The Kerryman (South Kerry Edition)
‘A visionary who should be honoured’
FORMER STUDENT REVEALS POSITIVE INFLUENCE FR PAT AHERN HAD ON HIM
IT was with a great sense of elation that I read Fr Pat Ahern had been awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Law at UCC. It was mentioned as his major achievement that he was the founder of Siamsa Tir, the National Folk Theatre of Ireland.
My mind, however, wandered back to the 1950s when a pupil in short pants in Edward Street Christian Brothers’ School awaited the arrival of a music teacher who was to choose suitable candidates for the local boys choir. Our diligent class teacher sorted through our large class number to alleviate the stress of our overburdened visitor. I was not chosen!
When the V.I.P. arrived we found to our surprise a young vibrant white collared curate facing us. In a class of over 40 pupils he could have taken the easy route and chosen from the pre nominated group. That is not the way of a perfectionist. He methodically sorted through the whole class and his final choices differed from the original grouping.
This time I was in! Thus began a most treasured and enriching episode in the lives of a most fortunate group of younger boys as a force of nature cajoled encouraged and moulded a motley group of misfits into a top quality singing unit.
We became St Johns Gregorian Choir and a whole near vista was opened in our lives.
The methods Fr Pat used to foster our development – little compositions, musical phrases with the best efforts receiving a little prize – enabled us to use the musical theory which was a part of each singing practice. We were split into smaller groups for practice.
Tralee town as they grew up and some achieved higher accolades on the national scene.
The efforts of one man enriched the fabric of the local community so beneficially. His dedication can be gauged in many ways. When the boys choir had departed home in the evening, we didn’t realise that he still faced the gargantuan task of a repeat performance with the senior section of the choir later that night.
When performing during church service the enormity of the momentous achievement of a visionary was firmly grasped and valued by an appreciative congregation.
The church was never but overflowing.
I could waffle on. Tralee experienced the innovative treatment under Fr. Pat’s tutelage.
All of his achievements can be read up on the internet so I’ll not dwell on the same.
I have to skip on fifty years. On this occasion the now much aged arthritic brigade was invited back to Siamsa Tire to celebrate the half century. As ever this could not be treated in a slipshod manner.
Those of us who could, travelled on many occasions to revive some of the old pieces which we were to sing with the present choir. The turnout was outstanding and the nigt a wonderful success.
As I watched Fr Pat chat with individuals and groups during the night, how fortunate we had all been to have come within the orbit of such a visionary was brought home to me.
So when I read the column in the paper about his conferring I felt well merited, well deserved.
I just wondered why so long the delay. I wondered about his home county.
Now that so much development land has been made available to the council and major changes will be made and new projects will come to the fore, is there an inspired public representative who will look about and consider how to honour local heroes and those who have dedicated their lives to the betterment and enrichment of the cultural fabric of the town?
Too often we fail to appreciate the obvious and are blinded by bling.
A Pháid Míle Buíochas Uainn, O Drhuine den slua!