Tara Lynch

Chairperson, Reynolds-Hanafin-Cooley Branch

Tara Lynch  was born in the Bronx, New York to parents Jerry and Betty (Hegarty) Lynch from Kilfenora, Co. Clare-Jerry an avid button accordion player, and Betty a singer. A grandfather, granduncle, aunts, uncles, cousins, and her father Jerry have all been associated with the music of Kilfenora and its Ceili Bands. Tara herself began on the accordion at age 11 when she, her brother Elwood, and her parents moved to Corofin, Co. Clare.

For 26 years, in three countries and four CCE branches, Tara has belonged to Comhaltas. She helped to organize Hanafin-Cooley’s hosting of the 2003 North American Convention in April, in Boston. She fondly remembers playing and singing with family members and friends in Ireland, at house parties held with a mixture of generations, music, song, dance, recitation, and chat-and wants to continue that tradition.

For all their time, patience, encouragement, guidance and memories – to her parents, relations, and many friends encountered through the common bond of Irish music and tradition; and to music itself, for providing a source of rejuvenation in times of ill health – Tara expresses thanks.