‘Tell the Super Furry Animals to pipe down, we’re having our tea’
GREAT music has seeped into the walls of the Begley family home in Dingle.
After all, how many families can tuck into their dinner while there are live performances in the kitchen from Super Furry Animals, Elbow, Steve Wall, David Gray, Wild Beasts, The xx, The National and Ellie Goulding?
The home of Dolores and Diarmuid Begley in Ashmount, Dingle, has hosted world-famous musicians o play and record during the Other Voices festival.
As the crowds make their way along the music trail in the west Kerry town this weekend and cram into pubs like Foxy John’s, Kennedy’s and McCarthy’s to enjoy live streaming of performances in St James’s Church, the Begley’s home is again a refuge.
Other Voices creator Philip King first asked the couple, who own a taxi firm, for the use of their house in 2003.
Their sons, Ryan and Cathal, have grown up with Other Voices and are relaxed about famous musicians hanging around. “We were already involved in the transportation end of things with the taxis,” said Dolores. “The first year, Steve Wall (of The Walls) came to the house and was being filmed in Ryan’s bedroom.
“I suppose I was taken by surprise when the crew arrived in that first day. I was in the middle of the ironing and all I could think was there was my laundry on the chair. I was mortified. We never know who we’re getting in advance. It’s all hush-hush. But they’ve all been lovely. I leave them to it and the house is always left exactly as they found it,” she adds.
Diarmuid collected Amy Winehouse in his taxi when she came to Dingle in 2006.
“When he saw the size of her coming out of the airport he asked, ‘Is there an adult with you?’ Sure he didn’t have a clue who she was,” Dolores added.
The 16th instalment of Eir Other Voices continues in Dingle tonight and will be broadcast next year on RTE 2.