CHILDREN HAD STARSIN THEIREYES
Muirne Lawlor reminisces on the big night with Francis Carroll
The children literally had stars in their eyes. We realised what it was like to be celebrities.’
Muirne Lawlor, St Joseph’s NS, has recalled how pupils from the school performed for the president, rubbed shoulders with the other entertainers and met the great man and his family.
She also recounted the quick lead-in to the boys and girls singing ‘Danny Boy’ on stage with Brian Kennedy.
‘I was teaching a class when Gerry Murphy, who was principal at the time, interrupted to ask if we would be interested in singing with Brian Kennedy for President Clinton.
‘I said ‘sure’. We were thrilled to be singing with Brian Kennedy, a real treat. Then, suddenly, it sank in.’
Mrs Lawlor was the choir director, and her first task was deciding who to choose to represent the Muirhevnamór school.
‘It was a whirlwind, such short notice. I had to pick 10 children which was very difficult.
‘‘Danny Boy’ is not at all easy to sing and isn’t something you would pick for children.’
Nevertheless, they got cracking ahead of a rehearsal at Market Square the day before.
‘It was a very cold night, and Brian Kennedy was so nice, a real gentleman.’
The young performers were very excited as they mingled with the security detail in the advance party, or ‘ men in black suits talking into their sleeves’.
Onto the big day, and Mrs Lawlor and her charges were in the secure area from 1pm until the president’s arrival some seven hours later.
‘It was a long time to keep children amused, but they were so good, and we were with the other entertainers who were so nice – Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh from Altan, Dónal Lunny and our own Liam Reilly, who we already knew having worked with him before.’
The St Joseph’s group had a bird’s eye view of everything, though when it was their turn to take to the stage, Mrs Lawlor had to stay behind and as it turned out could not see the pupils or hear them very well.
‘It was so exciting. The children literally had stars in their eyes.’
They kept asking would they be able to meet the president, and duly got their wish.
‘We were lined up and President Clinton stood beside me. My knees went weak. He had incredible charisma just oozing from him.’
The president complimented the children on their singing, noting that they sang ‘Danny Boy’ in the same key he played it on his saxophone.
‘All the while, cameras were flashing and we realised what it was like to be a celebrity,’ Mrs Lawlor continued.
Then Hilary and Chelsea Clinton came over to them.
‘ They were very nice, but you could tell they were tired, but not Bill.’
The St Joseph’s teacher also remembered looking out on a sea of people all the way down Clanbrassil Street, and a huge full moon behind the president as he spoke.
‘It was very emotional.’
Mrs Lawlor added the children were on a high for a week, and the school had to have a debrief with them the next day.
As one of the St Joseph’s singers, Darren Doogan said at the time, ‘It was a wicked buzz’.
Darren was joined on the stage by Adam Coburn, Áine Gorham, Louise Maguire, Eimear Martin, Kaylee Doyle, Fionnuala Connolly, Declan McMahon, Emmanuella Salako and Christoper Menary.