Pipers are honoured
THE TAYLOR BROTHERS OF DROGHEDA AND PHILADELPHIA ARE FAMED FOR THEIR PIPES AND ARE NOW REMEMBERED ON SHOP STREET. HUBERT MURPHY REPORTS
THEY may have long since departed Drogheda, and indeed, the modern world, but the Taylor brothers, the Uilleann Pipers of Drogheda and Philadelphia, returned home last week to a heroes welcome. From now on, they will look over Shop Street, thanks to the artist Ciaran Dunlevy, the Augustians and the traders of Shop Street.
They commissioned a special mural for the street and who better than the Taylor boys to use as an inspiration.
The pipers left for America in the 1800s and settled in Philadelphia.
The Taylors made magnificent and significant changes, adaptions and modifications to the Uileann pipes so that they could blend well with both violin and piano and pitched so that they would sound great in the American Concert Halls.
Last week, as part of the Fleadh, the mural and details of the brothers were revealed with Mayor Frank Godfrey stating that it was a special celebration for the street and the Augustinian community.
Ciaran Dunlevy said the project was a bit like the days of the Renaissance where the Church and the business community paid for artworks to be done.
Ciaran created an image of Shop Street from the 1880s and the piece itself weighs half a ton and it took four and a half hours to erect.
Local piper Darragh O Heiligh did the unveiling and he even played a few tunes, with others guests, to mark the occasion.
Seachtain Na Gaeilge proves a big hit
Seachtain na Gaeilge at Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann proved a great success with a wide range of activities for all age groups and all abilities: Irish classes, dancing classes, historical walking tours, lectures, song-writing workshop, fun for all the family, quiz, treasure hunt, Pop up Gaeltacht and music and song in Irish on the gig rig.
The Coiste Gaeilge na Fleidhe was very grateful to Foras na Gaeilge for their generous sponsorship of the programme of events.
Adèle Commins (right), Coiste Gaeilge na Fleidhe commented on the central role that the Irish language had at Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann in Drogheda this year, “The Seachtain na Gaeilge programme hah a varied list of activities for all ages to celebrate and promote the language at Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann.”
Uachtaráin an Chomhaltais, Vince Jordan, offered words of encouragement as a person who is himself an enthusiastic learner. Ard Stirúrthóir Labhrás Ó Murchú noted the importance of embracing our language.
Music was provided by young musicians Kerri Anne McCardle, Aine Scott, Fionnuala Kirby and Cara Pilbeam from Dundalk.
There was dancing from the Lolo Robinson School of Dance with music provided by Ciara Brannigan and Gráinne Casey.
Young Drogheda singer Orla Nic Dhiarmada gave a beautiful rendition of An Spailpín Fánach and Adèle sang with her husband Daithí Kearney.
Mayor proud of the effort around town
Fleadh Cheoil na h£ireann 2018 was a tremendous success, said a proud Mayor Frank Godfrey, who congratulated all involved!
‘ The Fleadh brought our local people and visitors together and it was great to see. There must have been a half a million people in the town over the week! I am so proud of Drogheda and its people and how we showcased ourselves over the week-long festival of music, song and dance,’ he said.
‘ To see the crowds in Bolton Square for the official opening on Sunday was amazing! It was the biggest attendance for any Fleadh opening, according to Comhaltas president Labhras Ó
Murchú who estimated that there were over 10,000 people there!’
Mayor Godfrey went on to congratulate all involved in the organisation and smooth running of the Fleadh. ‘Congrats to the Comhaltas at national and local level, especially to Lolo Robinson, to Louth Local Authorities and staff who pulled out all the stops, to the hundreds of volunteers who were invaluable during the week, to the business people who redecorated their premises and put out flowers and bunting, the householders who did up their homes, and to the Gardai who were magnificent in providing a presence on the streets during the Fleadh under the leadership of Superintendent Andrew Watters.’
Saying that the Fleadh was a great celebration for all ages, with many families attending, Mayor Godfrey said that the town must create a Fleadh legacy, building on this great celebration of Irish culture and tradition. ‘ The town needs an annual festival like this that will last.’
‘As Mayor of Drogheda, I am very proud of our historic town hosting the Fleadh. It was a memorable occasion and gave the town a great lift – I could see the happiness in people’s faces! There was a great sense of positivity and pride in our heritage. It’s the best thing that ever happened to Drogheda! Let’s build on the success of this year for 2019!’
ITWAS A MEMORABLE OCCASION ANDGAVE THE TOWN AGREAT LIFT–ICOULD SEE THE HAPPINESS IN PEOPLE’S FACES! THERE WAS AGREAT SENSE OF POSITIVITY AND PRIDE IN OUR HERITAGE. IT’S THE BEST THING THAT EVER HAPPENED TO DROGHEDA!