I don’t like hearing noises from outside or from other parts of the house while I’m writing. It gets in the way of my concentration.
I usually have one of these playing on my laptop. Loud enough to block out unwanted noise but quiet enough not to disturb me.
Sometimes, I play songs to suit the setting of a scene or chapter I’m writing, to help me with inspiration. The problem with songs is that I often get distracted by the lyrics and end up singing along instead of writing.
When I was writing Secrets in the Babby House, I played a lot of Irish ballads. The song, Red is The Rose, is of huge significance in the story, so I played it a lot.
There’s nothing like songs and music to transport the mind to a different place or era.
Thank you for reading today!
Would you like a peek inside the pages of Secrets in the Babby House? You never know, it might just be your cup of tea!
Set in a gossipy small town in Ireland at a time when marriage is for keeps and sexuality is repressed,Secrets in the Babby House is a family saga over three decades that starts in 1956. It isa story of love, deception, and stolen diaries filled with sins and secrets.
In November 1977 the Bailieborough Youth Band was formed. All the young aspiring musicians of Bailieborough turned up at the community centre to join the band. Bridie Farrelly and Mary Clarke were on the band committee and Joey Larkin was the chairperson.
They needed drummers, accordion players and tin whistle players—or flageolet as the band master, John Farnan, called it. Oh…and cymbal players! Was there a triangle too?
We bought our chosen instruments and lessons began immediately. I started with the tin whistle and then moved on to the accordion. John Farnan was a strict but excellent music teacher. He took no messing. You were there to learn music or you stayed at home. He was very dedicated to the marching bands community.
The leader of the band was our majorette. As far as I remember, Loretta Rogers was the first Majorette. Marcella Brady took on the role for a few years in the 80’s. I’m pretty sure Bridgette Murray did it for a while too.
Did I dream this part?The FCA came in to teach us how to march. Did that happen? Left…right! Left, right, left! And they showed us how to do that wee quick skip if you fell out of step with the rest of the band. Left…right! Left, left, right!
Within seven months of learning our new instruments we were ready to shine. Our debut public appearance took place at the opening of the Bailieborough festival in June 1978.
We were in our element in our crisp white shirts, dark blue skirts, and trousers for the boys. We had dickie bows too, and a sash and a beret to complete our uniform.
The roll of the drums and the cue from our majorette as she began to twirl her staff, started us on our first live march. Off we went through the streets of Bailieborough playing the likes of Roddy McCorley and The West’s Awake—feeling quite nervous. Proud mammies and daddies cheered us on from the crowd.
I’d be doing well to remember all the tunes we played on our first outing. But others I remember learning during my years in the band are; Colonel Bogey, Maggie, The Minstrel Boy, Spancil Hill, O’Donnell Abu, and our good ole Amhrán na bhFiann.
The most exciting part of being in the band was the many trips to festivals and competitions. We’d travel on a bus and eat loads of sweets. God help the bus driver’s ears, as we all practiced a different tune on the way there.
We played in hot sun, rain and sometimes snow but won prizes for different categories; best dressed, best musical performance and best marching techniques. And we had a lot of fun along the way.
The photo is old and blurry but I can make out a few people starting from the back row, although I may have one or two wrong; Niall Keegan, Rosena Brady, maybe one or two of the Carolans, I think the majorette was Loretta Rogers, Jim Brady, Bridget Murray, Clare Connolly.
Second row; I can only make out a few girls in the center – Sheila Brady, Katriona Larkin, Elizabeth Sheridan, Sharon Connell, Pauline Reilly, Eileen Reilly, Ann Donohoe, Eileen Farrell.
Third row; Martin Smith, and that’s about all I can pick out from that row! I see they’re wearing jackets. I don’t remember us having jackets as part of the uniform.
Front row; I can’t make out too many here either. Is it Lynda Rogers behind the bass drum? That’s me in the front row fifth from the right. I think Linda McCluskey is there too, and Sandra Coleman. I know lots more who were in the band, but I just can’t pick them out in this photo.
The marching bands were the heart and soul of the parades! They’re most definitely not gone but they’re not as plentiful as they once were.
Now, all this makes me want to go out and buy an accordion!
We grew up listening to Charlie Pride records. I could sing The Crystal Chandeliers long before I knew what a chandelier was.
Charlie was my mam’s idol. She loved him. Not just his singing—everything about him. He was gorgeous!
So, as you can imagine, one of the most exciting and memorable times of her life is the day she shook hands with Charlie Pride!
She was first in queue at the Oasis to hear him sing. She stood for hours. It was worth the wait because she got a front seat close to the stage. She knew the words of every song and sang along with Charlie the whole night!
Charlie Pride in The Oasis, Carrickmacross – Early 90’sVeronica and Charlie
Charlie Pride; born 18 March 1934; died 12 December 2020
No drawing from Lucy! She’s too busy with her best friend today. She’ll be back tomorrow!
This is my collection of 80’s singles. There’s 51 here, and I had lots more. I have a collection of LPs too but they haven’t made the journey from Cavan to Mayo yet.
Some are a wee bit scratched
If you’re a relatively young person reading this and you’re wondering what an LP is. It’s a long playing vinyl record. A single has a song on each side, and an LP is an album with a few songs on each side. It plays longer. On one of these; a record player. I think these days they’re called a turntable.
THIS OLE HOUSE – Shakin Stevens
When a new single was released, we went into Colemans stationery shop to order it. If it was number one in the charts, they’d usually have some in stock. Or if you knew someone who was going to Cavan town, you’d ask them to get your record in the music shop.
I’ve had a look through my collection of vinyl singles. Some great memories, and I still love every song—on the A side.
I think the very first record I bought was TO BE OR NOT TO BE by B.A. Robertson released in May 1980. I was only twelve and just on the road to discovering pop music. Before this, all I knew was Charlie Pride and Philomena Begley. Thanks Mam.
This is my favourite record…only because it’s green.
BEING WITH YOU by Smokey Robinson
Here’s my top ten favourites from my collection. I’ve added a YouTube link in case you fancy a trip back to the 1980s disco halls.
RED RED WINE by UB40. I didn’t know until just now that Red Red Wine was written and first recorded by Neil Diamond in 1967. UB40 covered it in 1983. And I have to say, I love Bob Marley’s version. ‘Red red wine you make me feel so fine.’
I’VE NEVER BEEN TO ME by Charlene. It was originally released in 1977 but it wasn’t a hit, until in 1982 it was re-released and stayed at number one in the charts for six consecutive weeks. Class song. Listen to the lyrics!
Who remembers JE T’AIME…MOI NON PLUS By Serge Gainsbourg & Jane Birkin. 1969. Yes, I was a baby but it was a still a hit in the 80’s. Can’t think why! Ahem. My mother didn’t like it and I had to play it on low volume. And if I were to play it now, it would be on low volume too, in case Little Miss Ten heard it! There’d be questions.
I know I said top ten, but I have to mention JEALOUS GUY by Roxy Music. The song was written by John Lennon in 1968, and recorded on his 1971 album, Imagine. Classic!
I’ve so many more I could talk about but the night’s not long enough. Madonna, Wham, Tracy Ullman, David Essex, Culture Club, Chris De Burgh, Status Quo, Kim Wilde, The Police, Pet Shop Boys, Madness, Adam and the Ants. And more.
Those were the days of fantastic music and great songs!
Gloria McBreen 