Love of Ennis music inspires latest book by Byrnes

WITH a love for music that goes back to his childhood, it’s little surprise that Ennis author Ollie Byrnes has decided to write a book on the subject. Ollie is currently working on his latest publication ‘Music in Ennis’, examining the history of music in the county capital from 1950 onwards.

Already he has amassed a wealth of information for the book including nearly 300 high quality photographs. Speaking to us about the planned publication he outlines, “For many years the writing of a book on music has been on my mind but I could not think of an angle, something that had not been done. Then a friend said “why not write a book on the Ennis scene, taking in all musical styles”?

Recalling where his love of music began he says, “As a child, I heard the finest of Irish traditional music played live in my parent’s living room on the Gort Road, just off Marian Avenue. The programmes broadcast by Ciarán McMathúna were a big influence and my mother Bridie also tuned into Jimmy Young and Pete Murray on Radio Luxembourg. So from a very young age I was exposed to great singers like Jo Stafford, Jimmy Rodgers (Snow) and a little later, Burl Ives and the Everly Brothers.

“As an aside, Burl Ives – who was a font of songs – performed the official opening of the Poet’s Corner at the Old Ground Hotel. On the occasion, he was accompanied by Bunratty Singers, Eve Belton and Una Kelly, this in November 1965.”

His parents had a large collection of records, mostly sean-nós as well as the classic Paddy Canny and P Joe Hayes recording from 1959.

“I love the sound of all those sean-nós singers on Gael Linn.” He continues, “Skiffle was still popular and a lot of people could relate to it because it came from folk and blues. On a local level, our door was always open and musicians like JC Talty, Paddy Murphy, Peter O’Loughlin and Tom Eustace would drop in. I think the biggest influence was when Sean Reid asked my mother, if Comhaltas could use our front room for meetings and sessions, which were held fortnightly from 1958 until 1964, when Comhaltas moved to the Queens Hotel as the organisation had grown.

“Naturally my brother Paul, my sister Mary and I were in bed, but the music seeped in. I remember Martin Byrnes a great fiddle player from Ballinasloe, coming in late one night with my father Martin Byrnes (Clooney) and they said a decade of the rosary for a musician friend who had passed away that night – it’s a lovely memory.”

He has been working on the publication for a number of years, with Leo Mannion assisting recently with IT and editing. “It’s helpful to have a second opinion,” he says.

To date, about three quarters of the book is written. “Originally I hoped to go to print by this summer, but the more that is written the more I find needs to be written. And the more people I interview lead to more stories, more facts.

“Having received publicity, mostly from the Clare Champion, people have come to me with memories and with photographs. I now have nearly 300 top quality photos, most of which have never been seen before.”

As well as the bands and the musicians of the Ennis music scene, the book will also cover the venues and the festivals. There will be a special emphasis on Paddy Con’s New Hall, as well as interviews with the likes of Brendan Bowyer, Eileen Reid and John Keogh, amongst many others.

“I recently had the pleasure of several delightful meetings with Irene Richards, daughter of Freddie Cronin, one of those who led the way. She was able to give me a wonderful window into the past, from her earliest memories in Garraunakilla. Most locals would say that Maura O’Connell was the most famous musical export from that area, and will be surprised to learn that Anita Cronin might vie for that title. Anita was a child prodigy singer and multi-instrumentalist who went on to International success with many big bands, including the Ivy Benson All Girl Band Show.”

He is continuing to work on the book, admitting that funding for its publication is “a big challenge” and he is hoping some generous sponsors may come on board.

“I want it to be similar in standard to Around the Square, my book on Ennis Hurling which was published 20 years ago. To this end, I am appealing for corporate or personal donations,” he says.

Anybody who has any information or who would like to get involved in supporting the publication of the book can contact olliebynes2hotmail.com.