Folk Reunited
Hi, My name is Maria Wright, and I used to lead some of the folk groups in the Parish. When the plans were announced for the forthcoming 40th anniversary celebrations, I began reflecting on all the good times and the lovely music we used to play at Mass. I thought about maybe doing a ‘reunion’ as our way of contributing to the celebrations and so I contacted some of my very good friends, who have all been involved in folk groups over the years. I was delighted that so many of them wanted to be involved and so I spoke to Fr. Martin about the idea and he suggested that we sing at one of the nights of the Mission. I wanted to let you know that we are going to be playing at the Mission Mass on Tuesday 8th November 2011 and hope that you will come along to hear some of the lovely old folk hymns of the past.
By way of background, like many others, I came to Moyraverty Parish in the spring of 1971. My classroom was in the temporary Church, which we affectionately called “The Hut”. Then, Mass transferred from “the Hut” to “the Hall”, and shortly afterwards, the first folk group of the Parish was set up by Fr Gerry Powell. I am so pleased to have four of the original members of that group (Pat, Brendan, Paddy & Adrian) taking part in this reunion.
There have been many great folk groups and choirs over the years in the parish and I know that all of us feel incredibly blessed to have been a small part of such a legacy in this great and vibrant parish. Over the years, our folk group has played during the good and the not so good times; at the funerals for parishioners, friends & family, choir members and of course in the aftermath of the Bomb, when we were once again back playing in “the Hall”. Thankfully, there were very special and joyous times, such as being asked by Fr Tony Corr to play at his First Mass, the honour of playing at Fr Niall Sheehan’s Ordination (a first for the Parish and for us), and my personal favourite, Dermot McCann’s rendition of “O Holy Night” which had the congregation spellbound, one very special Christmas Eve, many years ago.
The group that has come together to sing at the Mission Mass, is a mixture of folk groups that I led, has actually never sang together before, and includes three sets of families! We have had a lot of fun doing this and really hope that by sharing some of the music we played for you over the last 40 years, it will inspire the next generation to continue to support the newly revised Liturgy with inspirational music
In no particular order……...those taking part in the Folk Group Reunion 2011 are:
Pat Murphy, Brendan Prunty, Louise Coleman, Danny McGlade, Kate Mulholland, Peter McCann, Paula McKeown, Desi McGrann, Maureen Devlin, Aidan Thornbury, Donna McGlade, Caroline Heaney, Monica McShane, Vincent Devlin
Adrian McParland (harp/bazouki/mandolin)
Paddy Prunty (tin whistle)
Chris Heaney (guitar)
Maria Wright (guitar)
Finally, and inevitably, there are friends from the folk groups I personally was involved in who are no longer with us. We all remember with much love and affection, wee Roisin Stewart, our fabulous tin whistle player Charlie Lavery, the adorable Pat Burns and our beloved Mary McKenna and Pauline McMorrow.
May they whistle, sing, and rest in peace.