Rural Tipperary at its very best - community raises funds for local national school

Two cheques, totaling €14,237 were handed over to the Board of Management of Ballylooby National School recently, Chairman of the Board of Management Peter Mackin and Kieran Scanlon, Principal of the School accepted the cheques from Micheál Anglim and members of the 30 strong group who put together the two wonderful nights entertainment “Music Song & Craic.”

A sum of €13,150was raised by the cast and the two sold out concerts in Duhill with Micheál Kenneally donating €1,177, representing dormant funds from the local tug of war group which kindly agreed to donate to the cause.

Huge thanks to Micheál and all involved for their generosity
The show was the brian child of Micheál Anglim to help raise funds for the development of the fields recently purchased by Ballylooby National School. They say if you want something done ask a busy person well Micheál asked 25 very busy people and without hesitation they jumped on board. Added to that the seven wonderful musicians from 5th and 6th Class in the school who embraced the fundraiser with gusto. They opened the show on both nights with beautiful renditions of Galtee Mountain Boy, Slievenamon, Oró sea do bheatha ’bhaile, and the hugely popular Star of the County Down showing off their talents on Flutes, tin whistle’s, accordian’s and concertina.

All genres of music were represented from Pasty Cline’s Crazy to Whiskey in the Jar, The Rattling Bog, Sweet Caroline, The Butcher Boy and many many more.

The Duhill quarter made up of Liz Brennock, Declan Slatter, Elaine O’Donnell and Brendan Keating brought the house down with their unique version of ABBA’s famous hit Mamma Mia.

Mr Music Man himself Brendan McCarthy not only performed the beautiful Wolfe Tones number “Goodbye Mick” but accompanied most of the singers also.During rehearsals his availability to everyone to help them with their choice of song gave huge confidence to those performing and enhanced our show no end. Poetry is very dear to the heart of people in rural Ireland and Josie Myles entertained the crowd with in her own inimitable style and her very original verses. Liam Hunter entertained the crowd with his beautiful dulcit tones and sweet guitar playing with My love is like a red red rose and Misty Foggy Dew. Ballet was seen on the stage in Duhill for the first time with the magnificent sister act of Martina Slattery and Theresa O’Donoghue.

Any Irish singathon wouldn’t be worth its salt if we didn’t have a song about our great Irish mammies and daddies, Brendan Landy paid tribute to all the daddies with the lovely “My ould man” and Kathleen Moloney honoured all the mammies with “A mother's love is a blessing” surround by the children and then the entire ensemble. The show closed with a ‘special’ rendition of Country Roads and everyone’s favourite The Wild Rover.
This show was very unique in our community, all performers gave of their time with great generosity and this was reciprocated by the fantastic audiences on both nights and their superb generosity towards the raffle. Huge huge thanks to the many many people who donated prizes.

It was also unique and special for a second reason, the fundraiser was for the primary school and the girls Emma, Liah, Megan, Rebecca, Anka, Katie and Abbie performed a song just before the interval, specially written for the occasion by Liz Brennock to the tune of School around the corner accompanied by Liz herself and Elaine O’Donnell with Mr Music Man himself on guitar.

A very special mention must go to Fidelma Nugent, Tom Murphy, Linda Gardiner and Eddie Goldin whose musical talent were hugely helpful in providing a wonderful show, and also Liam Hunter and Brendan McCarthy who not only performed but accompanied as well. Seamus Hennessy for his sound system and his help and advice it is very much appreciated and Will Nugent on lighting and sound. Without all these people the show would not have gone on.

Thanks to anyone who helped in anyway and not forgetting our talented MC Pat O’Donnell.

Huge thanks must go to all the performers: Fiona Myles, Johnny English, Brid Wilkinson Tom Meehan, Brendan Landy Brendan Coffey, Ger Maher, Josie Myles, Claire Morrissey, Brendan McCarthy, Brendan Keating, Liz Brennock, Declan Slattery, Elaine O’Donnell, Kevin Ryan, Aishling and Caoimhe Ryan, Liam Hunter, Paddy Lonergan Martina Slattery , Teresa O'Donoghue, Pat O’Donnell, Brendan McCarthy, Liah, Emma, Abbie, Anka, Rebecca, Katie and Megan.