacher, choirmaster and Feis accompanist with a blue plaque at the house where he lived all his life,” Mr Spurr said.
