A CHAMPION of traditional music has died following a fall just moments after she accepted an award for her contribution to Irish culture.
Galway native Annie McConnell-Strong had chaired the Comhaltas Ceoltoirí Éireann in Canada East for 37 years.
Annie McConnell-Strong. (Picture: Facebook)Prior to her retirement this year she had arranged one last tour, Echoes of Erin 1916, which ran for 10 nights over the last fortnight at the Gerry Gallagher Hall in Toronto.
On the final night of the tour last Sunday, October 2, Mrs McConnell-Strong was invited on stage at the end of the show to accept an award in appreciation for 37 years of hard work.
According to the announcement on her son Finny McConnell's band The Mahones' social media account, the award was a proud moment.
"She beamed as she accepted it, in front of her family and many of her dear friends," it read.
But as Mrs McConnell-Strong left the stage, she fell and tragically succumbed to her injuries yesterday at Sunnybrook Hospital, surrounded by her family.
Mr McConnell, writing on his Facebook page, added: "I am devastated to report that my beloved mother, Anne McConnell, passed away today.
"My mother was a lifelong champion of Irish culture in Canada, and led Comhaltas North America for 37 years.
She put together one final tour this year, Echoes of Erin, and last night was the final concert.
"They presented her with an award at the end of the night, which she accepted, beaming. On her way off of the stage, she fell. Tragically, she succumbed to her injuries.
My mother was my angel, my inspiration, my guiding light."
The band, who are an Irish punk group, were due to tour Britain and Europe this month but have cancelled all dates to "recover from this unbelievable loss."
In a tribute on their Facebook page, they said, "We are devastated, Annie was our biggest fan and supporter, we loved her tremendously."
Born and raised in Co. Galway, Mrs McConnell Strong was a former nurse who trained in London.
She left for Canada in the 1960s eventually settling in Kingston, Ontario where she become co-owner of the Frontenac Hotel as well as managed two Irish pubs called Finnegan’s and Muldoon’s.
In 1978 she arranged for the Echoes of Erin Concert Tour Group to include Kingston in their schedule and founded the local branch of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann the same year.
She was elected elected Chairperson of the Eastern Comhaltas Regional Board in 1988.
