SINGING PUBS:
THE PREMIERE of a new documentary film about Wexford’s Guinness Singing and Swinging Pubs competition had viewers captivated at the official launch of this year’s contest in ‘The Big Wash’ in Bugler Doyles in South Main Street.
‘I’ve never seen a room of people go so quiet. Everyone was fascinated’, said publican Johnny Gaynor, one of the committee members of the Singing Pubs which has been coordinated every year since 1996 by Diageo sales exectutive for the Wexford area Brian Cantwell who was unfortunately unable to attend the launch due to ill health.
The 30-minute film was produced by Michael Benson and Sharon Clancy of Ben Pics, on foot of a commission by the committee and contains video footage of performances from the past, mixed with personal interviews, shots of opening night fireworks displays and views of the town.
‘There’s old footage from years ago from the Shambles and the Phoenix and interviews with the likes of Padge Reck and Paddy Gore. It’s a beautiful piece of work and it presents a great view of the town. Everyone in Wexford will want a copy of it’, said Mr. Gaynor.
It is hoped that the film will be broadcast on TV 3 or TG4 and eventually produced as a DVD which could be sold for charity.
Sadly missing from the launch for the first time in many years was Wexfordman Joe McGuinness, a great fan of the Singing Pubs who has sound recorded every show for more than 40 years, creating an exceptional archive.
This is the first year that Joe will not be out and about with his tape recorder as he is in poor health.
Diageo invited the singer songwriter Paddy Casey along to entertain everyon who turned up at the launch of the 66th annual competition which is a popular night out for participating publicans.
The competition will run from October 20 to November 2 and shows in the 26 pubs participating pubs will be adjudicated this year by the Waterford based singer and actor Ray Collins who famously judged entries by video link from hospital a few years ago after he became ill in the middle of the contest.
A total of 80 prizes will be awarded in four categories - Singing, Swinging, Variety and Traditional Style and the results will be posted on a TV screen in the window of Macken’s pub in the Bullring after midnight on the last night following the final Talbot Hotel performance. The results will also be read out on South East Radio.
The competition which is a year younger than the Opera Festival itself, is one of the highlights of the fringe programme, attracting packed audiences every night. Guinness, now owned by Diageo Ireland, has been involved as the major sponsor since the start.
Last year, the Talbot Hotel won the Singing section, Culleton’s Bar won the Swinging category, The Porter House in Castlebridge won the Variety section and The Lock and Quay took the overall Traditional Style trophy.