Brian McManus and ‘Ku Matuka’

organised an event titled

‘Music at the Gate’ at St Laurence’s Gate.

Darragh says the aim of the event was to start a discussion within the community around the potential uses of the gate now that it has been closed to traffic. Darragh’s hope is that this becomes a centre piece for the community in Drogheda where local music and art can be celebrated.

With just two days planning, over 20 musicians entertained a crowd of hundreds during the three hour event. Musicians came from Drogheda, Dundalk, Dublin, Monaghan and Carlow.

It’s great to say that another ‘gig’ is planned for October 7th and local musicians are encouraged to participate.

I can feel the Fleadh fever already. ANYBODY remember ‘Ku Matuka’ - an African art shop in the Grafton Arcade in Dublin.

Drogheda-born, and then 26-year-old Brian McManus, a former officer in the Zambia Police, couldn’t get Africa out of his blood after he returned home.

As a Lieutenant in the Cavalry Corps, he saw service in the Congo. But Brian retired from military service at the age of 23 to join the Zambian police force and train a para-military battalion. He reached the rank of superintendent.

In Zambia he began taking an interest in African culture and nearly 50 years ago, the moustached, pipe-smoking Louthman opened an African art centre in the Grafton Arcade, Dublin called “Ku Matuka” (a market).

Brian stocked it with wood and ivory carvings, paintings by Joseph Magambo, Masai beadwork from Kenya, Makonde art from Tanzania, saris, spears and items made from basket, animal skins and malachite.

Is it still open?