Group of tin objects

This group of tin objects was made by Mickey Doherty, Co Donegal.

Mickey Doherty (1894-1970) made his living as a travelling musician and tinsmith in Donegal. 

The National Museum of Ireland is fortunate to have a group of objects made by him. This group includes two tin mugs (F:1951.176-7), a grater (F:1951.180), parafin lamp (F:1951.181) and a teapot or tea drawer (F:1951.179).

Fiddle playing ran through his family from both parents. Mickey and his brother John (1900-1980) and father Mickey Mór and uncles Alec and Mickey McConnell, were all noted expert tinsmiths and fiddle players. 

Mickey Doherty's fiddle playing was first recorded by Kevin Danaher and Sean O' hEochaidh of the Irish National Folklore Commission/Comhairle Bhealoideas Eireann in February 1949 at the house of local teacher Eoin Mhichil Mhic an Luain in the Blue Stack Mountains, Donegal.

His music was first issued as a cassette in 1990 and more recently on CD. The first CD starts with Mickey's voice introducing an old slip jig 'learnt from the fairies'.