Lake Isle of Innisfree which inspired Yates and Charlie Leydon.
Michael Walsh provides this months write-up on the Octobers Irish Heritage Group meeting and reminds us that; The general public are welcome at all Birmingham Irish Heritage Group Events, which commence at 7pm on the first Wednesday of each month upstairs at the luxuriously refurbished Irish Centre in High Street, Deritend, Birmingham.
Story Behind the Ballad
The stories behind a selection of traditional Irish Ballads/poems were revealed, prior to hearing them at the October Event of the Birmingham Irish Heritage Group. It was so warmly welcomed by the crowd that an Event completely devoted to the playing of traditional Irish Ballads/poems, and hearing their secret stories will be held in the near future. The general public are welcome at all Birmingham Irish Heritage Group Events, which commence at 7pm on the first Wednesday of each month upstairs at the luxuriously refurbished Irish Centre in High Street, Deritend, Birmingham.
John McIntyre spoke eloquently on the origins of his selected ballad the very moving and beautiful love song “Down by the Sally Gardens” which was then played and much enjoyed by all. Charlie Leydens contribution ranged from Birmingham to USA and on to Sligo and the famous Irish Poet W B Yates, and a recitation of his poem The Lake Isle of Innishfree.
More sombre was the playing of Phil Coulters moving Ballad “The Town I Loved so Well” about Derry. It was preceded by the recounting of the story of Finbarr O’Doherty, who during an early civil rights demonstration had jumped into the Mayor’s chair, and consequently had to flee Derry as he was a marked man. He was not the only one, Finbarr himself had recounted how as children they had played in Derry, the town they loved so well, and later the half dozen childhood friends were scattered, some on the run, one in Long Kesh, one killed. They had paid the price for half a century of neglect by London and Dublin.
The October Event also dealt in a very efficient manner with the necessary business of the Annual General Meeting for the year 2009. Readers who have ever attended AGM’s of even the most worthy organisations will have noticed the low numbers attending, but happily this was not so with the Heritage Group. There was a fair crowd and they were happy to voice their opinions, and all participated in voting on decisions for the forthcoming year.
Anne Scott the Group Event Organiser spoke to her printed report on all the speakers brought in during the last year, and on forthcoming events. She drew particular attention to the next event on Wednesday 4th of November 2009, having the rather mysteries title A Tragedy of the Wild Geese. It will be presented by Adam Lyons who survived an encounter with the formidable Paxman when a contestant on University Challenge.
There were votes in favour of returning last year’s committee to office, extending the area of the Groups operations and increasing subscriptions. Many of those attending spoke strongly in favour of an increase in subscriptions, because it would show how much members valued the continuing work of the group. The business of the AGM was followed by the collection of prizes, by the many delighted winners of the raffle. Then on to the refreshments and probably the most important part of the evening conversation with friends and acquaintances who share your interests. Then downstairs to more substantial refreshments, available in the luxuriously appointed Connaught Bar, whilst setting the world to rights with one’s companions.
Michael Walsh
Derry, the town they loved so well as children and which inspired Phil Coulter.
