Mike Rafferty

Honored November 30, 1990.  (R.I.P.)

2010 NEA National Heritage Fellow

It gives me great pleasure to welcome our second inductee into the C.C.E. Hall of Fame, Mike Rafferty from Ballinakill, Co. Galway.  Mike has always been to the fore in promoting Irish music.  We are fortunate to have a flute player of his caliber to induct here tonight.  His devotion to music is best exemplified by his teaching of the younger generation.  We can look forward to the future with confidence in the passing on of some of his limitless tunes. 

Mike arrived in the US in 1949 and lived in White Plains for awhile.  He played with some of the greats in music over the years including Joe Burke, Joe Madden, Jack Coen, Paddy Reynolds and the late Sean McGlynn.  He moved to New Jersey after his marriage to his beautiful wife, Teresa.  They are the proud parents of five children, Kathleen, Teresa, Michael, Patrick, and Mary Bridget; and four grandchildren Tony, Amy, Keith, and Amanda. 

It is right and fitting that Mike should be our second inductee into the Hall of Fame as he epitomizes the best in the Music of Galway and will continue to do so for a long time to come.  Whenever traditional music is heard, Mike is bound to be in the center. 

Cead mile failta a Miceal

Agus Gac Beannact 

– Jack Whelan