ENNIS FLEADH NUA - Comhaltas Archive

MORE WEXFORDBALLADS"That renowned and personable Wexford bard Paddy Berry has once againtapped the well-spring of native folklore. He has helped to fill the reservoir ofnative song so that now and in years to come younger generations may drink theirfill of the genius and insight of those earthy balladeers who recorded for posteritythe deeds of the great, the meek and the ordinary mortals who inhabit our countryside.These ballad makers were the authentic recorders of history and the mostpotent commentators on social, political and cultural issues. "This was stated by Labhras bMurchu when he officially launchedPaddy Berry 's second book of Wexfordballads at a very pleasant function inEnniscorthy during Fleadh CheoilLaighean. The book is appropriatelytitled "More Wexford Ballads". AntArdstiurth6ir continued:Oh, Willie, brother Willie, your mind sooften straysBack to your home in Cleariestown andhappy Christmas days,You were young then, Willie, and sowere millions moreYou're now an exile, growing old, awayfrom Wexford's shore.Oh, Willie, brother Willie, you fIXedNick Larkin 's fanYou put a foot on Mary Hayes's pot anda lug on Rossiter's panA brake on Banville 's grubber, . piecedsocks for Robert DoyleIt's no wonder, brother Willie, you'renow on foreign soil.That direct statement from the soul ofJ em Carroll recalls the emigration of hisblacksmith brother, Bill, to England.This is a theme with which the majorityof homes in Ireland could easilyidentify. There are no teacher's notesrequired to point out the nuances oryearnings - they are scarred deep in thespirit of the nation.Paddy Berry the All-Irelandchampion ballad singer: Paddy Berrythe . sensitive and helpful adjudicator;Paddy Berry the entertainer supreme;and now Paddy Berry the song collectorare all facets of a rare , complex yetdown-to-earth son of rural Ireland. Hismanly bearing; his sporting instincts andhis ability to sing a song with the best ofthem ranks him with many of his illustriousWexford forebears and with thelegendary Matt the Thresher of CharlesKickham's imagination.As Plidraig Kehoe of Enniscorthyonce declared:Old Wexford of the sturdy sonsSprujg from a stubborn soilBreed of the men who spiked the gunsLand of our hearts, while Slaney runsTill time and memory fade awayHere's to you, Wexford, all the way.Paddy's second collection of ballads -aptly titled "More Wexford Ballads" -is a rich and varied treasury of nativesongs. Many of these ballads laysleeping but now have been revivedthrough the determination of the songcollector whom we salute here tonight.We would, indeed, have greatly diminishedthis treasury if we had allowedsuch gems of wisdom and feeling to fadeinto oblivion. In this book we get an. authentic glimpse of the life and timesof the real artistic Ireland as seenthrough the eyes of the uninhibitedcommunity philosopher. Here is notonly a window of the past but aninviting door to the future.Last night whilst sleeping peacefully , Istrolled down memory landAnd so enchanted I became I was but achild againThe lush green fields where oft I playedin vision I see stillAnd the babbling brook pursues itscourse, just below Bally donegan Hill.I retraced my footsteps up the pathunto the winding laneI promised if God willed, I would comeback there once againTo view it in reality , then I'd kneel andkiss the sodHaving done my best, I would leave therest to Mary and to God.Paddy Berry has enthralled audiencesin the village halls of Ireland and in thegreat auditoria across North America.He has revived memories; inspired confidence; and helped to regain our prideas a noble race. His thirst for discoveringthe " hidden Ireland" will, I believe,remain unabated for many years tocome and the reservoir will continue tobe filled by his untiring efforts.He has been a staunch member ofComhaltas Ceolt6iri Eireann for manyyears and held many positions in themovement. Only a few weeks ago hewas elected by the Ardchomhairle as amember of the national Coiste Cheoilwhere his knowledge and experiencewill be greatly valued.I would like to see "More WexfordBallads" introduced into schools andpublic libraries and I hope that everycounty in Ireland will emulate PaddyBerry's example.Thank you, Paddy, for ploughing alonely furrow and sowing a fertile seedwhich will be harvested with pride andenthusiasm where ever ballad singersforegather for many years to come.I think it would be appropriate toconclude by borrowing another versefrom Paddy's book as a tribute tohimself:So hurrah for old Wexford, the countywe loveThe gold and the purple waves proudlyaboveIt's the home of great heroes She 'srearing them stillJust like their forefathers on Vin egarHill.42