THURSDAY
Podcasting the pols…
We’ve transformed one-third of our ‘back office’ into a studio… and are in full podcast mode! We’ve invited all eleven candidates standing in the General Election in Roscommon-Galway constituency to take part in a series of detailed interviews.
Some of the resulting podcasts have now been posted on the Roscommon People YouTube channel; more to follow as the days pass.
FRIDAY
Musings on Jon
I was greatly saddened to hear of the death today of the wonderful Jon Kenny. Not alone was he an extremely gifted entertainer – a brilliant comedian and very talented musician and actor – he was also a lovely, modest man.
A number of years ago, after the career high of his richly deserved success with Pat Shortt in ‘D’Unbelievables’, Jon was booked to perform in a play in Roscommon Arts Centre. When offered an opportunity to interview him, I jumped at the chance. After the interview, Jon asked where the craic was likely to be after the performance in the Arts Centre. I informed him that ‘Down the Hatch’ was a very nice, intimate pub where a few of us would be meeting later.
Shortly after 10.30 pm that night, this comedy giant casually strolled into the ‘Hatch’. The epitome of modesty, he joined us for a few drinks, punctuated by belly laughs effortlessly prompted by Jon. He was booked into Gleeson’s. A brief meeting with Jon the following day again left me with the impression that he was a notably likeable, humble and approachable individual.
His body of work will stand the test of time. As D’Unbelievables, Jon and Pat were extremely original and hilariously funny. It is very sad that Jon has passed on at the relatively young age of 66. He will be very fondly remembered. Jon Kenny (with Pat Shortt) brought much joy to the nation.
FRIDAY
A monument to Jimmy
Looking at the evocative old photographs on the walls of Murray’s Bar in Knockcroghery brought back memories of receiving first-hand reflections on their significance from the great man himself, the late Jimmy Murray.
We gathered in ‘Jamesie’s’ tonight to be updated on plans to unveil a statue in memory of Jimmy, a ceremony that will take place in the village green on Sunday, December 1st next.
It brought back memories of sitting with Jimmy in that same lounge area as Roscommon’s legendary All-Ireland double-winning captain chatted about some of those photos… while also producing his priceless scrapbook of newspaper cuttings, all bringing back to life the great feats of GAA teams around the country, with special emphasis on Roscommon’s back-to-back All-Ireland senior triumphs in 1943 and ’44. How privileged those of us who got to know the ever-modest Jimmy well were. He died in 2007.
Tonight, Thomas Murray, chairperson of the Jimmy Murray Statue Memorial Committee, outlined details of the exciting celebrations coming up in the village on Saturday, November 30th and Sunday, December 1st. Sculptor Mark Feeley was about to show me the finished product on his phone, but I declined, preferring to wait for the big unveiling!
It was lovely to hear that all Jimmy Murray’s playing colleagues in 1943 and ’44 (and the management) will also be referenced on the sculpture. It promises to be a great weekend and a fitting tribute to the great Jimmy Murray. Tonight’s press launch was a very enjoyable event; see report and photos on pages 20 & 21.
SATURDAY
Saying ‘wow’ in Creggs…
Tonight, I found myself emulating President Mary McAleese’s famous ‘wow’ – uttered some years ago when Queen Elizabeth addressed guests at Dublin Castle as Gaeilge.
Rightly or wrongly, I was less than impressed by Mary’s ‘wow’ at the time – if nothing else, I respectfully suggest it lacked a certain gravitas. But I digress.
Tonight, all I could say (initially) was ‘wow’… on seeing the stunning new gym at Creggs Rugby Club. My good friend Padraic Deane, former President of the club (and an inspirational one at that), had separated me from a creamy pint of Guinness after the launch of the club’s history book, taking me on a quick tour of the fabulous new facility. It is an extraordinarily impressive gym, and a huge tribute to the foresight, energy and spirit of volunteerism of all involved in this project. It was well worthy of my instinctive ‘wow’.
The actual book launch, attended by hundreds of guests, was a great success. Held in the beautiful new community room, the launch was performed by former Irish international star Eric Elwood. Familiar faces from the past mingled with today’s Creggs players.
There was a lovely celebratory atmosphere as a mammoth book – reflecting on the 50-year history of the club – was unveiled. The book is an amazing publication, the brilliant work of Pauline Scott (editor), supported by Sean Brandon and a committee led by Adrian Leddy. I highly recommend it. For more coverage of the launch, see page 47.
SATURDAY/SUNDAY
Local sport
Congratulations to Padraig Pearses and Elphin, both clubs having qualified for their respective provincial football finals.
It wasn’t to be for St Barry’s, with the Tarmonbarry-based club losing out in the Connacht JFC. But St Barry’s have had a memorable season, with a first county junior title win in 17 years. For Pearses and Elphin, the dream of provincial glory is alive and well.
MONDAY
Political musings
As we continue our election podcast series, and with this time of year being busy in the newspaper business, I haven’t been following the election campaign that closely (the odd glance at X/Twitter aside).
Willie O’Dea’s opportunist headline-seeking rant about Justice Minister Helen McEntee confirmed what I’ve been thinking of the bould Limerick man in recent years; that he’s merely a legend in his own timeline.
Earlier today, Seamus Duke and I agreed that the only way RTE could realistically accommodate ten party leaders in tonight’s TV debate was by having five on in the first half and the remaining five ‘after the ads’. But RTE thought otherwise: they put all ten on together, and just (mostly) ignored half of them! My riveting review of the show is on page 25.
