GREAT MUSIC AND CRAIC IN TRIBUTE TO MISSED GENE
After his untimely death a couple of months ago, family and friends of the late Gene (Gino) Berrill from Oaklawns, one of the best drummers this town has ever known, all came together for a night in the Spirit Store to honour him, reform many of the bands he drove on from his kit and basically share memories and stories of a man, I had the pleasure to call a friend, whom was never far away from a smile and a bit of craic.
I was only in the door when I met up with Ellie-Rose Toner from St. Clements Park who was there her mum Sharon Watters and dad Derek Turner who were delighted with the turn out and assured me it was going to be a fantastic night for sure.
Next I caught up with Gino’s wife Marie Berrill from Oaklawns who was with her daughter Roseanne, son Colin and daughter-in-law Rebekah, sister-in-law Sue Smith and Lily Smith from London. Marie said they were completely blown away by the wonderful response from everyone, wanted to thank everyone for coming along on the night and also to the musicians for taking part.
After this I met up with Jack McAuley from Bay Estate who had played with Gino for a number of years who said it was true testament of the man that so many bands wanted to play and everyone who wanted to be there and was looking forward to an exceptional night.
I then headed over for a chat with Peter Neary from Lower Point Road and Colm Keating from Dowdallshill who said he’d been to school with Gino ad he was a helluva nice guy.
Not too far away I then caught up with Vivienne and Paul McCullins from Lisdoo Road who were in the company of Joan and Peter Breen from Blackrock who had got to know Gino from his original Long Riders days and were delighted to be there on the night.
After this I got talking to my friend Irene Myles from Muirhevnamor whom I hadn’t seen in ages and was looking really well as usual, she was with Kitty Duffy from Blackrock and Angie McNally from Meadow Grove who were also Long Riders fans too and were looking forward to a musically emotional night with everyone there.
Not too long later I caught up with Norman and Frances Halliday from Newry who told me that Norman is a drummer too and had become friends with Gino down the years and was looking forward to the music.
After this I caught up with Jamie McMahon from Farndreg who was there with his mum Una Nordon who is a friend of Marie’s and was with sister-in-law Sue Smith from London and daughter Lily and Marie’s brother Bill Johnston from Muirhevnamor and his daughter Patricia McCaffrey who were in great form and getting into the swing of things.
Not too long later I caught up with Malgoriata Czapska and Emil Jakubas from Carlingford who were up for making the best of the night and were enjoying it so far.
Next I got a word with Eamon and Mary Mathews from Avondale Park who have been friends of Gino’s for years and ‘just had to come’ on the night.
After this I got talking to Mary Mullen from Castletowncross and Pauline McCrave from Riverside Crescent who were there to support the night and said that Gino’s mate Paddy Mac was responsible for them being there.
I then ventured over for a chat with Hayley Corrway from Fatima Drive who was with her dad and ace guitarist Tubby Corrway and Daniel Connolly from Castleblaney. Hayley sad her dad had played with Gino for years and it was an honour for them all to be there participating in the night.
After this I met up with Anthony Mathews from Newry Road who also felt it wouldn’t have been right unless he had been there.
I then got a word with Dundalk’s number one music fan for the last 40 years and more, yes my old friend Mags Tuite from Ashbrook who was enjoying the company of Louigi Cioci from Chapel Street assured me it was going to be an epic night.
Making my way through the crowds I met up with Delores Waller from Sliabh Foy Park, Alice Stewart from Grange Drive, Marie Stewart from Bay Estate, Anna Stewart from Drive 1, Deborah Donnelly from Drive 2 who told me that Gene had been performing at plenty of gigs they had been at he was always a great laugh, so they wanted to be there specially to be part of the night.
Finally, before I departed I met up with guitar legend Bobby Robertson who told me that Gino was a great guy, an excellent drummer and is sadly missed, in fact he said that Gino would have really enjoyed the night.