Pearse Park Super Eight!
FELLOW DROGHEDA MALE VOICE CHORISTER SEAMIE BRISCOE LOOKS AT THE SPECIAL ESTATE WHICH WAS HOME TO EIGHT OF ITS MEMBERS & THEIR OWN HISTORIES
SINCE the first brick was laid by Drogheda Corporation over 83 years ago, Pearse Park has been home to many happy families, prominent citizens and local characters. And now it can claim to have its own singing Octet, with eight of its residents – past and present - singing up a storm (when they can) in the Drogheda Male Voice Choir!
The “Pearse Park Super 8” - Jim Kavanagh, Mel Healy, Seamie Branigan, Teddy McConnon, Owen Rafferty, Sylvie Kierans, John Clarke and Peter Rafferty – all started out life in one of the familiar redbrick houses off the main Hardman’s Garden thoroughfare.
The town of Drogheda’s first major residential housing development on its northside , it was built in 1937. This was to see a development that comprised of many families taking up residence during times when the country was beginning to find its feet in the early years of the country’s independence.
Pearse Park comprised of 226 houses and the focal point centred on Loughran’s Shop at the heart of the estate which catered for the needs of the residents from groceries to putting a bet on a horse. Times were not easy and for many, life was tough but, there was great neighbourliness and a willingness to engage in the simplicities of life which involved pastimes that included sport of all kinds as well as singing and entertainment which involved dancing, drama, variety shows, Musicals and indeed music of every kind.
At one time Pearse Park was brought into contention by a judge in a court case when he referred to it as a “jungle” which raised a few eyebrows. One of those who took great umbrage to his remark was Mrs Loughran, of Loughran’s Shop, who vehemently condemned, publicly, the insulting remarks of Judge Kenny and defended Pearse Park and her neighbours and customers with great vigour.
Despite the infamous remark by Judge Kenny, Pearse Park produced some wonderful characters and families who acquitted themselves admirably in many facets of life which saw them achieve recognition in many spheres.
In the era of the 50’s which saw modern music seriously take off with ‘Rock ‘n Roll’, there were those from Pearse Park who chose the more tranquil and classical form of singing. The likes of the Rafferty and Brannigan Families, who produced excellent individual and choral singers who went on to entertain audiences for several generations.
Owen Rafferty and his brother, Peter, continue to sing with the Drogheda Male Voice Choir having started out their singing careers with St Peter’s Boy’s Church Choir.
Owen, or Ownie as he is affectionately known, is also one of Drogheda’s top tenors for 60 years and has many achievements for his singing as an individual and chorister. Owen spent over 50 years singing with the St Peters’ Boys and Senior Choirs.
Of course,he didn’t just confine his talents to singing; he was also a top class GAA Player with Newtown Blues GFC and holds a Louth Minor Championship medal.
However, his proudest moment is when he sang at the Papal Audience in St Peters Square with the Drogheda Male Voice and shook hands with Pope Francis. He also sang in front of half a million people in Kilineer in 1979 during the Pope’s visit to Ireland. In keeping with the family singing tradition, Owen’s son, Michael, is also a Bass fine singer and sings with the Drogheda Male Voice Choir with his father.
Teddy McConnon is another former Pearse Park resident who needs no introduction to the musical scene in Drogheda, having straddled every genre of music. A veteran of Stage Musicals, Pantomimes and Choral Singing with the St Peters Church & Mixed Choirs and the Drogheda Male Voice Choir. His musical wisdom and stage presence advice is invaluable to his peers in the Drogheda MVC.
Mel Healy is another who has emerged from Pearse Park to indulge himself in the choral tradition borne out of a love for classical music of which he continues to enjoy with regular visits to the National Concert Hall. Mel also holds the distinction of having won Tops of the Town in the Gaiety Theatre with the Harry Allen group. He is now a veteran chorister with the Drogheda Male Voice Choir. Mel also started out as a boy chorister with St Peters Boys Church Choir in 1950’s and he still sings with the St Peters Church Choir at Sunday Mass.
Seamie Brannigan is a member of a family who have immersed themselves in the fabric of the Drogheda musical entertainment business. There are many strings to Seamie’s bow (pardon the pun) having been an excellent exponent of Irish Dancing as well as one of the principal characters in leading Drogheda Musicals during their heyday. He has also performed with the Brannigan Brothers in numerous shows and concerts over the years. He is one of the most esteemed members of the Drogheda Male Voice Choir. His proudest moment came in recent times, when his grandson joined him in the tenor section of the choir.
Sylvie Kierans, not alone distinguished himself as one of Drogheda’s most prolific footballers, having played with Drogheda Utd and Glebe North FC but was also an excellent chorister and had an equally distinguished career for over 50 years as a chorister with St Peter’s Boys& Church Choirs and the Drogheda Male Voice Choir.
John Clarke also from Pearse Park took to the choral stage when he first joined the Augustin
ian Choir and also sang with the Tredagh Singers for many years and attained great success. He joined the Drogheda Male Voice Choir and continues to enjoy his love of choral singing and is oneof its foremost members.
The last Pearse Park native to join the choral chorus is Jim Kavanagh. For many years Jim Kavanagh fronted top Drogheda outfit, New Sound, and was regarded as one of the country’s finest vocalists. Jim decided to join the Drogheda Male Voice Choir and is enjoying his singing in the bass section of the choir.
The eight choristers from Pearse Park take great pride in their origins and among their fellow choristers are known as the “Pearse Park Super 8”.
Their choral singing exploits have taken them from their beginnings in Pearse Park to such auspicious places as the Royal Albert Hall and St Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican as well as mixed and male choir successes in competitions in Ireland and Wales.
And who knows where they may turn up next?
Perhaps an outdoor gig in Pearse Park when the lockdown ends!