Story behind songs performed at Martin Quinn’s recent book launch
At the launch of my book ‘Tipperary Talks’ recently, some of the students from St. Ailbe’s School participated on the two songs that were performed on the night.
The songs were, ‘The Tipperary Waltz’ and ‘The Valley of Sweet Aherlow’.
‘The Tipperary Waltz’ was composed by Patrick Bergin. Bergin is an Irish actor and accomplished musician and singer, perhaps best known for his leading role opposite Julia Roberts in ‘Sleeping with the Enemy’.
His father often spoke about meeting Dan Breen and asking him what it was like to kill a man. That is what prompted Bergin to include Dan Breen in the words of song. Patrick Bergin and Simon Casey performed the song in Tipperary Town for the Tipperary International Peace Award presentation to the former President of Colombia, Juan Manuel Santos.
‘The Valley of Sweet Aherlow’ was written by Fr. Patrick Coughlan. Born in Bansha in 1918, it could be said that he never left his native place in that he sang of Tipperary no matter where he went. He came as a boarder to Rockwell College and entered Kilshane in 1936 and was subsequently ordained in 1946.
During his years in the scholastic, he received professional tuition in painting, and the walls were soon embellished with his murals and canvases. He also tried his hand at songwriting and had one of his compositions shortlisted for the National Song Contest in 1972. His song titled ‘Bualadh bos’ reached the final and was performed by The Farrells. Sandie Jones, singing ‘Ceol and Ghrá’, was the winner of the contest.
Fr. Paddy submitted a number of compositions to artists, with Larry Cunningham recording one of his songs. He wrote the song ‘The Valley of Sweet Aherlow’, which was recorded by Kathleen Fitzgerald. He was very musical and his violin was never far from his reach, as his confreres living beside him could attest. He died on 24th October 1977, aged 59 years. He was buried in Kimmage.
I was delighted to have the St. Ailbe’s students join with me in performing the songs on the night and I want to thank the students and particularly Ms. Siobhán Hall for her great assistance. I made a small presentation to Ms. Hall and to the students (as per the attached photo) in appreciation of their involvement.
My book ‘Tipperary Talks’ is available in the following outlets so far; Joe Whelan’s Store Tipperary Town, O’Connell’s Shop Bansha, Moroney’s Bar and Grocery Lisvernane and Bookwork Bookshop Thurles