Sir, – Whether we knew him or not – and I was lucky enough to have known him well – Ireland has lost a great friend ("Tony MacMahon, 'giant' of Irish traditional music, dies", News, October 9th). His musical genius on the accordion demonstrated over and over again how one phrase was enough to transcend the trivialities that characterise so much of today's entertainment, entertainment that disguises itself as culture. And he had the panache and the personality to match the vigour and beauty of his powerful repertoire.
More than anything else, Tony had the humility to know that his immense talent was the stuff of ages and it was this insight into the intangible asset of Gaeldom that imparted such grace and energy to his spellbinding performances. – Yours, etc,
GABRIEL ROSENSTOCK,
Gleann na gCaorach,
Co Átha Cliath.