Eithne Vallely, a celebrated traditional Irish musician and educator, died Friday morning after being struck by a lorry on Portadown Road in Armagh. She was 81. Police received the report at approximately 8:20 a.m. and Vallely was pronounced dead at the scene, the PSNI confirmed. Officers have appealed for witnesses, citing reference 247 of 21/08/26.
Originally from Lifford, Co Donegal, Vallely co-founded the Armagh Pipers Club with her husband Brian in 1966. The club paid tribute to her as director of music, saying she had brought music into the lives of children across six decades.
Sinn Féin MP Dáire Hughes and MLA Cathal Boylan described Vallely as a "giant of Irish cultural life", praising her lasting impact on traditional Irish music.