|  Phil
McGing was
born in Tourmakeady, County Mayo, in 1923. He began learning the
melodeon at age 6. When he came to Cincinnati in 1946, he brought
his button accordion and his love of Irish music. Playing at the Irish
Day Picnic the next year he met Delia Kilcoyne, from Louisburgh,
also in Mayo! They were soon wed and remained so until his death 58
years later.
Phil was a founding member of the Ancient Order of Hibernians in Cincinnati.
The AOH sponsored step dancing classes and Phil was in charge of
getting teachers. They became the Cincinnati Hibernian Dancers.
One student, his daughter Mary, proved so apt she became a teacher. In 1977
the group became the McGing School
of Irish Dancers, which today, under
Mary's direction, is a very healthy and successful program; several of whose
dancers are also gifted and active musicians in Craobh Riley.
Phil performed often around the area and appeared on the 1979 recording, "Snow
in the Roof, Fire in the Furnace." Upon retirement in 1985, he decided
to teach himself the fiddle!
The Philip McGing Scholarship at the Riley School of Irish Music has been
established, under the guidance of his daughter Mary McGing, funded through
the generosity of his family and friends.
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