Career
The area is a scenic mountainous area overlooking Lough Allen and the surrounding countryside. As a young man McKenna worked in the Arigna Collieries. The couple went on to have nine children, six of whom survived.
McKenna’s recording career spanned from 1921 to 1937.
He recorded with New Republic, O"Byrne De Witt, Columbia and Decca Records, amongst others John McKenna was responsible for reintroducing Leitrim tunes such as "Lucky in Love", "The Sailor and the Rock" and the "Happy Days of Youth".
His legacy of recordings made him one of the most influential flute players in Irish traditional music – he has influenced De Dannan, Frankie Gavin and Matt Molloy. John McKenna died is buried at Calvary Cemetery, Hawthorne, New New York
A monument to McKenna"s music legacy was erected in Tarmon in 1980.
Shortly afterwards the John McKenna Music Festival was instituted, which takes place every year in Drumkeeran.
