I am delighted to be a member of the Ulster History Circle, a group of volunteers who are behind the erection of distinctive blue plaques throughout the nine counties of Ulster.
Having been curtailed by the Covid pandemic, the Circle is working through a considerable backlog of plaques in the pipeline and ideas for people who should be commemorated.
I was honoured to be asked to be the lead for the Circle in respect of a plaque to Miss Netta Johnston, who was from Carnlough on the Antrim Coast. As an Ulster Scot I am more familiar with bagpipes then uilleann pipes, so the story of Jane Nicholl Johnston was an interesting one for me.
Born into a musical family, Netta was born in July 11, 1878, and lived with her family for a time at Sydenham in Belfast. But when her father died suddenly in 1891 Mrs. Johnston moved back to Carnlough with her two sons and three daughters.
They lived in Netta’s grandparents home – a hardware store and funeral directors – at the bottom of the Whitehill Road in the village, overlooking the sea.
Netta’s father had sang, her mother played the piano, and her sister Edith played the violin.
As Netta grew up she excelled beyond them all, learning the violin, whistle, uilleann pipes and church organ.
On her half day off from the family business, she would travel to Belfast to have uilleann pipe lessons from a renowed piper, R. L. O’Mealy.
In 1904 Miss Johnston – as she was known in Carnlough – became actively involved in the first Feis Na nGleann, and she was involved until the 1930s.
She also played the organ in the St. Mary’s Church of Ireland on the Largy Road outside Carnlough, where the family grave is sheltered by trees and a hedge on a height overlooking the North Channel.
Quite a character, she also formed the Carnlough Non-Sectarian Band in the 1920s and 1930s, but she is best known as the Lady Piper of Carnlough and seen as an outstanding uilleann piper.
It was a great tribute to her that Louise Mulcahy, the foremost Irish uilleann piper, journeyed all the way from Wicklow to be at the unveiling of Netta’s blue plaque on Thursday. Her arrival enthused the locals: this was a superstar from the traditional music scene come to be a part of the occasion. Louise had featured Netta’s story on television previously and she clearly feels a strong connection with the Carnlough piper.
She was also joined by Aoife Kinney, a scholarship winner in the tradition, her sister Noinin and mum Marie in playing for those who assembled in the Carnlough Hub for tea and sandwiches following the event.
Further down the road, when the unveiling took place by Rev. Violet Johnston, Netta’s niece, as the curtains revealed the plaque the strains of Green Glens of Antrim were played by Marie on the uilleann pipes.
Netta passed away in March 1953 but she is still remembered in Carnlough and Mary Watson of the local community group spoke at the event of what an outstanding musician she was.
Looking up at the plaque and reflecting, Rev. Violet said she thought her auntie would have approved.
Like all such plaques, there is a limit on words which can be used, so there is much more about Netta Johnston than can be featured.
But the wording sums up very adequately the story of this unique women of the Glens: Uilleann Piper, Teacher of Music, The Lady Piper of Carnlough.
Now she will be remembered by new generations of villagers as well as by many visitors who travel along the world-famous Antrim coast road…
heritageandcultureblog 