~t:.lilt l=- '~li - Comhaltas Archive

(" \6",·-::J 0L ~ 111h \ nOOUT! £.61lives of great men all remind usWe can make our lives sublime,And departing, leave behind usFootprints on the sands of time.Longfel/ow, 'Psalm of /ife'It was October 1972 and we had justtouched down in Louisville, Kentuckyhaving left behind the rest of the firstComhaltas tour group in New York.Through the superb efforts of Bill McEvoy this bonus trip had beenorganised and John Joe (the Boss), Pat,and myself were been met by Sean.We would join up later with the restof the group in Chicago but now for afew short days it was family time.How proud the Boss was! Of a sonwho had been a reluctant in StMacartan's College in Monaghan andlater Rockwell College, now forgingahead with US armypromotions/citations and masterdegrees from the University of Toledo.It was very evident that his wife Mariawas steering the ship on a preset andagreed course and the trappings of aprosperous lifestyle were there toprove it.Between the good food, great musicand unreserved hospitality one nearlyforgot why we were there at all.A fewdays later we were leaving and Seanhad found those extra hidden noteson his accordion. Driving up toChicago to meet the rest of the groupfor our first concert, 'The Flax wasBlooming', 'The Stars were overMunster', 'Rakish Pat' had played with'Farrell O'Gara', on the 'Mountain Top'and the 'Music in the Glen' neversounded better. If Sean's accordionhad words instead of notes it mighthave spoken and been glad of the rest.Truly a memorable reunion of familyand music - thank you Bill.There were other milestones too!!Some years later the Boss had passedaway - The Gardiner Trio were thenplaying to a celestial audience andSean was back in Ireland for a veryspecial occasion.The Morrison Music Festival was infull swing in Riverstown, Co. Sligo andBrian O'Kanein that year - 1994 - John JoeGardiner was being honoured on hishome ground home to the greats -Coleman, Morrison, home to his longtime friends Paddy Killoran, NedKilleen. Tommie and Mickey Hunt, JoeDowd, John Egan, Peter Horan.Tommie Flynn. Paddy Mc Donagh. thelist is endless.23