The next generation Leahy
By Jay Cooper Contributor / Musican
Following the Family Tradition The
Leahy family are not only known and loved throughout the world, but they are also the pride and joy of Lakefield Ontario. The eleven siblings worked hard with countless shows and their efforts are definitely noticed with a Platinum Album, three Juno Awards and an Academy Award for a short film about the family. So now it’s time for The Next Generation Leahy kids to take centre stage. Sitting down with father Doug and the children was a history lesson and what’s to come in the future. The conversation started with Doug explaining, “I’m 5th generation Irish. Michael Leahy came over here with his family in 1825. My mom is from Cape Breton Nova Scotia and met my father in the Ottawa Valley at a fiddle contest. The Leahy farm is a busy place on Hwy 28 just east of Lakefield. Throughout spring till fall, the Leahy Market is where the family all work together. Doug says, “Mom and Dad bought this farm 50 years ago, I took it over in 2000 with my wife Jennifer and we have nine children”. Why do they love Lakefield and the Kawarthas? “It’s amazing to have the opportunity to travel the world with our music, but when you go away makes you appreciate what home is. We love the landscape, trees and water. And the proximity to Toronto is wonderful for traveling. The land, crops and cattle are what I grew up with and I’m passing it along to our children. It’s a wonderful environment to raise a family. The stage and the travel are fantastic but there has to be balance between both. And home is home”, says Doug. How is it possible that all these siblings can play different instruments and dance so well? Doug explains, “My Dad was the youngest of nine boys and they all played instruments and he didn’t. They had a Page 44
