Monaghan Town mourns loss of local Blues legend

BLUES MUSIC in Monaghan Town lost part of its pulse and heartbeat with the passing on Sunday July 26 at Cavan General Hospital of Anthony Ballantine from 6 Devin Reilly Terrace and formerly of Belgian Square in the town.

Over the past 20 years Anthony’s exceptional harmonica playing supplied essential notes for the blossoming of the blues in Monaghan, his riffs heard most often at the regular Blues Jams sessions held at McKenna’s Bar in Dublin Street. His style of playing epitomised the man himself – without frills, authentic, brimming with passion and commitment and always blown straight from the heart.

Anthony never sought the limelight but when invited to jam he was often the irresistible magnet of audience attention and his live performances delivered pleasure and lasting memories to countless blues devotees who have expressed their sorrow at his passing across many social media channels in the last week.

McKenna’s Bar, the spiritual home of the Monaghan blues, posted a tribute conveying sorrow at “the passing of a true town legend” and described Anthony as “a gifted musician and a lifelong friend to the McKenna family” who will “forever live in our hearts”.

Monaghan musician Paul Sherry expressed sadness at the passing of his blues “brother” and endorsed Anthony’s legendary status. Recalling the mentor he was to aspiring blues exponents, Paul said, “As a kid jamming with him…he gave me the best advice: ‘No pedals, plug straight in the amp and play like your life depends on it.’”

The musicians of the Monaghan Blues Jam said the harp exponent will be sadly missed and fondly remembered by the town music community and “everyone who had the good fortune to see and hear Anthony play the blues”. Future Blues Jam sessions will be dedicated to his memory.

Tributes are also planned during this year’s Harvest Time Blues Festival in Monaghan Town from September 4-6, an event that will be immeasurably poorer for Anthony’s absence from the jams that traditionally fringe the main stage performances.

Aside from his musical prowess, Anthony was a man defined by his deep Republican convictions. He carried a formidable and informed knowledge of Irish history and politics, and a remarkable breadth of other subjects, with light self-deprecation, and he had a droll, quick and infectious wit.

A message of condolence to George, a committee member, and Alan, the club’s senior goalkeeper, was posted by the Monaghan Town FC soccer club.

Anthony is survived by wife Helen, children Emily, Rosie, Karl and Conor, ten grandchildren, brother George, nephews David and Alan, niece Laura and extended family.

His funeral mass was celebrated in St Macartans Cathedral last Thursday morning, July 30, followed by burial in Laturcan cemetery.