Marita Kelly, PR& Marketing, has been very busy out and about rubbing shoulders with the stars!

Last week Marita caught up with Music legends Phil Coulter ahead of his Grainstore, Ballymaloe gig and spent a morning in Cork City getting the lowdown on music greats such as Willie Nelson and Johnny Cash from the very lovely Sandy Kelly.

Sandy Kelly spoke candidly in the interview about the influence Patsy Cline, passing away at the tender age of 29, has had on her career. This year, 2013, marks the 50th anniversary of the death of Patsy Cline, who remains half a century on, remains one of the leading females in Country Music history. Patsy Cline has been the dominant influence on the career of Ireland’s first lady of Country Music, Sandy Kelly. In the 90s, Sandy starred in the long running West End version of Patsy the Musical. She has toured widely with the Patsy Cline in Concert show. “I just love to sing those songs: “I fall to pieces”, “After Midnight”, “Crazy”, “Sweet Dreams” and “San Antonio Rose” that make Patsy so special.” says Sandy

Patsy Cline the 50th Anniversary Concert tour will play Ireland and the UK. Sandy Kelly makes a welcome return where she will perform in PATSY CLINE THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY CONCERT TOUR in Ireland and the UK. The Irish dates include: FRI. 15TH MARCH – THEATRE ROYAL, WATERFORD, SAT. 16TH MARCH – SET THEATRE, KILKENNY, SUN. 17TH MARCH – THE THEATRE @ THE HELIX DCU, MON. 18TH MARCH – CORK OPERA HOUSE. Tickets are on sale now.

Very few artists can say they have performed with Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, George Hamilton IV, Glen Campbell, Patsy Cline, Jett Williams (Hank William’s daughter), Randy Van Warmer, The Jordanaires, Chet Atkins and more recently Hal Ketchum to name but a few worldwide stars. Sandy Kelly can and her career continues to flourish all these years.

The most striking of interviewees has proven to be of the bovine nature – Tubridy the Calf!!! Tubridy was sold for €5500 at Dungarvan Mart for Youghal Cancer Support Group. Marita attended the mart, along with many of CRY 104fm’s staff and had a great chat with RTE’s Ryan Tubridy, Maura Derrane and Brenda O Donoughue, Horse Racing idol Davy Russell and comedy VIP Jon Kenny.

The most recent of Marita’s interviewees had been none other than Irish Rugby marvel, ex-hooker, Jerry Flannery in light of his recent trip to Tanzania to help raise funds for World Visions Survive to Five campaign. “Before I arrived in Tanzania I didn’t know what to expect but I am so glad I took this trip. The kids were brilliant. When I first arrived they were shy and quiet, wondering who this strange looking white man was but once I started to play with them they began to smile and laugh and fool around just like any group of kids in Ireland.” said the former Ireland and Munster player.
“The sad thing is though, the children I played with have less of a chance of surviving to their fifth birthday. They die from something as simple as a tummy bug because they don’t have access to clean water and because their bodies are weak from not having enough food.”
“This doesn’t have to be the case. World Vision Ireland’s Survive to Five campaign aims to give children like the ones I met in Tanzania with a chance in life by ensuring they have access to clean water and by supporting their parents to grow healthy food.”
“The people I met in Tanzania were inspiring. They don’t want a hand out, just a hand up and they use a small amount of money to change theirs and their children’s lives.”
“Kids in Tanzania are just like Irish kids. They laugh, they play, they mess around. They deserve the same chances in life. They shoudnt be allowed to die from tummy bugs. We can give them a chance to survive to and well beyond the age of five. All we have to do is try.”
Jerry also spoke about his retirement and disappointment having to retire due to injury rather than choice, the current fortunes of the current team and his thoughts on the up and coming stars of the future.

 

CRY 104fm presenter Orla O’ Riordan, also caught up with Broadcasting Legend Gay Byrne in reference to his one man show at the Grainstore, Ballymaloe. “Generally speaking when people see a poster that tells them they are going to see Christy Moore tonight at 8pm, they know what to expect, when people see Gay Byrne on a poster they are very entitled to ask, doing what?” he said jovially.

Having entertained, educated and informed the masses for the past 50 years, people will have an instant interest in seeing one of Ireland’s greatest television presenters and broadcasters performing live on stage, regardless.

Ever the diplomat, when Orla turned the tables and asked Uncle Gay his infamous question, ‘when God meets you at the pearly gates, what do you think he will say to you?’ his response was charismatic, saying he couldn’t possibly divulge such information when still heading the Meaning of Life, it would be unfair to let his guests see his view!

 

Livestock Auction Raises Over €40,000 For Cancer Support Group.
BY Christy Parker | Photo: Michael O’Connell

A charity livestock auction at Dungarvan mart has raised over €40,000 for the Youghal Cancer Support Group. The sum was reached at this month’s mart after 140 calves –and one grown heifer- were donated by farmers across east Cork and west Waterford.

On a morning saturated in generosity and good humour the total included a massive €5,500 raised through the sale of ‘a calf called Tubridy’ by the RTE personality of the same name. Organisers say the money raised brings the group “very close” to securing a premises and establishing a support and drop in centre in Youghal for cancer sufferers and dependents.

The event drew the largest crowd in the mart’s existence. Preceding the regular day’s business, the 10.30 am start saw an initial attendance of about 200 quickly double, then almost treble in size.

Assorted visitors

Variety vied with volume in defining the crowd; for dispersed amongst the regular ruddy-featured, rugged-handed farmers were the lip-glossed, hair coiffured urbanite ladies and their (relatively) urbane spouses from town. Seldom had so much pink been evident at a mart and rarely beyond a racetrack, a wedding or a funeral had town and country touched shoulders so suitably.

Speckled amongst the throng were some sporting and business high achievers, including champion jumps jockey Davy Russell and Munster rugby stars David O’Callaghan and Danny Barnes. “Are you selling horse meat?” some wit asked the top jockey. “There’s a few I wouldn’t mind bringing here!” replied the Youghal pilot. Representatives of Dawn Meats, East Cork Oil and Irish Herford Prime were also in evidence.

The names that most seduced however were behind the hammer. From the world of TV and radio came Tubridy, Brenda O’Donoghue, Maura Derrane and –locally- Noel Cronin of Community Radio Youghal. From Planet Comedy arrived ex-D’Unbelievable Jon Kenny and Bachelor in Trouble Tony Coffey. Approachable, relaxed and obliging all chatted, laughed and posed for photos either side of their auctioneering duties.

Celebrity auctioneers

Jon Kenny commenced proceedings, in one instance urging buyers to consider “this stylish calf” and inquiring of a responder whether he was “bidding or a wiping your nose?” It set the tone.

Maura Derrane employed a softer approach to draw €300 and €500 from two sales, as one veteran farmer –perhaps married!- reflected that she was “too gentle.” The RTE and TV4 news broadcaster “enjoyed every minute of it,” while paying tribute to the “excellent” assistance of mart auctioneer Ger O’Sullivan.

They don’t come much more metropolitan than RTE radio’s Brenda O’Donoghue but the deep Dublin tones flirted some fine lines as she promised a solid investment to whoever brought home Brenda, a hat and scarf bedecked calf named in her honour. “He will grow meatier, like me!” promised the broadcaster. “Kilcullen says €300,” shouted a buyer as, ironically, the animal became destined for a parish in which his namesake had once walked the grass on Celebrity Bainisteoir. “I really enjoyed that. I’d love to do it again.” remarked the radio reporter afterwards.

Comedian and farmer Tony Coffey, in his famed ‘bachelor’ attire and totally at home, raised the “steaks” considerably, cajoling and charming his audience until Willie Keane of Ardmore met a final tag of €1,000 for a pedigree Friesian heifer calf.

 

Tubridy time

Ryan Tubridy won much regard for an easy demeanour and a willingness to chat with anyone. He passed over half an hour on the premises before being called to auction his namesake -and another half hour afterwards posing for photographs with the creature and well-wishers in scenes more reminiscent of the winner’s enclosure at Cheltenham!

Relaxing over tea and sandwiches in the mart canteen, the 2FM and Late Late Show said he hoped to raise “at least €800” for his ‘offspring,’ given that “Dungarvan 6” prices would reflect a higher grade than those of Dublin 4! He also joked that he would be insisting on “regular visiting rights” to his bovine heir.

Later, as he addressed his latest live audience, the slim broadcaster said he was “double as nervous” compared to his usual anxiety prior to presenting the Late Late Show. Nonetheless he took the bull Hereford by the horns with a first ask of €500, upping it by €200 per bid, past East Cork Oil’s €2,000 and Dawn Meats €3,000, past the “€4,000 and two tickets for the Late Late Show,” mark until an amazing €5,500 was registered and accepted. The buyer was, appropriately, Ireland rugby legend John ‘the Bull’ Hayes on behalf of Dublin’s Fire restaurant, its supplier Irish Hereford Prime and Pallas Foods Newcastle West.

The Fire, adjacent to the Mansion House, sells 1,000 steaks a year but ‘young Tubs’ won’t be providing any of them. “He’ll be reared in the Midlands for two years and then re-auctioned for charity,” said Michael Cleary of Irish Hereford Prime.

As for the disenfranchised ‘dad,’ Mr Tubridy said he felt “exhilarated” by the experience. “It was like The Late Late Show meets Farm News,” he observed. “And if they ever want a fast-talking bullshi*ter, they’ve found their man!”

Thank you

As the regular mart began, Dawn Meats re-auctioned two purchases for the cause. Also CRY presenter Noel Cronin would entice €2,000 for ‘Therese,’ a black and white cow bearing the name of Youghal Cancer Support Group founder Therese O’Connell. “Don’t mention T-bone steaks to her,” urged the radio man, in deference to the four-legged Therese.

The human Therese said she was “overwhelmed” by the response and revealed that hours later cash donations and even animals for future sale were still being received. “I just want to thank everyone who donated and helped in any way most sincerely. It’s unbelievable,” she said. A day unprecedented and unique at Dungarvan mart was all that.

CRY 104FM Sportscaster Eugene Crotty talks to RTÉ’s Bill O’Herlihy about his career. The interview was first broadcast on Youghal local radio CRY 104fm on Monday 11th January 2013. Click on the arrow below to listen. Okey Dokey, We’ll leave it there so.

Bill O’Herlihy by Community Radio Youghal on Mixcloud

Wow it’s a cow for Tubridy!

A new-born calf named after Ryan Tubridy will be auctioned live on RTÉ 2fm as part of a special charity fundraiser.
Speaking to RTÉ TEN, Tubridy said: “Obviously, I’m thrilled to be a dad again. Looking at him, young Tubridy is the cut of his old man.

“All the family features are there; long face, notable ears and a constant sound coming from his large mouth.

“It’s a shame I have to farm him out but I have no doubt that his next dad will look after him and help raise money for a good cause along
Listen in to The Tubridy Show, weekdays 9 to 11am on 2fm and the auction, in aid of the Youghal Cancer Support Centre, will take place live on air from Dungarvan Mart on February 25.

Click here to listen back to Monday’s show as Tubridy makes his arrival into the world and is linked to the show, the presenter and the charity.

Source (RTÉ TEN)

It has been confirmed that Jon Kenny of D’unbelievables and Brenda Donoghue of RTE Radio,will also, along with Ryan Tubridy, be in attendance at the Livestock Charity Auction for the Youghal Cancer Support Centre in Dungarvan on the 25th Feb. We are delighted by this news and are overwhelmed by the publicity and support we are getting for this great event!

In October last year, a group got together with the intention of raising money to help purchase a premises to house Youghal’s Cancer Support Group/Centre. At a meeting of farmers that followed, a map of East Cork and then West Waterford was produced and we struggled to comprehend the size of the area and the daunting task that we had taken on. You see – we wanted to call to ALL the farmers in this large area and encourage or facilitate them to donate an animal to be auctioned at Dungarvan Mart on Feb 25 with all monies going to Youghal Cancer Support Centre.

Our Motley crew have taken to the high roads and byroads of East Cork and West Waterford this week to begin this task. Not only is the area we have taken on – large, but the request is ambitious considering the challenging year 2012 has been for farming. The Group have headed out as individuals or/and in pairs with the task of soliciting the donation of an animal or the value of one from every call. We visited Tom Browne’s farm this week to see his newly arrived calves and went on from there. Driving into farmyards between Aglish and Cappoquin, Kieran Hallahan with Rich & Noreen Fitzgearld found that people are being most generous. John Landers with help from Kevin O Connor have visited many farmers and together with Matt Hurley called to holdings in Killeagh, Castlemartyr and Mogeely and got a great response. Nickie Flavin and Carmel Landers/Murphy were greeted with enthusiasm when calling to people in the local Youghal area because many already had experience of A.R.C. house in Cork and were thrilled at the idea of having such a centre in Youghal. Willie Keane in Ardmore is travelling night and day to meet people in the large area he has taken on being helped by Liam Curran and Peter Kiely. David Quinn in Dungarvan has offered to support in any way he can. Marie O Sullivan and Patsy Fleming Clashmore have reported that when farmers felt they couldn’t offer a calf, sizable donations were given instead. Ger Trihy is meeting farmers in Piltown, Kinsalebeg and Monatrea. Anthony O Driscoll and T.J Mc Sweeney – driving forces behind the group, are covering a huge territory from Knockanore to Lismore and Ballimacoda to Cloyne. Ger O Regan has started to call to farmers in the Dungourney, Clonmult area amongst others.

As publicity reaches further afield phone calls with pledges of animals are pouring in from as far away as Kill, Co. Waterford and Watergrasshill, Cork. Anthony and his wife Tina, together with Tony Coffey of “Bachelors in Trouble” fame are also actively canvassing a celebrity or two in the hope of getting them to attend the sale and perhaps even try their hand at auctioneering.

If anyone feels they can help we will be delighted with the support and please contact any of the people below.

Anthony O Driscoll 0861744771, T.J. Mc Sweeney 0862748380, John Landers 086 8123207, Willie Keane 0872612578, Kieran Hallahan 0872549759, Patsy Fleming 0879822950, Nickie Flavin 0872206992, Matt Hurley 0868346581.

 

RNLI pays tribute to Cork volunteers at annual awards ceremony in Royal Hospital Kilmainham

The annual RNLI Ireland awards took place recently at the Royal Hospital Kilmainham in Dublin, with volunteers and supporters being recognised for their role in raising funds and awareness for the charity that saves lives at sea.  Guest of honour was RTE’s Bryan Dobson, who spoke of his admiration for the RNLI and handed out awards to forty-five volunteers.

Awardees came from all over Ireland and were recognised for their service to the RNLI through fundraising and support for the lifeboat crews at station level.  The ceremony is held annually to honour their commitment and to thank them for their tireless work and dedication to the charity.  One special award was given to the community of Inishbofin for years of support for the charity. They beat communities from all over the UK and Ireland to receive the specially commissioned bronzed RNLI Supporter Award.

Eight awards were given to volunteers from Cork branches and stations in the RNLI.

Bina and Liam Burke’s received a regional group supporter award for their work on behalf of Countmacsherry lifeboat.  The couple have formed a personal association with the station after they lost their son Aiden in a tragedy.  They never forgot the support they received from Courtmacsherry Lifeboat Station during this most difficult time. Bina and Liam live in Millstreet and over the last ten years they have organised and collected at the local church gates.  As well as raising much needed funds, they have raised the awareness of the RNLI in the community.    This has resulted in a number of other charity events taking place in the area in aid of the RNLI. Over the years, Bina and Liam have raised over €20,000 for the station but more importantly a long lasting bond of friendship has been formed between Bina and Liam and the courtmacsherry volunteers.

John Kelleher from the Leap/Glandoher/Union Branch received a Silver Badge.  John is the chairperson for the branch and under his guidance and leadership the branch hold a calendar of events including church gate collections and flag days.  In particular, John has been a huge supporter of the West Cork Motorcycle Club who have been fundraising with the branch to raise money for the RNLI.

Noreen Lannin from Crosshaven Branch received a Silver Badge.  Noreen is the box secretary and assistant treasurer for Crosshaven.  Over the years Noreen has made endless trips to empty boxes in both Crosshaven and Cork City.  Noreen takes great pride in her role and is always on hand to help with flag days and the annual coffee morning.  She also takes particular pride in running the souvenir stall.

Fiona Flynn from Ballycotton Branch received a Bronze badge.  Fiona is a stalwart supporter of the RNLI and in particular Ballycotton Lifeboat.  Under Fiona’s leadership the Ballycotton branch continues to achieve remarkable results and much needed funds for the lifeboats. The branch delivers a calendar of events including the annual Ballymaloe Dinner Dance, the Open Weekend, a Gold Classic and church collections.  Fiona is a loyal and reliable fundraiser who continuously goes out of her way to raise funds for Ballycotton Lifeboat.

Shirley Scandrett from Cobh Branch received a Bronze Branch.  Shirley has been a member of Cobh fundraising branch for a number of years and during this time she has progressed from box secretary to secretary of the branch.  Shirley is the driving force of the branch and is always available to help out.  Shirley oversees the annual collections including the Dunnes Stores Collection. Recently the branch led the organisation of the RNLI participation at the Titanic commemoration week at Cobh and raised over €3,000.

Kathleen Tate from Ballycotton Branch received a Certificate of Thanks.  Kathleen has been a supporter of Ballycotton RNLI for twenty years.  She works hard in supporting the August bank holiday weekend of fundraising and has raised thousands of euro for the station through raffles.

Kitty McSweeney from Courtmacsherry Branch received a Certificate of Thanks.  With the branch since its early days Kitty is always keen to help raise as much funds as possible for the lifeboats and looked after the souvenirs for the branch for a number of years while always being on hand to with the collection boxes, coffee mornings and anything else that was needed.  She was unable to attend the event.

Martha Drake from the Courtmacsherry Branch received her Gold Badge from the Duke of Gloucester in London earlier in the month.  Martha is an outstanding volunteer who has worked tirelessly over the last 30 years for the lifeboats.  Martha was appointed secretary of the branch over 20 years ago.  During this time the branch has continued to develop.  She attends all the meetings and helps out at all of the branch events.  Martha is full of enthusiasm and nothing is ever too much trouble. Martha is an incredible ambassador for the RNLI and is truly deserving of this recognition.

RNLI Irish Council member Peter Crowley presided over the awards and thanked the volunteers for their continued support.  Speaking during the ceremony he said, “This ceremony is about honouring our volunteers.  The awards that are being given are a small token of the thanks of the Institution for years of service and support to a charity that has always had at its heart one aim; to save lives at sea.  I wish to thank all the awardees for their unfailing support and dedication in continuing to raise funds and to support our volunteer crews.”

Guest of honour Bryan Dobson added, “When the worse come to the worst at sea, behind us always stands the men and women of the RNLI. There would be no lifeboats or lifeboat crews without the fundraisers and station volunteers.  You are all making a difference.”

Awardees on the day were from RNLI branches and stations throughout Ireland including Dublin, Cork, Donegal, Waterford, Wexford, Meath, Kerry, Sligo, Wicklow, Louth, Mayo, Galway and Monaghan.

Click on thumbnail to enlarge

Photo credit:  RNLI/Colin Watson
Photographs show awardee receiving their award from RTE’s Bryan Dobson at the charity’s annual awards ceremony in the Royal Hospital Dublin
Exception: Martha Drake receives her Gold Badge from the Duke of Gloucester at the RNLI’s Annual Presentation of Awards in London’s Barbican Theatre

28 May 2012

THE LIFEBOAT SERVICE IN IRELAND is a charitable organisation offering a free rescue service, any time of the day or night, to anyone who runs into difficulty at sea.  They depend on volunteers to crew their boats, help raise awareness of the free service they offer and to organise fundraising events to support their efforts.  Each year the RNLI hold an awards ceremony in the Royal Hospital in Kilmainham in Dublin as an appreciation of their efforts.

On Saturday, 19 May 2012, Brian Dobson of RTE presented the awards to this year’s recipients.  Members of the Ballycotton lifeboat fundraising committee travelled to Dublin to see their Chairman, Ms. Fiona Flynn, being presented with a bronze badge at this year’s ceremony.  Fiona has headed this energetic committee for many years and is ready to fall in wherever and whenever she is needed.  She can be seen anywhere on Ballycotton pier on the August bank holiday Sunday afternoon, one of their main fundraising events.  Leading up to the weekend Fiona’s house is home to a collection of books, bric a brac, cakes etc, all to be moved to the pier on the Sunday afternoon for sale.
Fiona has given many speeches during her tenure as chairman of this fundraising committee welcoming many guests and thanking many sponsors and supporters.  On Saturday last she was happy to leave the speeches to others and accept a bronze badge from Brian Dobson in recognition of her years as a volunteer for the RNLI.  Members of the Ballycotton lifeboat fundraising committee offered her their congratulations and look forward to seeing her wear the badge at their future fundraising events.

A great congratulations to Brideview Drama for their latest production, of Geraldine Aron’s ‘Same Old Moon’, directed by Jack Aherne, which started last weekend. On again the end of next week (Friday and Saturday, 24 and 25 February), the show went off with a bang – especially as the first night was filmed in its entirety by Power Pictures Galway for RTE television.

The cast and crew really enjoyed doing the show and being part of this forthcoming RTE ‘Fly On The Wall’ documentary that is currently being put together (to be screened in Autumn this year). The audiences also had great fun, being filmed walking in, watching the show, enjoying the refreshments and chatting with the cast afterwards.

Brideview Drama is getting the show ready to go on the 3-Act Circuit, an annual run of drama festivals around the country, hoping to win enough points to get to the finals at Athlone, so everyone is really welcome to come along next week and support the production. The show is full of laughs and tears and lovely moments of fun and tenderness,
and is suitable for all ages

Doors open at 7.30PM on Friday and Saturday, 24 and 25 February, and the play starts at 8.15PM. As always, there are free refreshments. There’s ample seating and please call 0879582314 if you’d like to
book.

Brideview Drama Tallow – brideviewdrama@gmail.com

Tuesday 21st – Saturday 25th February @ 8pm.
TrueWest Theatre present ‘Mary Motorhead’ by Mark O’Halloran. Directed by Rae Visser.

After it’s sold-out and critically acclaimed run at Bewleys Café Theatre in Dublin, Galway based theatre company ‘TrueWest’ are delighted to present ‘Mary Motorhead’ by the award-winning writer Mark O’Halloran (Garage, Adam and Paul), starring Cora Fenton.

Using specially commissioned film, sound and music alongside Mark’s wonderfully poetic script and a passionate and studied performance from Cora Fenton, ‘Mary Motorhead’ will captivate and entertain its audience.

Mary ‘Motorhead’ is in prison. She lies on her bed reading, while scenes of the outdoor world as seen from the window of a car are projected onto the wall behind her. She is doing six years for stabbing her husband, Red, in the head with a knife.

History is invention, she tells us, a story made up based on sometimes scant knowledge of the available facts. Each of us has a known history and a secret one. The secret history, she explains, is what really happened – what was going on inside – something that regular history, or reportage, or maybe representation, can never really know. So, Mary invites us to hear her secret history, and in hearing it, we might understand why she stabbed her husband in the head.

“Delivered with precision and conviction by Cora Fenton” – Harvey O Kane, Irish Theatre Magazine.

“Mary Motorhead is a solidly observed tragic-comic monologue performed well and telling a good, realist story” – Harvey O Kane, ITM.

“This play nourished my soul” – Kevin McAleer, The View, RTE

“What about Cora Fenton? Wow!” – John Kelly, The View, RTE.

Ticket Prices: €12, Conc. €10

The Lost Brothers perform “Christmas Must Be Tonight” by ‘The Band’ on The John Murray Show Christmas Special, ‘A Very Murray Christmas’ live on RTÉ Radio 1.