Like many great stories, Mickey “Bones” Tumilty’s story as a musician begins in a bar. A butcher friend told him he had some left over bones and Mickey wanted to fashion them into a musical instrument. 

He became a member of the Windy Gap Folk Group and travelled across the United States, with a crowning performance at the Grand Ole Opry. Mickey shares his memories and reflections in a short, but poignant interview. 

The bones are a traditional folk instrument with a long history across many cultures. Ireland has a method unique to the island. While other cultures typically see bones players using both hands, Irish players use one hand which allows a more variable sound and rhythm. Mickey Bones demonstrates the Irish method several times throughout this interview. 

Interview carried out for Shared History Project, a community relations project carried out to connect the residents of Hilltown, Castlewellan and Rathfriland