Commins Calling - Mar 21, 2007

Making Contact in Kiltimagh

Michael Commins

NOSTALGIA reigned supreme at the meeting of the Contact group in the new Park Hotel in Kiltimagh last week. This was a special night jointly hosted by Patsy and Moira Gormally and Nancy and Fred Reeb and they were accorded a very warm welcome on their visit to Kiltimagh.
Patsy was born and raised in nearby Cleragh and spent many years in England. He and his wife Moira, who hails from Aughnacloy, Co Tyrone, now reside in Co Antrim. Nancy Reeb’s ancestors were Mullaneys from the parish of Kiltimagh and she and her husband Fred, a native of Philadelphia, reside in Jersey. She is a leading genealogist and has a remarkable insight into the family histories of the Kiltimagh region.
It was Nancy who extended the invitation to me prior to leaving America for the trip to Shannon and Kiltimagh. And I’m glad that she did because it was a lovely night in the Park Hotel. Nancy and Fred are over from America for a five-week vacation.
Patsy Gormally took all on a journey down memory lane as he recalled many of the people who were part of his childhood in the Kiltimagh region. Peg Dunleavy seemed to remember most of them, bringing numerous smiles with her humorous recollections. Patsy has become a devoted listener to the internet service of Mid West Radio and especially enjoys Noel Grogan’s traditional music show. Noel is from Reisk, Bekan, and he and his wife Eileen came along to Kiltimagh to meet Patsy and Moira for the first time.
All the members were welcomed by Tom Moriarty who is the current chairperson of the Contact group, which was set up back in the 1990s during the time that Fr Adrian McHugh was in Kiltimagh. The main aim of Contact is to provide a social outlet for the senior members of the community. They hold a get-together and a social once a month during the winter months. These were held in Jerry Walsh’s Raftery Room for a good many years but now take place in the O’Hara Home. Local man Ollie Burke always comes along with his guitar and sings a few songs while others join in and render some favourite songs or poems.
Last week, they decided to host the event in the Park Hotel because the numbers were much larger than the usual gathering. Fr Paddy Kilcoyne brought along a lovely montage of photos of the members taken at the previous gathering and kindly loaned them to us for publication in The Mayo News. They are a lovely social record of a moment in time in Kiltimagh.
We had a good chat with former chairperson of the Contact group, Henry King, who is the current holder of the Kiltimagh Person of the Year title. It was also nice to meet John and Mary Keely, JT and Teresa King and Tom Cavanagh, all from the Carrandine and Derryvohey area. Peg Dunleavy sang the Minstrel Boy and delighted the gathering while PJ Hestor, formerly from the Ballycroy area, played a selection on the accordion and James Corcoran read one of his own poems.
Among those we met were Chris Benson, whose daughters Teresa and Kathleen had just returned to the USA after a vacation in their native town, Judy Byrne, Evelyn Nolan, Johnny and Annie Mae Kelly, and John McDonagh. It was also lovely to meet up with Bob and Susan Shannon of the Philadelphia Quaker Band. The towering Bob comes in at 6’10” and he was chosen as the Grand Marshal of the Parade in Kiltimagh on St Patrick’s Day as a tribute to their 20 years coming to the town.
And with Ollie Burke singing ‘Moonlight in Mayo’ and ‘The Isle of Inishfree’, the curtains came down on an enjoyable night in the Park Hotel in the town of Kiltimagh.
Many of those present would hardly be regarded as regular party revellers, but there was no doubt the night in Kiltimagh’s splendid new Park Hotel was a very special occasion for them. Several expressed the hope that such meetings could be organised on a more regular basis to make it easier for people to keep in contact.

‘The Stars from Caherlistrane’ – a tribute to the singing Keanes

THE Keane family from Caherlistrane command a special place in the hearts of many music followers, not only in the west of Ireland, but much further afield.
Dolores (right) was first to blaze the trail at national level with Sean doing likewise in the 1990s.
Now, Matt is making his own headlines with the recent release of his debut album, ‘Out In The Fields’.
Noreen Burke from Knockdoe, Claregalway, who released her album in recent years, has put pen to paper to celebrate the achievements of ‘The Stars from Caherlistrane’.

Some people say that stars are born
That it’s all part of God’s great plan.
Well, if that is true, then he has smiled
On the Keanes from Caherlistrane.
For one by one down through the years
Endless talent they’ve displayed
That was nurtured well in Carragh
In their parents’ old homestead.
Now they say their door was left unlocked
And if one could sing or play
There was a great Céad Míle Fáilte
‘Til the night time met the day.
For that’s where the seisiúns all began
Yes, that’s where the music flowed
When they raised the rafters many times
In their thatched cot by the road.
All this was part of life for them
Once they came home from the fields
And the old man sat beside the fire
Belting out the jigs and reels.
Their mam could sing a song as well
A sweet voice once had she
While their two beloved aunts were famed
For their sean-nós harmony.
So that’s what they have kept alive
Their own heritage with pride
While entertaining all at home
As well as worldwide.
Dolores sang Dear Galway Bay
With Gaelic blas so pure
And with strong and heartfelt passion
For her native spot I’m sure.
Then Sean, what can be said of Sean,
That has not been said before
He’s renowned and cherished ‘round the globe
Simply gifted to the core.
Then Pat and Noel, those rolling stones
Now on a level par
Just content to chant the Willow Tree
And the great Coast of Malabar.
Now here comes Matt, our good friend Matt
Heading for success it seems
As ’Out In The Fields’ will win for him
The summer of his dreams.
He has daughter Orlaith by his side
Just making her debut
So God smiled on those Keanes again
Believe it for it’s true.
- Noreen Burke
Knockdoe, Co Galway

Fleadh Ibiza gets ready to rock the Mediterranean

IT’S tenth anniversary time for the Fleadh Ibiza which brings together the largest gathering of its kind in Europe. Over 3,000 people will attend the two-week celebration on the Mediterranean island from April 16 to 30.
This year’s event is a real showcase for some of the big names in country and céilí, supported by equally talented duos and trios and an impressive line-up of top quality individual artists from both home and overseas. An added dimension for the special celebrations this year will be a special marquee which is being brought to Ibiza to re-create the magic of the Showband days. Showband memorabilia will also form part of the celebrations.
The four-star Seaview Country Club close to San Antonio is the beautiful setting for what is a truly special experience. And you catch the relaxed mood of the island in a special way prior to the advent of the real tourist season some weeks later. The vast bulk of the revellers are from Ireland and the UK and many have been making the trip year after year, the best endorsement of all.
Behind the entire venture is a Mayo man who spent 20 years in a high-profile managerial job with Bord Fáilte in the English Midlands. Gerry Flynn hails from Ardnaree, Ballina, and he and his family operate the highly successful Enjoy Travel Company which is based in Blackburn.
The Fleadh series started off with less than 200 people and, over the last few years, has blossomed into a spectacular event. While the Ibiza fortnight is the flagship promotion of the company, there are also several other highly successful ventures including the Fleadh Portugal in October as well as special overseas promotions at Christmas and St Patrick’s Day.
Last September, Gerry and the company ran the first ever Irish Country and Céilí cruise of the Mediterranean and they are repeating this venture again in September with bookings already heavy for the seven day cruise. Mexico is a new destination this year and one which they are promoting in a big way.
The first week in Ibiza from April 16 - 23 is completely sold out and there are just a few places left for the second week which runs from April 23 - 30.
There’s a strong Mayo connection with the annual Fleadh with Newport’s Mick Kelly among the coordinators. Mick is also one the set dance workshop organisers for the two weeks in Ibiza, while Tom and Noreen Carter from Westport will be on hand to teach some ballroom dancing. This year also sees Seamus and Linda Melvin from Bonniconlon take charge of the jiving lessons for all the folks heading to Ibiza. Trevor Moyles and his band are making their debut at the Fleadh this year.
Among the big names at this year’s gathering are Foster and Allen, Johnny McEvoy, Dermot O’Brien, Fintan Stanley, Tony Stevens, PJ Murrihy, and a host of other well-known entertainers. The first week leans towards céilí and set dancing with plenty of country music as well, while the second week has more of the country music but still has plenty to cater for the céilí and set dancing enthusiasts.
There are flights from Knock, Shannon, Dublin, Manchester and Gatwick and special arrangements for friends from the United States, Canada and other locations.
The full line-up for Week One of the Fleadh Ibiza is: The Mort Kelleher Céilí Band, Copperplate Céilí Band, Tony Stevens Band, Danny Webster, Jackie Nelson, Philomena and Michael O’Brien, Owen Condon, Nicky James, Sam O’Doherty, Catherine Darcy and Images, Breege Kelly and Michael Cleary, Foster and Allen in concert, Galway Bay Jazz Men, Pat Jordan, Curtis Magee, Seamus Shannon and Declan Aungier, Dermot Hegarty, Johnny Carroll, Irene and Full Circle, Sean Wilson, Trevor Moyles Band, Padraig Farrell and Fanfayre, Fintan Stanley, Dermot O’Brien, Michael Muldoon, The Glenside Céilí Band, The Enjoy Travel Band and Sharon Turley.
The line-up for those travelling for the festivities from April 23-30 includes Foster and Allen, TR Dallas, Copper Plate Céilí Band, Johnny McEvoy, Fintan Stanley, Dermot O’Brien, Michael Sexton and Pat Walsh, The Tony Stevens Band, Danny Webster, Philomena and Michael O’Brien, Nicky James, Sam O’Doherty, Catherine Darcy and Images, Breege Kelly and Michael Cleary, Galway Bay Jazz Men, Pat Jordan, Curtis Magee, Seamus Shannon and Declan Aungier, Dermot Hegarty, Johnny Carroll, Sean Wilson, Padraig Farrell and Fanfayre, Michael Muldoon, Sharon Turley and The Enjoy Travel Band and Johnny McEvoy.
The all-in price for flights, accommodation, dinner and breakfast each day, plus all the entertainment is just €829. Those interested in checking out details of the last few places for the second week in Ibiza can contact Mickey Kelly at 098 41174 or the Enjoy Travel Company at 0044 1254692899.

I’ll Walk Beside You
This popular song from back the years was composed by Edward Lockton. He wrote numerous songs, mainly of the inspirational variety, and they were hugely popular in England and Australia.
I’ll walk beside you through the world today
While dreams and songs and flowers bless your way
I’ll look into your eyes and hold your hand
I’ll walk beside you through the golden land.
I’ll walk beside you through the world tonight
Beneath the starry skies ablaze with light
And in your heart love’s tender words I’ll hide
I’ll walk beside you through the eventide.
I’ll walk beside you through the passing years
Through days of cloud and sunshine, joy and tears
And when the great call comes, the sunset gleams
I’ll walk beside you to the land of dreams.

Tom lends helping hand in Clifden
NOT for the first time, Tom Connolly from Clifden has come to the assistance of people tracing relatives in the Connemara region. Some time ago, I had a lovely letter from Gerry Meyrick, Cortoon, Kiltimagh who was trying to assist a friend of his in England who was tracing a long lost cousin.
During the week, Gerry dropped me another letter with the following update. “Some weeks ago, I wrote to you and you kindly printed the letter in your pages. It was a pretty hopeless task. But, your pages worked the trick.
“Shortly after this letter, I got a kind letter from Tom Connolly, genealogist, from the Irish Local Historians Society in Galway who undertook to help my friend.
“I passed this letter to my friend in England. He was overwhelmed with the response from Tom Connolly and is currently in contact with him.
“Firstly, Michael, thanks for your help. Secondly, through your pages may I thank Tom Connolly for his kind response. Hopefully, the contact between Tom and my friend in England will result in a reunion.”
Thanks again, Gerry, and let’s hope the story has a pleasant and fruitful ending.

James to release new album
ACHILL’S James Kilbane has a busy few weeks ahead. His new album, ‘Life’s Miracle’ will be released on March 30, while he will undertake a major Country Gospel concert in the Church of Saint Thomas, Callow, Killasser, on Sunday, April 15 at 8pm. The concert is in support of Saint Thomas’ church development fund.
New songs that James will feature include his latest hit, ‘Ticket Home’, as well as some lovely new Christian country ballads such as ‘Look What He’s Given To Me’, ‘Wanderer’s Prayer’ and ‘Waiting On A Miracle’. Old favourites like ‘One Day At A Time’ and ‘I Saw The Light’ are all part of the programme. At Saint Thomas’ church, James will be joined by special guest singers including Brenda Grealis and the All Ireland champion ballad group singers, Lasair.
Over the past year or so, James has delivered some fine performances up and down the country and he has become a firm favourite on the Country Gospel circuit. Patrons are in for a real treat when James takes his show to Callow in mid-April.
Tickets are available from the Parish committee members, and at outlets including Foxford Post Office, Mace Supermarket in Swinford, The Father Peyton Centre, Jacinta Gallagher at 094 9256510 or Maureen Murphy at 094 9251525.

Seamus takes a short break
POPULAR Roscommon musician and singer Seamus Shannon is taking a short break from the business for a few weeks. He is currently in the process of finishing off his latest album. Seamus and his good friend PJ Murrihy have enjoyed huge success on the circuit in recent years.

Coll and Quinn for summer shows
TWO of the legends of Irish country music, Brian Coll and James Quinn, will form a central part of a show that will tour a number of northern theatres this summer. ‘A different kind of Country’ is the title for the show which will also feature James Quinn, Malachy Cush and Scotland’s Anne Williamson. The nearest date to us here in the west will be the show in the Ardowen Theatre in Enniskillen which takes place on Friday night, June 8. This show is now booking at 048 66325440.