Jim Devlin
Obituary
It was with sadness that we learned of the passing of Jim Devlin who died suddenly of a heart attack on 19th January 1989. Jim was a traditional fiddler of the highest calibre but because of his shy, retiring nature he was possibly not as well known as his capabilities would have warranted.
Born in Glasgow of Irish parents, most of Jim’s upbringing was spent in Cookstown, County Tyrone in Northern Ireland. He started learning classical violin at school but from then on he developed his own style and expertise. He had quite a number of broadcasts to his credit, both on radio (Radio Scotland and Radio Eireann) and on Scottish Television. In a number of these he was teamed up with Pat McNulty, the champion Uillean piper from Rutherglen. As well as playing in Irish bands, Jim was a member of Pat’s ceilidh band for many years, in fact they had been associated for 30 years. In the last couple of years the two have guested at a number of Accordion and Fiddle Clubs, their varied programmes of Irish, Scottish and classical music being well received.
Jim was also a fairly regular attender at the East Kilbride A&F Club and at the ‘Riverside’ Club in Glasgow. He had no family and is survived by his wife, who lives in Bellshill, Jim will be missed by all who knew him and his music.
Box and Fiddle
Feb 1989 Year 12 No 5
Obituary
It was with sadness that we learned of the passing of Jim Devlin who died suddenly of a heart attack on 19th January 1989. Jim was a traditional fiddler of the highest calibre but because of his shy, retiring nature he was possibly not as well known as his capabilities would have warranted.
Born in Glasgow of Irish parents, most of Jim’s upbringing was spent in Cookstown, County Tyrone in Northern Ireland. He started learning classical violin at school but from then on he developed his own style and expertise. He had quite a number of broadcasts to his credit, both on radio (Radio Scotland and Radio Eireann) and on Scottish Television. In a number of these he was teamed up with Pat McNulty, the champion Uillean piper from Rutherglen. As well as playing in Irish bands, Jim was a member of Pat’s ceilidh band for many years, in fact they had been associated for 30 years. In the last couple of years the two have guested at a number of Accordion and Fiddle Clubs, their varied programmes of Irish, Scottish and classical music being well received.
Jim was also a fairly regular attender at the East Kilbride A&F Club and at the ‘Riverside’ Club in Glasgow. He had no family and is survived by his wife, who lives in Bellshill, Jim will be missed by all who knew him and his music.
Box and Fiddle
Feb 1989 Year 12 No 5