The Wednesday sessions have been running now for over eighteen months, from 2.00 pm to 4.00 pm, and have proved to be a popular event for local seniors seeking alternative mid-week entertainment, in which they all participate to some degree. Music and song has been provided regularly during that time by Kevin Nolan on accordion; Margaret Dooley (songs, plus the occasional demonstration of the dance - 'Varsovienne', also known as 'Shoe the Donkey'); Gerry Walsh - well-known local professional singer; Bim Connors - another well-known local professional, with his digital orchestral backing tracks; Davy ('Busty') Griffin - who comes out regularly from Waterford City - accordion, songs, jokes and yarns galore; Tom Comerford - still another popular local professional singer; Con Lucy - ballads galore, usually of County Cork origin; not forgetting some trad, folk, and other pieces on the harmonica and concertina , plus an occasional song and photography by 'your's truly'! There are quite a few others who drop in 'out of the blue' and contribute still more songs and music, but I do not have all their names.
Pictures in this section are from a selection taken on Wednesday, May 7th (2014)
Included above from L to R.: Percy Wall who arrived in unexpectedly from Newtown (Kilmacthomas), Eileen O'Brien and Maudie Hallissey - regular locals. Maudie likes most days to show off her waltzing and jiving ability.
Johnny O'Brien, famous for his GAA exploits, had a look in same day.
Ned Hanrahan, a native of Grangemockler, and Ann O'Shea from Windgap, County Waterford,
who also dropped in unexpectedly same day.
Percy Wall, from Newtown (Kilmacthomas), wasn't long sitting down when we discovered he was a singer, whom some may have heard occasionally at Lenihans' of Newtown.
He obliged with about four 'country' songs, all of which were well received!
Regulars - Peggy Brophy and Eileen Coffey, who never miss a week.
Kevin Nolan, a regular who keeps the whole show going with his songs, music and amplification equipment.
Two more regulars, who never miss a week - Terry Walsh and Mary Power (?).
Mary has been known to sing a few songs, and Terry contributes much to the general banter.
The big surprise on the day in question was when Ned Hanrahan sang, and was then recognised as one who was heard singing that great Tipperary ballad about footballer Michael Hogan, in Delaney's Pub, Ahenny, one night about twelve years ago.'Mick' Hogan was killed during that infamous incident at Croke Park on 'Bloody Sunday' in 1920. Ned obiged once more with that great, seldom-heard ballad, and by strange co-incidence had been invited to sing it the following Sunday at the oficial opening of a new GAA pitch in Grangemockler, dedicated to Michael Hogan! He then surprised all when he produced a harmonica on which he played a number of tunes and some music leading up to songs from his repertoire. Ned sings in a church choir in Carrick-on-Suir.
Some further text to follow.
