THURSDAY/FRIDAY
Bertie and Don…
The 16th annual Percy French Festival, which ran from Wednesday through to Friday, was a great success. I had the honour of being Master of Ceremonies for the three days.
The keynote speech of the festival – held in the beautiful and historic grounds of Castlecoote House – was delivered on Thursday by former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern. He drew the biggest crowd of the three days.
Mr Ahern received a very warm reception when he arrived in Castlecoote shortly after 11 am. His address, on the topic ‘Towards a vision for a New Ireland in the current landscape’ was a timely insight into how one of the key architects of the Good Friday Agreement views the peace process, and the move towards possible reunification of Ireland, at this point in time.
Later on Thursday, brilliant blues musician and singer-songwriter Don Baker entertained the audience with a wonderful, intimate hour-long concert.
The festival concluded on Friday afternoon, bringing the curtain down on three days of social, cultural and political debate. Wednesday’s proceedings had been a major celebration of the work and legacy of the great Percy French himself. (See also page 27).
SATURDAY
Dear Old Elphin…
Noel Collins’ book launch in Elphin tonight – where else? – was a very enjoyable occasion. Well-known community figure Noel has realised his ambition of writing a book on growing up in Elphin, with the publication of ‘Dear Old Elphin: A Journey in Time’.
The book, produced by the Roscommon People, is a very enjoyable and informative read and a most welcome addition to the volume of local publications in our county.
Tonight’s launch attracted a very big crowd to the excellent venue, An Bothar Rua. (Politicians were out in force, some no doubt relieved that one polling day recently came and went, one or two others probably trying to second-guess Taoiseach Simon Harris these days, amidst speculation that the next General Election could come as early as this October or November).
This was a lovely community gathering, as Noel & Helen Collins and family were joined by neighbours and friends to celebrate the launch of a book that contains some great stories and reflections (and photos) covering different aspects of life in Elphin over the decades. See our coverage of the launch elsewhere in this edition.
SUNDAY
In search of Stewart
After that epic hurling final (see Sports Desk on page 52), I sought out some comedy on TV, a final ‘wind down’ before the start of a new week.
For years, I’ve been hearing how brilliant English comedian Stewart Lee is, but despite my being a major fan of comedy and comedians, I have never seen him perform (on TV, much less in person).
Now, having recorded his new TV special – ‘Basic Lee’, which aired on Sky Comedy on Saturday night – I’ve finally had my first proper look at the man described by the Times of London as “the world’s greatest living stand-up comedian”.
He’s certainly original and clever. At times, I thought ‘Basic Lee’ was dying on its feet, but that was my mistake; this is intelligent, deliberately deadpan comedy, repetition used by Lee to tease but ultimately delight us. He won me over (for now at least), such was the originality of his stand-up.
It remains to be seen if, to paraphrase Rick Blaine (played by Bogart) at the end of Casablanca (speaking to Louis, played by Claude Rains), this could be the ‘beginning of a beautiful friendship’. Most likely it is. I’ll report back.
MONDAY
The late Michael Morris
Michael Morris had that special gift that only some people possess… that of being able to sprinkle positivity and laughter when he met people, so much so that even a brief chance encounter with him invariably put you in better humour and added greatly to your day.
Michael loved music, people and life itself, and his warm personality, affability and that love of people was beautifully captured in a moving reflection delivered by one of his daughters at the funeral today.
Widely known in Roscommon Town and further afield, he worked as a painter, and was also an artist in a cultural sense, having played music (and taught guitar) for so much of his life. Indeed his range of interests was many and varied.
Meeting him was always a pleasure, Michael ready with an immediate smile, a funny quip or story. There was always time for a chat, and Michael effortlessly lifted people’s spirits.
When I’d run into him on some street in Roscommon he’d always say “Paul, I played music for your Dad in the Kon Tiki in Rooskey in the early 1970s”. I’d respond “I hope you got paid” (he did), and we’d reminisce for a while.
The huge turnout at the funeral proceedings over the weekend and the breadth of stories told about Michael was evidence of his popularity and of the legacy he leaves.
Michael, who died on Thursday, 18th of July last, was a talented musician and a gentleman. His untimely death following a relatively short illness has saddened the entire community. His great smile, friendly personality and joie de vivre will long be remembered.
Sincere sympathies to his wife Patricia, daughters Máire, Orna and Aisling, sisters Mary and Bríd, brothers Jerome and Noel and extended family. Michael will be greatly missed. May he rest in peace.
TUESDAY
Trump v Harris
As expected, US President Joe Biden has withdrawn from this November’s election, opening the door for a Kamala Harris run and giving the front-runner, Donald Trump, something to think about. Biden’s announcement came on Sunday.
Mind you, I’ve just watched footage of Trump playing a round of golf with Bryson Dechambeau, so I guess the Republican candidate is probably ‘cool’ with recent developments and still confident that he has the momentum just now in this extraordinary race for the White House.
Be that as it may, one suspects that the Democrats have a better chance of retaining the presidency with Harris as their candidate than they had with the ailing Biden.
