Joe Cooley was an Irish musician known for his traditional accordion music.
11 Facts About Joe Cooley
1.
2.
Joe Cooley was one of the earliest members of the Tulla Ceili Band when, as the St Patrick's Amateur Band, Tulla, they won the ceili band competition at Feile Luimni in 1946.
3.
Joe Cooley played with the Tulla on their first broadcast for Radio Eireann in 1948.
4.
Joe Cooley rejoined the band when he returned from England towards the end of 1950.
5.
Joe Cooley left the band in 1958 while on tour and stayed in the US.
6.
Joe Cooley moved from New York to Chicago and finally to San Francisco.
7.
Joe Cooley is regarded as one of the most accomplished and influential Irish button accordionists.
8.
Joe Cooley returned to Ireland in the spring of 1973 after becoming ill with cancer.
9.
Joe Cooley toured the pubs of Clare and Galway with his friend the banjo player Des Mulkere until shortly before his death in December 1973.
10.
Joe Cooley's accordion is believed to be in the hands of the great Irish accordionist Tony MacMahon of Clare, IE.
11.
Originally named "The Tulla Reel," the tune has since become associated with Joe Cooley and is a standard in the Irish traditional music repertoire.