It was a weekend dominated by a profusion of music, mayhem and controversy.

The controversy was caused when the public voted in overwhelming numbers to send Dustin off to represent Ireland at the Eurovision Song Contest. “Irlande Douze Points” is being quoted at 5/1 by Paddy Power to win this prestigious event, and Dana is already turning in her grave. (although she is still very much alive.)

Nobody can ever again accuse us of taking ourselves too seriously. First Donna and Joseph – and now another turkey! And remember that Podge and Rodge are still waiting in the wings. Europe will not know what has hit them.

The Ballad of Ronnie Drew was unveiled on the Late Late Show on Friday night. Written by Robert Hunter of Grateful Dead fame with Bono, The Edge and Simon Carmody, the song was performed by U2, Sinead O’Connor, Christy Moore, Andrea Corr, Moya Brennan, Shane McGowan, Bob Geldof, Damien Dempsey, Gavin Friday, Jerry Fish, Paul Brady, Paddy Casey, Mundy, Chris de Burgh, Ronan Keating, Jack L, Eleanor Shanley and virtually every other artist who ever performed before an audience in Ireland. (but why no Daniel O’Donnell?) The song is a charity release with all proceeds going to Cancer Research. It has received a certain amount of criticism but grows on you after a while. It is destined for the number one spot and will probably be played incessantly on the radio and at local discos and may soon become a national anthem. We send our best wishes to Ronnie Drew.

Glen Hansard was also very much involved in the composition of The Ballad Of Ronnie Drew, but he could not perform on the Late Late Show as he was otherwise engaged.

Glen was over in Hollywood with his partner, Marketa Irglova, where they received an Oscar for another composition, Falling Slowly, the signature tune from the low budget film, “Lost”. We haven’t seen the film around here yet, as most of us don’t go to the pictures very much since Tobin’s Cinema closed. However, the film revolves around an Irish singer-songwriter performing on the streets of Dublin. He befriends a young Czech immigrant who is selling flowers to support her mother and child and the pair begin a musical and emotional odyssey. Hopefully, it will be out on DVD shortly.

Well done to both of them and also to adopted Irishman, Daniel Day Lewis, who won Best Actor.

And while all of this was going on, Donal Murphy & Friends were down at The Grove on Saturday night, giving it a lash in aid of under-age rugby.

If there is a more talented group of traditional musicians and singers anywhere in Ireland, or indeed the world, then I have yet to hear them. Hansard is good, Ronnie Drew & Co. are first-rate, Dustin is …. well …. a turkey, but these lads would leave them all standing.

We had jigs, reels, blues, jazz, pop, classical, bluegrass, ballads, country, etc. during an unforgettable night of the finest of music, song and dance – and they make it all look so easy.

Among the musicians taking part on Saturday night were; Cathal Hayden (Tyrone), Seamie O’Dowd (Sligo) Sean Harnett (Tournafulla), Catherine Curtin, Goretta Curtin and Ann Marie Fitzgerald (Brosna), Eilish Murphy, Donal Murphy, Natasha Sheehy and Dan Murphy (Abbeyfeale)

Sharon Shannon and Band are due in Abbeyfeale over the May Bank Holiday Weekend. Sharon had better look to her laurels because these guys could prove a hard act to follow!

ST PATRICK’S DAY PARADE

This year’s St Patrick’s Day Parade will take place on Monday 17^th March, starting at the convent at 4pm and proceeding to The Square. We hope that as many individual floats as possible will take part, and a prize will be awarded for the most original and best prepared float in the parade. We would ask companies intending to exhibit trucks in the parade, to limit their participation to just one or two trucks per company. Participants are also reminded that they are responsible for extending the insurance of their own particular vehicles and will be required to sign an agreement to that effect before being permitted to join the parade. Most insurance companies will extend cover at no extra cost. It is proposed to organize a shop window display to compliment the parade, and a prize will be awarded for the best and most creative window.

To help defray the costs of the parade, a Church gate collection will take place before Masses on Saturday 8^th and Sunday 9^th March and your support would be appreciated.

Check The Weekly Observer each week for further details, or contact any of the following; Cllr Francis Foley (087-6391305) Cllr Liam Galvin (087-9850435 Michael O’Kelly (086-2223572) Sean Broderick (068-31213) Kathleen Collins (087-6253154) John O’Sullivan (068-31898) Raymond Fennelly (087-6444974)

With your help and support we hope to make this year’s St Patrick’s Day Parade in Abbeyfeale bigger and better than ever!

DRAMA:

Abbeyfeale Drama Group’s production of “The Field” continues at the local GAA clubhouse on 1^st, 2^nd 4^th 6^th and 8^th March. The curtain goes up at 8pm each night.

FUNDRAISER;

As already mentioned, the Abbeyfeale RFC annual fundraising night for under-age rugby was held in The Grove last Saturday night and was well attended. The organizers would like to thank everyone who supported the event and also the many traditional musicians who performed so memorably on the night. These included; Cathal Hayden (Tyrone), Seamie O’Dowd (Sligo), Sean Harnett (Tournafulla), Catherine Curtin, Goretta Curtin and Anne Marie Fitzgerald (Brosna), Eilis Murphy, Donal Murphy, Natasha Sheehy and Dan Murphy (Abbeyfeale).

FLEADH;

Arrangements are now well in hand for this year’s Fleadh by the Feale. The headline act for this year’s Celebrity Concert on Sunday 4^th May in the Convent Hall features the well-known Sharon Shannon and her Band. Sharon has won many awards nationally and internationally for her exciting style of traditional music, and was recently listed in the 2008 Meteor award winners. Tickets will be on sale from Friday next and it is advisable to purchase them early to avoid disappointment. Contact Maureen Murphy 086-3265762, Dearbhla Condon Ahern 087-6874035, John O’Sullivan 086-3165848, Celine McNally 087-7697672, Slice of Life, and Abbey stone & Tile Centre.

RUGBY;

Abbeyfeale defeated Muskerry 29-20 in a league match at The Grove on Sunday.