Íoslódáil (PDF) - Comhaltas Archive

Robbie was a legendary figure,
considered an expert in song making
and the King of the singers.
Presentations included a beautiful
bouquet of flowers to Maura, a huge
mirror with an etching of Robbie, a
'Rynhart' horse and cart piece, €2500
holiday voucher and a weekend for
two at Fleadh Cheoil Na hEireann
2003. Pat Liddy thanked everyone
involved in the secret preparations
busy one in the diary ofTrad fans
with events of music, song and dance
on in various places. The secret plans
for the invasion of Spancilhill had not
been revealed to the King. For many
months all over Ireland groups of
singers were conniving to crown
Robbie McMahon the King of singers.
When we arrived at Duggans pub on
the Friday night the crowds were
already bulging in -or was it out- the
door. In no time at all a second venue
was ringing to the sound of songs. Pat
Liddy who masterminded the plans was
traeping an eagle eye on both bars while
Robbie was Fear aTi at the first venue
just as he has been since the singing
sessions started almost two years ago
on the first Friday of each month which
he himself tided 'Robbie's First Friday:
Pen in hand, Robbie, one of the best
balladeers in living memory, noted
down the names of singers as their,
arrived and each one MS ~..,.
What a night and only two • attd
nights left! Pat Uddy teI(J .. rm ~ be
one of the speakers at" pNSentation,
which he is careful tQ C8iII ~ Official
Opening' wha1 he .1IIIdng to Robbie.
Can we keep .... tom him for
another twantrW hoursl
After
or was it lunch we
reach Norrie Henchys in Clooney just
a mile frQm Spancilhill at 2pm on
~ cw, the early birds have
arrived:Dd f\obbie is in full flight.
~ from the night before like
DaM1Iif-Molloyand Mick Scanlon are
soon: fOfned by some fresh
campaigners such as
Alice Fitzgerald from
Dungarvan. It's the
afternoon shift and
between songs some
are taking in the last
sun of our Samhradh
Feil' Mhichil. Isn't that
Mary McNamara. no
concertina, she's
enjoying the sun and
the songs.
At 9pm Saturday night it's standIna
room only In the bigger venue of the
Spancilhill Inn. Frank Custy and his
band are keeping the set dancers
acing, &ivinI the Singers time to have a
chat. What is Robbies best song ... no
h. cIkIn't compose Spancilhill. Who's
tbaullldng to Labhras 6 MurchU
AJ!8~ looking forward to going
back to Clonmel for Fleadh Cheoil
Na hEireann
The music stops. There is an air of
expectation and they're setting up a
table in front of the stage. Pat Liddy
calls for Robbie and his wife Maura
and they are joined by the speakers.
Labhrcis 6 Murchu remembers
Robbie's contribution as an
entertainer. not alone in Ireland, but
on Comhaltas tours in foreign parts
and his input into various events
especially The Fleadh Nua. Seamus
Mac Mathuna quoted from some of
Robbies own compositions with The
Fleadh Down in Ennis (1956) getting
special mention. Speaking on behalf of
the singers Micheal 6 Marane\in said
'lO
and especially those who helped with
the food which was served at all
venues during the weekend. He also
thanked all who contributed to the
presentation including the local Fair
Committee, the Gun Club, the
Hurling Club, the Set Dancing Club,
the Fianna Fail Cumann, Scoil
Samhraidh Willie Clancy and the Ennis
and Nenagh Singing Clubs.
Its back to the singing and there's only
Sunday left. 2pm Sunday and there are
more fresh voices, back where it all
started, in Duggans. Your man there is
just back from the singing weekend in
Forkhill! There's Ollie Conway just
arrived from Mullagh. Its a mighty
afternoon!! Will it be an annual event
The video cameras are in action again.
Will there be recordings availablel
Come on Robbie you sing two more
and we'll finish it up before dark!
"Sit back into your chairs me boys and
I'U stay in the hob .... Concerning my
youthful days a story sad and true •• .'.
But they are still singing at midnight.
- Pictures taken by Ray Conway, EnnIs