Our columnist, Frank Brandon, fondly remembers Brendan Bowyer and the Royal Showband, “the Beatles of the Irish scene, drawing huge crowds to every venue where they played…”
It’s just after 10 am on the Bank Holiday Monday, and my phone tells me that it’s already 22 degrees out here in Creggs. In my mind I am trying to imagine what things would be like if this Covid thing hadn’t happened.
The beaches all over the country would be choc-a-bloc, there would be traffic jams everywhere, ice cream vans would be flat out selling their 99s and their choc ices, and in the evening the pubs would be wedged – with people drinking on the footpaths too. There would be music filling the air, and all would be perfect with the world.
However, it was not to be, and maybe it will be a while before we can enjoy all those things again. But the truth is that it is not that bad being out here in the sunshine in Creggs. We are now at 23 degrees, so it will soon be time to put on the sun cream, hit for the garden, and soak up the summer sun. And so you would say that all is good in my world – and mostly it is – but I have one thing bothering me on this glorious morning.
Over the weekend, Brendan Bowyer, one of Ireland’s greatest entertainers – maybe the greatest for more than sixty years – passed on to his eternal reward. Unless I missed it, there was no huge acknowledgement of his wonderful contribution to the Irish music scene. When Big Tom, Joe Dolan, Larry Cunningham, Brendan Grace, and other superstars of the Irish entertainment scene left this mortal world, the news was everywhere, all over the television and the papers, and there were tributes on every media form – and deservedly so. But so far, I have seen only an occasional article about the Waterford man, who in my opinion was the undoubted King of Irish music for so many years.
Way back in my young days, Brendan and the Royal Showband were the Beatles of the Irish scene, drawing huge crowds to every venue where they played, Brendan being mobbed by young ladies, and his Elvis impersonations literally driving the crowds mad. His singing voice, which was classically trained, was just wonderful, and coupled with his good looks, his athleticism, and I suppose his raw sex appeal (to women mostly), he was the complete package, and long before the rest of them followed in his footsteps, he was laying the foundations for everyone else.
On the recording front, his Elvis covers were absolutely brilliant, and of course The Hucklebuck (from 1965) became a massive hit. To this day it is played at functions everywhere. But for sheer quality, his version of Jerusalem is my favourite of all his songs, showcasing his wonderful voice at its absolute maximum. As with so many Irish public figures, he had a long battle with alcohol, which to his credit he eventually won. Indeed he was very open in later life about his struggles with drink. For me, Brendan Bowyer was a true genius; wonderful in full flight on stage, and the real King of Ireland, and a huge loss to Irish entertainment.
Once upon a time as a very young boy, I saw the Royal’s bus pass through Creggs on its way to the Sound of Music in Glenamaddy, and to this day I can remember the huge thrill it was just to see their vehicle, which really shows how much I idolised them. Tom Dunphy, the other big name with both the Royal, and subsequently The Big 8, died in a car crash in Dromod in 1975, and it took Brendan a long time to get over the tragic loss of his friend.
His time, at the age of 81, has now come, and I hope that Brendan and Tom are now Hucklebucking together, wherever they might be. Farewell Brendan…thanks for so many wonderful memories. You were the first and probably the best, and may you (and your hips) rest in peace.
Whisper it…a ‘little’ update on leprechauns
It’s funny what can catch a person’s eye during lockdown. Some day last week I came across a man called Kevin Woods who hails from Carlingford, Co. Louth. He tells us he is Ireland’s last Leprechaun Whisperer.
I won’t deny that my first reaction was one of total scepticism (and so was my second and third), but there was also no denying the seriousness and sincerity with which Mr. Woods talked about his beloved leprechauns and how he communicates with Carraig, the elder of the remaining 236 surviving Little People. Legend has it that in 1989 a leprechaun suit, bones and gold coins were found on Carlingford Mountain. Three years later Kevin Woods found more gold coins on a wall and (he says) those coins enabled him to communicate with the last of the leprechauns. In 2009, he got them protected under European law, and – like it or not, or believe it or not – Kevin Woods is Ireland’s last Leprechaun Whisperer.
I would love to think that they are still out there, but now that I am heading for my 70th year on this earth, wouldn’t you think I should have come across one by now? Here’s hoping!
A golden sporting moment…
On to sport now, and I am up to No. 5 in my all-time favourite sporting memories, and this time it’s back to rugby, and it’s the Grand Slam winning game against Wales in Cardiff in 2009, when Ireland took their first slam in 61 years in one of the most nail-biting finishes to a game that I have ever seen.
Imagine the scene – we are leading by two points as the clock goes into the last minute, when Paddy Wallace is penalised for being on the wrong side of a ruck. The kick is from 48 metres, straight in front of the goal, and as Stephen Jones lines it up, millions of Irish hearts all over the world are in mouths. He hits the ball cleanly, and time stands still as it sails towards the posts looking every inch a winner, until at the last moment it loses a bit of momentum, and drops under the crossbar, where Geordan Murphy catches it and touches it down, before sending the ball flying into the safety of the crowd. Just touching it down would have done, but kicking the ball out made doubly sure, and all hell broke loose everywhere. We kissed total strangers, hugged anyone we could find, and literally went crazy.
I was lucky enough to be in the Cardiff Stadium for the Golden Moment, and it is a memory to be treasured for all time, and another worthy inclusion in my top ten.
And finally…Mary’s big day
Finally for this week, out here in Creggs, Mary Kelly had a big birthday on Monday, 1st of June. In the new lockdown tradition it was honoured by a drive-by celebration. Mary is one of those people that communities are lucky to have, and there is nothing that happens that she is not involved in. However, along with all her local demands, she is deeply involved in fundraising for loads of other charities like Cancer Care West and the Lourdes Invalid Fund, and the mystery is how she fits everything into her hectic schedule.
Anyway, congratulations Mary on your big day, hope you had a good one, and here’s to many, many more. You share your birthday with the one and only Tom Connolly (who is a year older), so some day in the future ye could have a joint party.
‘Till next week, bye for now
