Co. Kildare Online Electronic History Journal
'Home' Walk 29th January 2011
by JAMES DURNEY
On Friday 28 January Luka Bloom played to a sell-out crowd at Ryston
Social Club, which kicked off a weekend of related activity organised by
Mary Linihan and Noel Heavey. On Saturday morning at 11.00 members
of the Moore family, friends and fans of Luka Bloom – some who had
travelled from all parts of the globe – and local residents congregated at
St. Patrick’s Church for a short session, which included Brigid’s blessing,
a poetry reading by Julie Duane, and songs by Paul McCormack, before
heading off on a Moore family related walk of Newbridge. Tour guides
James Durney and Mario Corrigan, of County Kildare Library and Arts
Services, ably assisted by local historians Colm Feeney and Damien
Molyneux, brought over 100 people, in two groups, on a tour of the town’s
historical sights. First stop was at Gandogue Lane, where a turnpike road
existed as part of the old stagecoach road which continued on by S
tandhouse Road and on to Milltown.
The next stop was at the ‘Chicken America’ building, which was a
national school up until the 1960s, while the building beside it was
once the Moorefield GAA clubhouse. It was also here where Con Sullivan
taught the Moores, and many others, elocution lessons. The two groups
then went to the rear of the old family home at No. 3 Moorefield Terrace,
where there was a reading from Lauri Murray’s book, Newbridge.
The town I love so well, and some reminiscing by Andy Moore and
Noel Heavey, and a song by Anne Moore. The two groups headed
down Henry Street, stopping at Sheehan’s, Limerick Lane; Charlotte
House, birthplace of Kathleen Lonsdale, nee Yardley, the world famous
crystallographer; Market Square, where more music was provided;
and the Masonic Hall, before converging on the old garrison church,
where Liam Kett gave a musical history of the building which was
at one time the town hall and where such luminaries as Phil Lynott
and Gary Moore played. Here musician Pud Barrett gave a rendition
of ‘Whiskey in the Jar.’
A walk through the old barracks followed until the groups exited
at the watering gates and made their way along the scenic route up
to the St. Conleth’s Bridge amidst musical and drama entertainment.
The much-enjoyed walk ended with Mario Corrigan mentioning that
the Library and bridge this year celebrates its 75th anniversary and
pointing out the late Nancy Moore’s dedicated community service
and connections with Newbridge Library.
A Moore-family related historical walk of Newbridge to celebrate
Luka Bloom's 'Home' concert in Ryston.
www.kildare.ie/library/ehistory/2011/01/home_walk_29th_january_2011.asp
Review by CHRISTY MOORE
Friday, January 28th
Back to the home town, Newbridge on the banks of the river Liffey where
we were born and reared by our parents Andy Moore of Barronstown,
Miltown and Nancy Power of Yellow Furze, Co. Meath.
The occasion was
a gig by our youngest brother Luka Bloom who started playing guitar and
singing when he was 12 and has not stopped ever since. It was a great night.
The Ryston Hall was set up beautifully and dressed in curtains and drapes.
There were sculptures of bog oak which were beautifully positioned and lit,
the gig was carefully set up by Noel Heavey, Gabrielle Brabazon and Mary
Linehan, ably assisted by a host of volunteers from The Culture Factory
and The Crooked Wood Theatre group.
I have been listening to Luka sing for over 40 years and this gig crowned it all.
It was a very special night for our family and our "kid" brother really shone.
Special songs included "Outlaw Days" from his first album Treaty Stone,
a new song "Backbone and Dignity", his tribute to our old pal Gerry Rafferty
(he sang "Her father didn't like me anyway" which Luka used to perform
with Aes Triplex circa 1972)...
then to top it off Kildare won the O'Byrne Cup on Sunday....Lily Whites Abu.
Read Christy Moore's complete January - February Chat HERE »
