that was to follow. He also thanked "Aileach" for kindly putting their public address system at the disposal of the Craobh for the night. Mr MacCaba's presidential address was warmly received. He said that it was sad to relate the death of one of Ulster's fmest traditional singers - J oe Holmes, who had died the previous night. He was shocked and saddened by the suddeness of Joe's death, an Ulster Presbyterian who crossed the sectarian barrier and through his music, wit, song and lilting brought pleasure to the many people who had the privilege of knowing and hearing him. As was the tradition on such sad occasions he requested Jim McKillop a fellow country-man and close friend of Joe's, to play a lament in his honour. Both the President and Craobh Chairman paid a warm tribute to Dinny McLaughlin who was "fear a' ti" for the night. Dinny has done more than most to promote both traditional music and dance in Buncrana and, indeed, all ove: Donegal and Derry. Craobh na hInse are very fortunate in having him as their guiding light. On Tuesday, January 10 a half-hour feature entitled "Craobh na hInse" was presented on Radio na Gaeltachta by Timlin 0 Cearnaigh, where he traced the history and habits of Inishowen people in general and especially the history of traditional music. Clement MacSuibhne and Seamus J McBride were the people interviewed and the music was that recorded at the Siamsa in Ballyliffm. JAMES McBRIDE, a member of Ceoltoiri Craobh na hlnse, playing in Ba11yliffin. MAIREAD NI MHAONAIGH as Gaoth Dobhair ag seinm ceoil ag Dinnear Blian tuil Craobh na hlnse. A GIANT OF A MAN Murt Curran had the bushiest eyebrows, the biggest feet and was the tallest man I had ever seen. That was when I was a toddler up in Mohill, Co. Leitrim, and he was my Irish dancing teacher. I can recall my first lesson with him. I watched in amazement as this giant of a man flitted over the floor of the L.D.F. hall introducing Mohillites to the intricacies of the one-two-three-four-five-sixseven movement. I met the man again recently - for the first time in more than thirty-five years. The pe~spettive had changed. He didn't look as tall, the feet had shrunk and the eyebrows looked normal. We stood shoulder to shoulder. Anything he taught me in those War days back in Mohill is long forgotten. But Murt still dances - at seventy six years of age . Murt has penned his memories in a book he calls "Memories Linger On." It's about his youth in Carlow, his days in the IRA, the sweet cakes he shared with Gregory Ashe while in Tintown, and, most of all, his dancing years. And he recalls these years in Leitrim, where he went to culturalise the natives at the request of Father Peter Confrey, parish priest of Pat Quinn's Cloone, JIM McKILLOP from Antrim playing at Craobh na hlnse Dinnear agus Siamsa. where "The Salmon Leap" and the "Corkscrew Step" were among the better known dances. He also recalls his visits to Kerry and his meetings with the late Liam Tarrant, and the All-Ireland Fleadhs in Listowel. "Memories Linger On," may not sparkle as a work of literature. But it touches strings of nostalgia and talks about people who shared our yesterday with us. There must be people around who would like to thumb through its pages. The book doesn't give any address for Murt Curran. But <strong>Comhaltas</strong> is certain to have a line on him. They can be contacted if readers are interested in getting a copy of the book. - Seam us McConville, "Kerryman". 13
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