Betty Lynch (née Hegarty)

Betty Lynch (née Hegarty), born in 1934 in Boghil, Kilfenora, is a respected traditional singer and a beloved figure in the musical life of North Clare. In her younger years, she was known for her beautiful singing voice and would sometimes perform with the Kilfenora Céilí Band, adding her voice to the sound of one of Ireland’s most iconic groups. Her brother, Tom Hegarty, played fiddle with the band in the 1930s and 1940s, continuing a strong family tradition.

Betty married Jerry Lynch, a long-standing member of the Kilfenora Céilí Band, and together they raised a musical family. Their daughter, Tara Lynch, is a gifted accordion player, continuing the family’s involvement in traditional music.

For many years, the Lynch family lived between Ireland and the USA, returning home regularly and staying closely connected to their roots in Kilfenora. Betty and Jerry eventually returned to Ireland and lived in Cragmoher, Corofin where she lives to this day close to her son Elwood.