Everything June Fletcher wrote in her concert review is an accurate account. I can hardly add anything about the performances, except to say that hearing "Boolavogue" in the church in Boolavogue was stunning. The extra verse was very appropriate in an Irish setting. Anthony said it was deleted in the original RTE taping due to the length it would have made the song, but definitely had to be sung in Ireland.*
Unfortunately we didn't know who June and her husband were, so weren't introduced to them. Now that I've seen June's photos, I know who they are. Her husband has a sense of humor, as he had a humorous moment with Betty Kearns in front of the alter after the performance.
|
The one thing I can add is that Anthony’s performance of Boolavogue ten years ago, 1998, he was singing Boolavogue on a ditch. It was at a dedication of a memorial to the rebellion, and it was evidently placed on a ditch. Then they moved to another area, and another dedication of a memorial and Anthony sang again.
|
|
I arrived in Ireland with a horrible cold, only to find my new camera's battery needed charging, and I had brought the wrong adapter/charger with me. Consequently I couldn't take any pictures, which was a real disappointment.
I learned a few things before and after the concert in Boolavogue which I’d like to share. The information refers to the history of the area in the 1798 Rebellion, and the renovation of St Cormac’s.
When we arrived at the church and paid for our reserved tickets, we were led to the front row on the left side of the main aisle with a Reserved sign on the kneeler rail in front of the pew. We assured them that wasn't for us, but they insisted it was for the Americans. Then we were approached by a handsome priest, Fr Byrne. He asked which of us was the American from Colorado he had spoken with. I had to admit it was me. He then proceeded to tell us about the significance of the church and Boolavogue in the 1798 Rebellion, and about the renovation project at the church for which Anthony was singing.
In 1798, Fr Murphy's church in Boolavogue was thatched, and the British put a burning torch to the roof and burned it down.
|
When the parishioners built a new church, they built it with a very tall sloped roof in a sharp V at the top down the length of the church. Then they built a second ceiling inside, a lovely small arch on the sides with a rather flat ceiling very high up in the building. It was so that this church would never be burned again.
|
Kilcormack translates to Kil – Church, therefore Church of Cormack, which was Fr. Murphy's original church. This church was built nearby the original structure that was burned. There is a high cross in the cemetery to honor Fr. Murphy and the rebels who died in the rebellion. Fr. Murphy's body is actually located elsewhere.
We learned from Fr Byrne, who has been pastor there only three years, that there is new carpet in the church, and the walls and ceiling are freshly painted. Some ladies of the parish asked if they could revive the Stations of the Cross by painting the backgrounds, and they are lovely and vivid. The new pews were installed just the week before the concert. At Mass the Sunday before, Fr Byrne mentioned the new pews were to arrive on Tuesday, and the old pews needed to be removed and the new ones installed. All day long on Tuesday, parishioners stopped by to help and the old pews were removed in one day. The new ones were in place by concert time.
We noted the beautiful floral displays on the alter, side alters, and in the entrance. They were lovely whites, lilies and carnations I remember, and the smell was divine. They were all donated by one family.
After the performance Fr Byrne invited our small American group to tea at the Rectory. Of course we went and I was able to ask a few questions about the history and area. Of the verses Anthony does sing in Boolavogue, the only name I hadn't encountered on my two visits to the area was Shelmalier. So I asked where that was located.
|
It had been a barony, East and West Shelmalier to be exact, but evidentially no longer relevant to today's maps or sign markings. This information came from Fr Byrne and Bishop Dennis. The Harrow (AnBraca)is just down the road a bit from Boolavogue, and well marked with a sign.
|
|
The tea was very nice. There were finger sandwiches, sweets and tea in three rooms of the Rectory. We had the opportunity to speak with the local people and it was lovely. Anthony's mom was there as well, of course. Before the tea ended, Anthony and Patrick arrived, and posed for a photo with us before we all left. It was lovely to leave the area knowing the closeness and cooperation of the people of St. Cormac's parish.
* BOOLAVOGE LYRICS The third verse is the one included in this concert
Boolavogue photo page on this website
The Story of Boolavogue from the history section of this website.