IRISH LIFE AND LORE SERIES WEXFORD...

Irish Life and Lore Series Wexford Festival Opera Collection

IRISH LIFE AND LORE SERIES

WEXFORD FESTIVAL OPERA COLLECTION

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CATALOGUE OF 62 RECORDINGS

Page: 1 / 32 © 2008 Maurice O'Keeffe


www.irishlifeandlore.com

Recordings compiled by : Maurice O’Keeffe

Catalogue Editor : Jane O’Keeffe and Alasdair McKenzie

Secretarial work by : n.b.services, Tralee

Recordings mastered and printed by : Midland Duplication, Birr, Co. Offaly

Privately published by : Maurice and Jane O’Keeffe, Tralee

Supported by:

The Library and Archives Service of Wexford County Council manages the archives of the Wexford Festival Opera on its behalf. Access is by appointment in advance only.

Wexford County Council Public Library Service Email: [email protected]: www.wexford.ie/libraryTelephone: +353 (53) 9124922



Irish Life and Lore SeriesMaurice and Jane O’Keeffe, Ballyroe, Tralee, County Kerrye-mail: [email protected]: www.irishlifeandlore.comTelephone: + 353 (66) 7121991/ + 353 87 2998167


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NAME: JUDY SINNOTT, BORN 1927, MURNTOWN, WEXFORDTitle: Irish Life and Lore Wexford Festival Opera Collection, CD 1Subject: Memories of growing up in Wexford TownRecorded by: Maurice O’KeeffeDate: 2008Time: 45:07Description: Judy Sinnott was recorded at her home in Murntown and she speaks initially about her schooldays and her first job serving behind the counter of a confectionery business run by her aunt and her mother. This was also an eating-house, which did quite good business during the war years. Directly after the war she went to England to continue her training as a confectioner. She returned to Wexford in 1950, and joined the Opera Study Circle which had been set up by Dr Tom Walsh. She speaks about her memories of the very first opera produced in Wexford, and about its great success. Judy also details at great length her family business Celtic Linen, where the emphasis was on the employment of women.

NAME: DES CORISH, BORN 1925, JOHN STREET DRIVE, WEXFORD (Part 1)Title: Irish Life and Lore Wexford Festival Opera Collection, CD 2Subject: A family history in politicsRecorded by: Maurice O’KeeffeDate: 2008Time: 45:48Description: Surrounded by family memorabilia at the Corish house, Des Corish began the interview by talking about his father’s political life. He recalls his parents’ involvement in the Wexford Music Society, and their love for the music and performances. His mother Katy was in the chorus and had an excellent voice. He details Dr Tom Walsh’s life prior to his involvement with the Opera Festival. He recalls his late brother Brendan’s career in politics. He also speaks about his own life as an official in the Trade Union Movement in Dublin from the early fifties till 1963, his work in the pub business in Wexford from 1963 to 1972, and his time in the Corporation and County Council in Wexford.



NAME: DES CORISH, BORN 1925, JOHN STREET DRIVE, WEXFORD (Part 2)Title: Irish Life and Lore Wexford Festival Opera Collection, CD 3Subject: A family history in politicsRecorded by: Maurice O’KeeffeDate: 2008Time: 50:26Description: During this recording Des Corish displays some of the many fine Light Opera Society programmes he has preserved, and speaks about the casts associated with the performances. This recording also includes his recollections of his father’s activities during the troubled 1916-1922 period.

NAME: CHARLOTTE HENDRICK, BORN 1915, ST JOHN’S ROAD, WEXFORD (Part 1)Title: Irish Life and Lore Wexford Festival Opera Collection, CD 4Subject: A long and illustrious singing careerRecorded by: Maurice O’KeeffeDate: 2008Time: 30:40Description: In the comfort of her own home, Charlotte Hendrick recalls the untimely death of her mother when Charlotte was just four years old, and a subsequent challenging upbringing by her aunt. At the age of 16 she won a Gold medal for singing at Feis Charman in 1931. She speaks very admiringly of her music teacher Nicky Hore. Her father worked with her grandfather, who was a master mariner and many memories associated with her father’s life at sea are recorded. Other memories recalled include her time on the local camogie team, the Light Opera Society and the great characters she met through her involvement.



NAME: CHARLOTTE HENDRICK, BORN 1915, ST JOHN’S ROAD, WEXFORD (Part 2)Title: Irish Life and Lore Wexford Festival Opera Collection, CD 5Subject: A long and illustrious singing careerRecorded by: Maurice O’KeeffeDate: 2008Time: 52:30Description: Charlotte Hendrick clearly recalls the people in the town in the years before the Second World War, the religious customs in the town, and her time in the ICA. The interview strongly displays her passion for acting and music, and her participation, in conjunction with many other people in the town of Wexford.

NAME: SÉAMUS O’ROURKE, BORN 1927, WEXFORDTitle: Irish Life and Lore Wexford Festival Opera Collection, CD 6Subject: A bank manager’s recollectionsRecorded by: Maurice O’KeeffeDate: 2008Time: 42:35Description: Séamus O’Rourke is a native of Roscommon. His father was a teacher who had a strong Fianna Fáil background. Seamus joined the Munster and Leinster Bank in 1946 in Ballina, Co Mayo and he recalls his football days in Ballina, playing in the Minor team. He arrived in Wexford town in 1952 as assistant Bank Manager of the Munster and Leinster Bank. He recalls his friendship with Dr Tom Walsh, who saved his life on one occasion when he was very ill. He describes the early days of the Wexford Opera Festival, and details some of his favourite operas.



NAME: JOAN DOYLE, BORN 1932, WEXFORDTitle: Irish Life and Lore Wexford Festival Opera Collection, CD 7Subject: A tradition of music, song and sportRecorded by: Maurice O’KeeffeDate: 2008Time: 39:18Description: Joan Doyle grew up two miles outside Wexford and her maiden name was Corcoran. This recording details her memories of her parents attending the Hunt Ball in the Town Hall in Wexford, her successful years playing hockey at international level, which began with her membership of the Wexford Hockey Club, her happy memories of the early days of the Opera Festival, serving teas to the audience, and backstage to the performers and volunteers. Her enthusiasm and love for the opera may clearly be heard. She recalls the fun of the fancy dress balls, which traditionally took place on the 6th January each year.

NAME: MAIRÉAD FURLONG, BORN 1931, NICHOLAS FURLONG, BORN 1929 WITH JOAN LAMBERT, BORN 1931, WEXFORD (Part 1)Title: Irish Life and Lore Wexford Festival Opera Collection, CD 8Subject: Recollections of the Opera FestivalRecorded by: Maurice O’KeeffeDate: 2008Time: 42:37Description: Mairéad Furlong speaks about her own background, and the happy circumstances which led her to marry Nicholas Furlong and settle in Wexford. She recalls her involvement in the farm, which was later sold, and in their antiques business. She became involved in the Festival Council in 1968 and she describes those early days. Joan Lambert details the Arts Exhibition in the fringe events, and explains that she took over the running of this in 1976 following the death of her brother-in-law Billy Kelly. She details the many great Irish artists who visited Wexford with their work. Nicholas recalls the background to his involvement in the Festival, he simply lit up the town!



NAME: MAIRÉAD FURLONG, BORN 1931, NICHOLAS FURLONG, BORN 1929 WITH JOAN LAMBERT, BORN 1931, WEXFORD (Part 2)Title: Irish Life and Lore Wexford Festival Opera Collection, CD 9Subject: Recollections of the Opera FestivalRecorded by: Maurice O’KeeffeDate: 2008Time: 45:50Description: Nicholas Furlong outlines his position as a Press Officer for the Opera Festival. Mairéad Furlong recalls a news article written in 1958 by Dr Tom Walsh about the Opera Festival, and Nicholas continues by recalling the people who came to the Festival, about whom he gave some great anecdotal accounts. Finally, Joan Lambert recalls her arrival in Wexford in the 1960s, and her first impressions of Wexford as a town of music. Nicholas Furlong spent 35 years providing historical tours during the days of the Festival.

NAME: MAIRÉAD FURLONG, BORN 1931 AND NICHOLAS FURLONG, BORN 1927, WEXFORDTitle: Irish Life and Lore Wexford Festival Opera Collection, CD 10Subject: A passion for the operaRecorded by: Maurice O’KeeffeDate: 2008Time: 67:37Description: Mairéad Furlong details her time in Wexford and her involvement in the Festival Council. She chronicles the intense personalised work over a five week period annually, with the visiting performers, and the wonderful memories of the early days in the sixties and seventies. She also speaks about her antiques business. Also, in this recording, Mairéad’s husband Nicholas Furlong, a local historian, recalls the history of music in Wexford, as well as the Cromwellian settlement in the area, and also the tragic destruction of some of the big houses in the county.



NAME: TED HOWLIN, BORN 1945, WEXFORDTitle: Irish Life and Lore Wexford Festival Opera Collection, CD 11Subject: Total dedication to a successful festivalRecorded by: Maurice O’KeeffeDate: 2008Time: 52:36Description: Ted Howlin is a former Council Chairman. He grew up in Wexford town, and worked in Teagasc, carrying out agricultural research. He detailed the great passion in his life which involved working for the Opera Festival. He manned the box office from 1973, and describes the people involved as being “like a big family”. He speaks about the logistics of organising all the events of the Festival and declares that the local people are the best critics of the performances. He also discusses the various visitors who arrived for the Festival year after year.

NAME: PEGGY SHIGGINS, BORN 1923, WEXFORD (Part 1)Title: Irish Life and Lore Wexford Festival Opera Collection, CD 12Subject: Fond memories of Festival yearsRecorded by: Maurice O’KeeffeDate: 2008Time: 74:18Description: Peggy Shiggins is a native of Dublin. Her maiden name was Curran, and her father came from the Kingdom of Kerry. She describes how her nursing profession brought her to Wexford town in 1946. She subsequently married the late Dr Richard Shiggins. She feels that her background in attending performances in her own city, at the Abbey and Gaiety theatres on a regular basis as a child, gave her an appreciation of the performance she experienced during the Festival in Wexford town. She fondly recalls her friendship and that of her late husband, with Dr Tom Walsh and his wife Eva.



NAME: PEGGY SHIGGINS, BORN 1923, WEXFORD (Part 2)Title: Irish Life and Lore Wexford Festival Opera Collection, CD 13Subject: Childhood memoriesRecorded by: Maurice O’KeeffeDate: 2008Time: 34:38Description: Peggy Shiggins provides a great account of life as a young child growing up in the 1930s in central Dublin. She mentions the games they played, the characters, the traders in Moore Street, and the Theatre Royal, which she and her friends frequented. She describes the extraordinary friendships which developed out of those earlier days, where they had freedom to wander and play, even though they had little money.

NAME: PETER MAGUIRE, BORN 1926, ROSSLARETitle: Irish Life and Lore Wexford Festival Opera Collection, CD 14Subject: A close friendship with the Festival’s foundersRecorded by: Maurice O’KeeffeDate: 2008Time: 65:21Description: Peter Maguire is a native of Dublin, and as a child he spent all his holidays in Wexford. After he was called to the Bar in 1949, one of his circuit towns was Wexford. It was fascinating to record Peter’s perception, from the outside, of all the events and performances of the Festival. Through his friendship with Dr Tom Walsh he attended many of the parties associated with the Festival, and recounted anecdotes of these entertaining events. He became very friendly with Tom Walsh later in his life, and Tom wrote to him on many occasions.

NAME: PAT COLLINS, BORN 1958, WEXFORDTitle: Irish Life and Lore Wexford Festival Opera Collection, CD 15Subject: A Councillor’s view of the Opera FestivalRecorded by: Maurice O’KeeffeDate: 2008Time: 44:32Description: Pat Collins is Town Clerk in Wexford Town. He is a native of Wexford, and a Festival volunteer since the 1980s. In this recording he points out that the Opera Festival is a model to be followed, and he details his views on the professionalism associated with the Festival, the core staff, and the Council’s contribution. He speaks about the positioning of the new Opera House which is to be completed for the 2008 event.



NAME: DR NORA LIDDY, BORN 1936, WEXFORDTitle: Irish Life and Lore Wexford Festival Opera Collection, CD 16Subject: Memories of her fatherRecorded by: Maurice O’KeeffeDate: 2008Time: 53:41Description: Dr Jim Liddy worked closely with Dr Tom Walsh and Dr Des French in organising and promoting the first Opera Festival. Dr Nora Liddy recalls many happy memories, in particular of Fr Enda Keane, a Franciscan friar, who would train the chorus late into the night. She recalled her father, listening to short-wave radio, picking up Italian and French music programmes to identify talented performers, who would then be contacted by Dr Tom Walsh on visits to Europe. Dr Walsh would arrange a contract so that they would perform in Wexford. Nora spoke about the Friends of the Opera, and she described the dedication which kept the Festival going each year, and the drive of the Wexford people to see it survive, and prosper.

NAME: HELEN SKRINE, BORN 1926, BUTLERSTOWN, WEXFORD (Part 1)Title: Irish Life and Lore Wexford Festival Opera Collection, CD 17Subject: A family historyRecorded by: Maurice O’KeeffeDate: 2008Time: 62:26Description: Helen Skrine began the recording by retracing her family background, her mother’s mother being a St Leger, who became an orphan at the age of five. Her father was Francis Boxwell who inherited lands from his own father. For three generations they had been absentee landlords for the majority of the time, and as a result, much of the family’s lands were divided up by the Land Commission and allocated to local tenants. Helen has strong views on the religiously divided society of her youth, which held a small community of Protestants in a strongly Catholic country. She recalls her father’s hopes and aspirations at a time when there were great financial difficulties during the thirties and his firm stance in holding onto the lands which he dearly loved. She also recalled her four years with the BBC Music Department and her return home in the early fifties.



NAME: HELEN SKRINE, BORN 1926, BUTLERSTOWN, WEXFORD (Part 2)Title: Irish Life and Lore Wexford Festival Opera Collection, CD 18Subject: A family history, continuedRecorded by: Maurice O’KeeffeDate: 2008Time: 26:03Description: Helen Skrine clearly recalls the wonderful musical evenings in her home, and her own involvement in the origins of the Festival. She was appointed to the job of engendering interest in the Festival among the county people. She was given this responsibility by Dr Tom Walsh, a great friend of the family. She got little enough response, apart from Col David Price. She was also instructed to write the programme notes for the early operas. She speaks about her marriage to the late John Skine in 1952. They spent 25 years in Malaysia and she recalls working as private secretary in the King’s house in Kuala Lumpur.

NAME: HELEN SKRINE, BORN 1926, BUTLERSTOWN, WEXFORD (Part 3)Title: Irish Life and Lore Wexford Festival Opera Collection, CD 19Subject: Butlerstown CastleRecorded by: Maurice O’KeeffeDate: 2008Time: 60:25Description: The Norman castle stands in close proximity to the Skrine home and this recording was compiled while touring the castle, which fell into the hands of the Boxwells in the 1890s. Previously it had been occupied by the Harveys of Bargy Castle, who were cousins. The purpose of the medieval castle was to protect the local people against their raiding neighbours, the McMurrough Kavanaghs. While walking through the lofty rooms and up the steep stairway enclosure, Helen Skrine provided a running account of her ancestors. We had a commanding view at the top of the castle, and she explained how the eight local Norman castles communicated with each other. The final section of this recording was compiled at Lingstown Castle and Helen had many anecdotes to tell about the people there and the village of Tomhaggard.



NAME: EITHNE SCALLAN, BORN 1933, WEXFORDTitle: Irish Life and Lore Wexford Festival Opera Collection, CD 20Subject: A passion for operaRecorded by: Maurice O’KeeffeDate: 2008Time: 58:00Description: In this recording, Eithne Scallan recalls her father’s fascinating background. Eithne first attended the Opera in 1958. She came to Wexford to work in 1964 and was appointed to the position as secretary to the Festival because of her fluency in French and Italian. She describes the circumstances which led to her marriage to her late husband, Sean Scallan, a devoted opera enthusiast. She speaks about the chorus and their enthusiasm for learning European scores, the emphasis on lighting and costumes, and the directors down through the years. She details the great benefits the Festival in the town of Wexford has bestowed on the local people over the past 54 years.

NAME: EITHNE SCALLAN, BORN 1933 WITH FR AODHÁN MARKEN CC, WEXFORDTitle: Irish Life and Lore Wexford Festival Opera Collection, CD 21Subject: Augustus Pugin rememberedRecorded by: Maurice O’KeeffeDate: 2008Time: 43:46Description: One of the great architect Pugin’s first contracts in Ireland came through the Talbot family of Wexford, which instructed him to design St Peter’s College Chapel. The Chaplain of St Peter’s, Fr Aodhán Marken speaks about his time as a seminarian there, and as Chaplain over the previous 20 years. Historian and author Eithne Scallan was recorded here, walking the corridor leading to St Peter’s Chapel. She discussed Pugin’s involvement with many churches in the county. St Peter’s was an outstanding achievement. On entering the chapel, Eithne described in great detail the Rose Window and the triptych, and the tremendous use of gold leaf and strong colours. This Chapel became one of the venues for classic liturgical music and other performances during the Opera Festival. She spoke very highly of the local artisans and tradesmen who built this church, as well as the twin churches in the town, now celebrating their 150th anniversary.



NAME: JIMMY O’CONNOR, BORN 1931 AND SYLVIA O’CONNOR, BORN 1932, WEXFORDTitle: Irish Life and Lore Wexford Festival Opera Collection, CD 22Subject: A long association with operaRecorded by: Maurice O’KeeffeDate: 2008Time: 60:59Description: Both Jimmy and Sylvia O’Connor worked in the legal profession, and lived and worked in Dublin for many years. Jimmy’s father was a founder of the Patron Members of the Dublin Grand Opera Society. Jimmy himself became President of the Gramophone Society in Wexford, and also joined the Council of the Wexford Festival in 1960. This recording focuses on both Sylvia and Jimmy’s appreciation and love of the many performances which took place in the Theatre Royal down through the 54 years. Jimmy spoke about his own participation in the Festival as a Transport Officer, and had many anecdotes to tell about the Festival down through the years.

NAME: MAIRTÍN McCULLOUGH, BORN 1924, MOUNT MERRION AVENUE, DUBLINTitle: Irish Life and Lore Wexford Festival Opera Collection, CD 23Subject: A background in musicRecorded by: Maurice O’KeeffeDate: 2008Time: 60:35Description: Mairtín McCullough grew up in the atmosphere of the family’s music business, a business which he later took over from his father. In this recording he speaks about his passion for opera, and of his Wexford connections. From the very beginning, he has attended all the Festivals through the years, and he became a member of the Wexford Opera Council in the late sixties. He was responsible for the organisation of the Opera Train from Dublin to Wexford. He also speaks in great detail about his childhood years growing up in Ranelagh.



NAME: FR SÉAMUS DeVÁL, BORN 1926, BUNCLODY, WEXFORDTitle: Irish Life and Lore Wexford Festival Opera Collection, CD 24Subject: A musical journeyRecorded by: Maurice O’KeeffeDate: 2008Time: 60:39Description: There was always traditional Irish music to be heard in Séamus de Vál’s home in Bunclody during his early years, and all through his years as a seminarian at Maynooth, he was involved in the Gramophone Society and in the orchestra. His first appointment was to St Peter’s in Wexford, where he taught for 27 years. He was appointed Parish Priest in Oulart after which he retired to Bunclody. He was then appointed diocesan archivist. He has attended all the operas and he speaks about his many great memories of some wonderful performances. He has very clear recollections of his first opera (1951). He describes the critics, and their reactions to the operas.

NAME: NICKY CLEARY, BORN 1933, WEXFORDTitle: Irish Life and Lore Wexford Festival Opera Collection, CD 25Subject: Long memories associated with the operaRecorded by: Maurice O’KeeffeDate: 2008Time: 45:52Description: From a very young age Nicky Cleary was a great collector of 78 rpm records, which were sold locally by M. J. Collins’s record shop. Another opera buff was Séamus O’Dwyer, who would encourage and advise Nicky, and give him direction as to the right choice of record. In 1954, Nicky started work backstage as a Festival volunteer. He speaks about the dedication and outstanding loyalty they all felt towards Dr Tom Walsh. He later became stage manager and he describes his experiences both with the Opera Festival and the Light Opera Society. He speaks about the ghostly presence in the Theatre Royal, and his own personal experience of coming in contact with it.



NAME: VINCENT BRADY, BORN 1943 AND MARIE BRADY, BORN 1946, WEXFORDTitle: Irish Life and Lore Wexford Festival Opera Collection, CD 26Subject: Working for the Opera FestivalRecorded by: Maurice O’KeeffeDate: 2008Time: 43:55Description: Marie Brady worked for the Opera Festival as a wardrobe mistress, and she speaks at great length about her days and nights preparing costumes for the opera. There was close communication with Seamus O’Dwyer, who worked in her uncle’s post office. Vincent Brady recalls the many occasions on which they would entertain the opera singers in their own houses. The recording also focused on Marie and Vincent’s backgrounds, and their passion for the opera, which they claimed formed a major part of their family’s life.

NAME: ANNIE MURPHY, BORN 1928, WEXFORD (Part 1)Title: Irish Life and Lore Wexford Festival Opera Collection, CD 27Subject: A chorus singer’s memoriesRecorded by: Maurice O’KeeffeDate: 2008Time: 51:42Description: In this recording Annie Murphy’s enthusiasm and passion for pantomime, light opera and chorus singing, are clearly evident. She recalls her early days growing up in Carrigeen Street, her young days as she married and reared her family, and finally settling in Wexford Town. She also describes her first successful audition for the Festival Opera as a chorus singer, as well as her own singing and acting, which became a very big part of her life. She fondly recalls the people who inspired her and who provided her with a lifelong interest in music and she is very proud of the fact that she and her three children were involved in Light Opera.



NAME: ANNIE MURPHY, BORN 1928, WEXFORD (Part 2)Title: Irish Life and Lore Wexford Festival Opera Collection, CD 28Subject: Childhood memoriesRecorded by: Maurice O’KeeffeDate: 2008Time: 60:01Description: Annie Murphy’s involvement in youth and community work in the town of Wexford down through the years has been very successful. In this recording, Annie talks about her own upbringing, her father’s work as a cattle drover for the farmers. With a large family to rear and very little money coming in, her mother had to work hard to provide sustenance for her children. Annie recalls the joy and excitement she experienced from singing in Light Operas over the years.

NAME: PATSY MAHER, BORN 1935, BALLINKEELTitle: Irish Life and Lore Wexford Festival Opera Collection, CD 29Subject: A life with horsesRecorded by: Maurice O’KeeffeDate: 2008Time: 58:09Description: Since Patsy Maher was old enough to ride, she participated in many organised events which took place locally, including the hunt. Her uncles in Ballinkeel bred and trained fine horses, including the legendary Frigate, which won the Grand National in 1889. Patsy was short listed for the Olympics in Montreal in 1976. She has clear memories of her father exhibiting his many fine silver trophies in the fifties. She also speaks about her travels to Scotland, England and Dublin and the many successes and disappointments of her long career.



NAME: JOHN MAHER, BORN 1944 AND MARGARET MAHER, BORN 1946, BALLINKEEL HOUSE (Part 1)Title: Irish Life and Lore Wexford Festival Opera Collection, CD 30Subject: Fond memories of the Opera FestivalRecorded by: Maurice O’KeeffeDate: 2008Time: 55:19Description: This recording, compiled at Ballinkeel House provides a great deal of information on John and Margaret Maher’s family histories. Margaret, a native of Scotland, spoke about her visits to Ballinkeel, and her marriage. In 1980, John and Margaret set up a wine bar in the Theatre Royal, which turned out to be a very successful enterprise which lasted for 15 years. Margaret recalled her involvement with the Festival in volunteering to paint the back drops and to work on props while her husband John was working as an usher.

NAME: JOHN MAHER, BORN 1944 AND MARGARET MAHER, BORN 1946, BALLINKEEL HOUSE (Part 2)Title: Irish Life and Lore Wexford Festival Opera Collection, CD 31Subject: Ballinkeel House, a historyRecorded by: Maurice O’KeeffeDate: 2008Time: 64:03Description: Ballinkeel House is of one of Wexford’s most historic houses. This recording began in the hallway with John and Margaret Maher and moved through the rooms and corridors of this magnificent building. John and Margaret told anecdotes about events which happened in the house down through the years and John also speaks about his close encounter with the spirit which haunts the house. This recording includes information on the architecture, the furnishings and the family heirlooms of this magnificent house.



NAME: DON CURTIN, BORN 1952, WEXFORDTitle: Irish Life and Lore Wexford Festival Opera Collection, CD 32Subject: A Town Clerk remembersRecorded by: Maurice O’KeeffeDate: 2008Time: 42:35Description: Don Curtin is a native of Cork. He joined Local Government in 1970 and was Town Clerk in several locations around the country. He came to Wexford in 1984 and was Town Clerk in Wexford Town for 17 years. Don speaks about his time on the Opera Festival Council, which he joined in 1986. During that time, a very brave decision was made by the Council to create a more businesslike approach by forming an Opera Festival Board, which would involve a limited number of directors. Don also details the changing face of Wexford Town, and the support of the local Council in the building of the new Opera House.

NAME: TOM HARRINGTON, BORN 1930, WEXFORDTitle: Irish Life and Lore Wexford Festival Opera Collection, CD 33Subject: An electrician’s memoriesRecorded by: Maurice O’KeeffeDate: 2008Time: 55:35Description: Tom Harrington was born in Tipperary, his father was a member of the Garda Siochána. In 1942 the family moved to Wexford Town. Tom speaks first about his extended family’s involvement in the War of Independence, in Emly, North Tipperary. He joined the ESB and speaks about the many initial electrical connections to farmhouses both in Wexford and in Waterford. It is interesting to hear Tom’s views about the social distinction between the Opera Committee and the volunteers with the opera in the town.



NAME: MICHAEL MURPHY, BORN 1929, WEXFORDTitle: Irish Life and Lore Wexford Festival Opera Collection, CD 34Subject: Helping the underprivileged in the communityRecorded by: Maurice O’KeeffeDate: 2008Time: 37:31Description: Michael Murphy grew up in Waterloo Road, Wexford Town. His father was a cork merchant, supplying publicans who at that time bottled their ales. Michael himself as a young lad worked in a wine and spirit merchant’s shop which was one of the oldest firms in the town. On retirement, due to illness, he decided to take up work with the St Vincent de Paul Society, and he recalls the many difficult situations which they were able to assist financially. Michael recalls the first Opera Festival which he attended (1951), but admitted that he wasn’t an opera lover and went along for the novelty. He stresses that as a young lad he and his friends distributed programmes during the Festival Week and he remains involved in that way. Michael also speaks about his 10 years spent as chairperson with the Irish Wheelchair Association.

NAME: FRANK MURPHY, BORN 1949. WEXFORDTitle: Irish Life and Lore Wexford Festival Opera Collection, CD 35Subject: A lighting technician’s memoriesRecorded by: Maurice O’KeeffeDate: 2008Time: 47:41Description: This recording with Frank Murphy was compiled in Wolfe Tone Villas, in the house in which he was born and grew up. He joined Pierces in 1969 and at that time a member of staff of Pierces was recruiting volunteers for the Opera Festival. Frank began work with Nick Hayes in lighting from 1970 to 1975. He details how professional lighting for the Opera House was sourced in those days, and says that in 1972 a show was performed which demanded more professional lighting, which was sourced from HTV in Wales. He describes the logistics of bringing that lighting system to Wexford, and installing it in the Theatre Royal. This was a fascinating recording as Frank speaks with passion and enthusiasm for his craft.



NAME: ALBERT LACEY, BORN 1947, WEXFORDTitle: Irish Life and Lore Wexford Festival Opera Collection, CD 36Subject: A town dedicated to operaRecorded by: Maurice O’KeeffeDate: 2008Time: 46:31Description: White’s Hotel was the venue for this recording with Albert Lacey who relates that ‘The Barn’ in the hotel was one of the locations for the performance of short operas. At that time schools came to these performances, and this kindled young peoples’ enthusiasm for opera music. Albert’s occupation as a post office worker brought him to many counties around Ireland over 15 years. He worked with the Revenue from 1970. He describes how the Gramophone Society played a big part in promoting the world of classical music to the Wexford people. His own involvement was as front-of-house man, and he has many anecdotes to relate associated with this position.

NAME: MARIE FANE, BORN 1928, WEXFORD (Part 1)Title: Irish Life and Lore Wexford Festival Opera Collection, CD 37Subject: Memories of the Opera FestivalRecorded by: Maurice O’KeeffeDate: 2008Time: 68:08Description: Marie Fane was recorded at her home in Davitt Road, Wexford, where she has lived all her life. She recalls her father who was editor of the ‘Wexford People’ for many years. Her family was always involved in music, and this instilled in her a great appreciation for opera. She describes the introduction of the Opera Festival to the town of Wexford through the Opera Study Circle. In 1968 she was appointed to the Festival Council. In the recording she speaks eloquently about the character of Dr Tom Walsh.



NAME: MARIE FANE, BORN 1928, WEXFORD (Part 2)Title: Irish Life and Lore Wexford Festival Opera Collection, CD 38Subject: Ephemera of the Opera FestivalRecorded by: Maurice O’KeeffeDate: 2008Time: 38:05Description: Over the years, Marie Fane collected letters, programmes, autograph books and photographs associated with the Light Opera Society, the Gramophone Society and the Opera Festival itself. In this recording, Marie describes with great enthusiasm and passion her memories of the occasion on which she acquired each item. Marie agreed to donate her collection to the Wexford Library headquarters.

NAME: JIM GOLDEN, BORN 1935, WEXFORDTitle: Irish Life and Lore Wexford Festival Opera Collection, CD 39Subject: A retired schoolteacher’s reminiscences of the Opera FestivalRecorded by: Maurice O’KeeffeDate: 2008Time: 55:36Description: A native of Kilkenny city, Jim Golden took up a position as a secondary school teacher in Wexford town in 1961. He was recorded at his house, surrounded by memorabilia associated with the opera and the Theatre Royal. His love for opera has grown since he took up residence in Wexford and he makes comparisons between the early days of the Festival and the manner in which it is run today. He participated in the Festival as a voluntary helper, but left when Dr Tom Walsh resigned in 1965. Some years later he took up a job in the box office, and became manager, and was appointed to a position on the Opera Council. He recalled many memories of the Theatre Royal, from which he retired just two years ago.



NAME: BETTY O’BRIEN, BORN 1948, WEXFORDTitle: Irish Life and Lore Wexford Festival Opera Collection, CD 40Subject: A devotee of the operaRecorded by: Maurice O’KeeffeDate: 2008Time: 45:16Description: Betty O’Brien grew up in the town of Wexford, and worked in the motor trade for 21 years, after which she joined an American company called G.M.P Europe Limited. Her passion for opera originated with her parents, who were deeply involved in classical music. Her father, John James O’Brien, had a great baritone voice and joined the Wexford Male Voice Choir. She recalls her days occupied with the making of costumes. She would sit and listen to the dress rehearsals while sewing the costumes. In 1987 she was auditioned for a part in the opera, which brought great joy to her life. At present Betty is working part time in the box office.

NAME: PAT WHELAN, BORN 1957, WEXFORDTitle: Irish Life and Lore Wexford Festival Opera Collection, CD 41Subject: The running of the Opera FestivalRecorded by: Maurice O’KeeffeDate: 2008Time: 48:04Description: ‘KC’ Whelan grew up in John Street, in view of the Theatre Royal. His introduction to the Opera Festival began as a voluntary worker, and he later helped in administration at which he subsequently took up a permanent position. It is enlightening to hear KC talk about the logistics of the Festival and it is incredible that four permanent employees – the Chairman, the Administrator, the Artistic Director and the Secretary, alone managed such a mammoth task. He concludes by talking about the effect the Festival has on the people of Wexford as a whole, and his own current position as a fireworks operator.



NAME: ANN CURTIN, BORN (1954), WEXFORDTitle: Irish Life and Lore Wexford Festival Opera Collection, CD 42Subject: An important role in the Opera FestivalRecorded by: Maurice O’KeeffeDate: 2008Time: 36:11Description: Ann Curtin, who is married to Don Curtin, is a native of Cork who arrived in Wexford in 1984, and immediately began to volunteer in bussing and transporting performers to and from Dublin airport. She also organised accommodation in houses in Wexford Town. She describes the many challenges that she encountered, such as language problems, finding suitable accommodation and keeping the performers happy. Ann was one of 250 volunteers at that time who strived to ensure that the Festival would be a success. Ann’s most memorable experience was when Scottish Opera came and worked with the Opera Festival in the 1980s, ensuring that the younger people would understand how opera works.

NAME: JOHN SHERWOOD, BORN 1929 AND NANCY SHERWOOD BORN 1930, WEXFORDTitle: Irish Life and Lore Wexford Festival Opera Collection, CD 43Subject: The early days of the Opera FestivalRecorded by: Maurice O’KeeffeDate: 2008Time: 48:22Description: In this recording both Nancy and John Sherwood speak about their backgrounds. Nancy came from a farming family while John’s father worked in the Post Office. The conversation centres around the early days of the Festival. John held the position of usher from 1951-1956. Their memories of the great nightlife enjoyed during the Festival in those days are recorded. They speak about the three cinemas in the town, which competed with each other to show the best films. Also discussed was the Hunt Ball, which took place later in the year in the town of Wexford and John’s own involvement in the pharmacy business in the town since 1959.



NAME: GEORGE BRIDGES, BORN 1921, WEXFORD (Part 1)Title: Irish Life and Lore Wexford Festival Opera Collection, CD 44Subject: Memories of Wexford during the EmergencyRecorded by: Maurice O’KeeffeDate: 2008Time: 62:02Description: George Bridges began the recording with memories of his schooldays, and his childhood amazement at the sight of shawled women coming across the bay with big bags of cockles, which would be sold on the streets of Wexford. He recalls his apprenticeship with Lipton’s shop. During the war years he joined the Rolls-Royce factory in Wolverhampton, which produced components for warplanes. Directly after the war years, he returned to Wexford to set up a toy distribution factory.

NAME: GEORGE BRIDGES, BORN 1921, WEXFORD (Part 2)Title: Irish Life and Lore Wexford Festival Opera Collection, CD 45Subject: Memories of the fringe events of the FestivalRecorded by: Maurice O’KeeffeDate: 2008Time: 54:38Description: In this recording George Bridges talks about his involvement with window display competitions during the Festival. He was successful on many occasions and won First Prize. He speaks about the townspeople being involved together in promoting and working on many aspects of the fringe events, which he feels is the reason why the Wexford Festival is such a great success. He joined the Boy Scouts in 1933 and is involved with the Wexford Boy Scouts right up to the present day.



NAME: TOM CLEARY, BORN 1920, WEXFORDTitle: Irish Life and Lore Wexford Festival Opera Collection, CD 46Subject: Recorded by: Maurice O’KeeffeDate: 2008Time: 48:37Description: Tom Cleary grew up in a family of eleven in a house opposite the Theatre Royal. All his brothers and sisters, and himself and his mother, were involved in the Light Operas down through the years. He himself worked as a truck driver for a coal merchant in the town. His father and two of his brothers worked on the lightships and Tom recalls their work practices, and their survival for many weeks on these ships. He has fond memories of the actors in performances of ‘Joan of Arc’ and ‘Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs’.

NAME: JURGEN SASSMANNSHAUSEN, BORN 1929 AND HELGA SASSMANNSHAUSEN, BORN 1938, WEXFORDTitle: Irish Life and Lore Wexford Festival Opera Collection, CD 47Subject: An outsider’s perspectiveRecorded by: Maurice O’KeeffeDate: 2008Time: 52:25Description: This recording begins with memories of the years of the Second World War in Berlin, where Jurgen Sassmannshausen was brought up. He and Helga married in 1964 and came to Wexford in 1971 to set up a home and business, and Jurgen provides the reasons why they chose Wexford as the location for their factory which produced miniature light bulbs. He describes how they became integrated into the Wexford community. They employed up to 60 people in the factory and they recall their terrible disappointment when in 1986 they had to close the factory and make all these people redundant. It is interesting to hear the couple comment on professionalism creeping into the Festival over the years – an example of this is the fact that the local chorus has now turned professional.



NAME: NOREEN BUTLER, BORN 1929, WEXFORDTitle: Irish Life and Lore Wexford Festival Opera Collection, CD 48Subject: A hockey player’s memoriesRecorded by: Maurice O’KeeffeDate: 2008Time: 48:02Description: A native of Waterford, Noreen Butler was a champion hockey player and she speaks in great detail about her hockey career, during which she played on the Irish team in Australia. She married Frank Butler and arrived in Wexford Town in 1957. She recalls her fond memories of attending all the operas since the very beginning, and her husband’s involvement with them. He worked as an accountant with Stafford’s Company, and sat on many committees. She quickly sensed the community spirit in the town and was very easily accepted. She recalls entertaining the VIPs when they arrived for the Festival, and performed this pleasant duty according to Dr Tom Walsh’s wishes.

NAME: MICHAEL NOLAN, BORN 1922, WEXFORD (Part 1)Title: Irish Life and Lore Wexford Festival Opera Collection, CD 49Subject: A local historian recallsRecorded by: Maurice O’KeeffeDate: 2008Time: 62:40Description: Michael Nolan grew up in George Street and he recalls his ancestors over many generations. He discusses political life in the country since the forming of the Free State, and how it affected the population of Wexford. He himself worked in bookkeeping and accounts in Dublin from 1940 to 1966, and gave a great account of dairying in the country, gained from his experiences with the Dairy Disposal Company. He always ensures that he is in Wexford for the period of the Festival Opera.



NAME: MICHAEL NOLAN, BORN 1922, WEXFORD (Part 2)Title: Irish Life and Lore Wexford Festival Opera Collection, CD 50Subject: A musical familyRecorded by: Maurice O’KeeffeDate: 2008Time: 49:55Description: Michael Nolan describes his strong musical background and he has happy memories of a teacher of music, Mrs Murphy, who would call to their home to teach traditional Irish music and dancing. In this recording, the town of Wexford is the main focus. Recalled are surnames, placenames, the Anglo-Irish people in the locality, the big employers and the many changes which have occurred in the town in his lifetime. This recording provides an amazing amount of historical information associated with the town of Wexford over the last century.

NAME: DR TOM WALSH, BORN 1911, WEXFORD (Part 1)Title: Irish Life and Lore Wexford Festival Opera Collection, CD 51Subject: The instigatorsDate: 1950s – 1980sTime: 66:51Description: This is a compilation of interviews recorded. The first clip was recorded by Dr Tom Walsh when the first Wexford Festival Opera was announced. In the second clip, Tom Walsh’s sister Nellie Walsh speaks about the professional approach relating to performance. The third clip is a talk by Dr Tom Walsh about his young life, and his introduction to the opera, and his singing lessons. On the same clip, Tom Walsh mentions the difficulties of getting money to start the Festival. The next clip is a recording made with Eithne Scallan, who talks about assisting Dr Tom Walsh when she came from Dublin in 1961. Next, Jim Golden speaks about Dr Tom Walsh’s ability to get people motivated to work hard at making the Festival a success. Sean Scallan speaks about the reasons for Dr Walsh’s abrupt retirement in 1966. Nicky Cleary recalls his opera memories. Dr Walsh’s stepdaughter, Victoria, remembers her step-father with fondness, and Angus Lee, surgeon, recalls his colleague. The above are extracts from recordings compiled by R.T.E in the 1980s.



NAME: DR TOM WALSH, BORN 1911, WEXFORD (Part 1)Title: Irish Life and Lore Wexford Festival Opera Collection, CD 52Subject: Some recollections of Wexford Festival OperaRecorded by: Wexford Rotary ClubDate: 1986Time: 62:09Description: This is a recording of Dr. Tom Walsh, the first Artistic Director of the Festival Opera, addressing the Rotarians of Wexford Town. The presentation features many operatic pieces performed at the Festival Opera down through the years.

NAME: DR TOM WALSH, BORN 1911, WEXFORD (Part 2)Title: Irish Life and Lore Wexford Festival Opera Collection, CD 53Subject: Some recollections of Wexford Opera FestivalRecorded by: Wexford Rotary ClubDate: 1986Time: 25:33Description: This recording is a continuation of a presentation to Wexford Rotarians in which Dr Tom Walsh recounts the years of the Festival Opera chronologically. He was an honorary member of Rotary, an honour bestowed upon him for his outstanding contribution to the Festival Opera in Wexford.

NAME: DR TOM WALSH, BORN 1911, WEXFORDTitle: Irish Life and Lore Wexford Festival Opera Collection, CD 54Subject: The history of the Festival OperaRecorded by: Brian BoydellDate: 1976Time: 18:17Description: This unedited recording, made with Dr Tom Walsh in 1976, is outstanding in its clarity and content, and gives an historical account of the conception of the Festival Opera.



NAME: DR TOM WALSH, BORN 1911, WEXFORDTitle: Irish Life and Lore Wexford Festival Opera Collection, CD 55Subject: A dedicationRecorded by: CompilationDate: 1980sTime: 33:01Description: This recording is a compilation of recollections, recorded a year after the death of Dr Tom Walsh. Many of the interviews are made with family, friends and colleagues in the medical profession, including chronologically Nicky Cleary, Angus Lee, Victoria Walsh, Dr Tom Walsh, Eithne Scallan, tenor Ugo Benelli, Dr Tom Walsh and Jerry Moriarty. The interviews were compiled by Radio Éireann in the 1980s.

Gratitude is expressed to Jimmy and Sylvia O’Connor for their kind permission to use the six Dr Tom Walsh recordings in the ‘Irish Life and Lore’ Series of audio recordings. These recordings were broadcast on Radio Éireann in the 1980s

NAME: FR. RORY O`LEARY, DES CORISH, EILEEN CORISH AND KATIE CORISH, WEXFORDTitle: Irish Life and Lore Wexford Festival Opera Collection, CD 56Subject: Recollections of 20th Century WexfordRecorded by: Des CorishDate: 1982Time:62:19Description: This recording was compiled by Des Corish, as the gathering relaxed after dining, and reminisced about the lives and times of the people of Wexford. Fr Rory O`Leary of the Franciscan Order joined in the conversation.



NAME: KATIE CORISH, BORN 1888, WEXFORDTitle: Irish Life and Lore Wexford Festival Opera Collection, CD 57Subject: A family historyRecorded by: Helen CorishDate: 1986Time: 57:27Description: This interview was recorded on Katie Corish’s 90th birthday by her grand-daughter Helen, who adopted a chronological approach to the interview, recording her grandmother’s family background, her school days, her marriage to Dick Corish, the 1911 lockout, the 1916 Rising and other historical events. In this recording is Katie’s involvement with the Wexford Light Opera Society.

NAME: DES CORISH, BORN 1925, MOLLIE CORISH, BRENDAN HICKEY, AND MARY HICKEY, WEXFORDTitle: Irish Life and Lore Wexford Festival Opera Collection, CD 58Subject: In conversationRecorded by: Helen CorishDate: 2000Time: 47:43Description: This recording was compiled in a relaxed conversational manner, tracing family histories and recalling the town of Wexford down through the decades.

NAME: DES CORISH, BORN 1925, WEXFORD (Part 1)Title: Irish Life and Lore Wexford Festival Opera Collection, CD 59Subject: A family historyRecorded by: Dominic KiernanDate: 1990sTime: 70:58Description: In this first recording made by Dominic Kiernan, Des Corish talks about the period from 1911-1920 and his father’s involvement in the Trade Union movement in Wexford Town, his subsequent arrest in 1916, and the conditions created by the Troubles in Wexford during that turbulent time.



NAME: DES CORISH, BORN 1925, WEXFORD (Part 2)Title: Irish Life and Lore Wexford Festival Opera Collection, CD 60Subject: A family historyRecorded by: Dominic KiernanDate: 1990sTime: 78:06Description: In this second recording made by Dominic Kiernan, Des Corish continues to chronicle events in Wexford from 1920 to 1945, providing an in-depth study of the Transport Union and local and national politics during that period.

NAME: DES CORISH, BORN 1925, WEXFORD (Part 1)Title: Irish Life and Lore Wexford Festival Opera Collection, CD 61Subject: The Wexford Gramophone SocietyRecorded by: Des CorishDate: 1996Time: 73:40Description: This is part one of a two-part recital given by Des Corish. In the introduction, Des gives a history of the Operatic Society, as it was known when it was formed in 1911. He continues by playing excerpts from recordings of pieces performed in the Theatre Royal in Wexford down through the years.

NAME: DES CORISH, BORN 1925, WEXFORD (Part 2)Title: Irish Life and Lore Wexford Festival Opera Collection, CD 62Subject: The Wexford Gramophone SocietyRecorded by: Des CorishDate: 1996Time: 65:58Description: This recording forms Part Two of a recital given by Des Corish on 14th November 1996.

Gratitude is expressed to the Corish family for their kind permission to include these recordings in the ‘Irish Life and Lore’ series of audio recordings.


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