In 1962, at the height of the showband era, a group of intrepid musicians from Abbeyfeale and surrounding parishes came together and decided to form a band.
They called their new band “The Western Star” and among the founder members were Patie Enright, Timmy O’Keeffe, Mick Barrett, Moss Harnett, Moss O’Connor, Eddie O’Connor and Dick Prendiville.
They say that a good drummer is the heartbeat of any band. And in Dickeen Prendiville they had a percussionist who had played with the best of them.
Dickeen made his debute in the hall in Ballylongford in September 1946, playing with Moss Harnett, John Joe and Peter O’Connor and Tom O’Donnell.
He graduated to Tom Tobin’s Hall in 1947 and played with a group that included Chris O’Connor, Paddy (The Tugger) Collins, Joe Whyte and Moss Harnett. He also performed at various venues throughout the locality with such noted players as Darkie Devine, Bill McGaley, Tommy Watson, Micky Houligan, Sonny O’Mahoney, Dan Canty, Frankie Dennison, Jimmy and Tess Finnegan and Frank and Florry Harnett.
The Western Star joined the showband circuit in late 1962 and quickly built up a good reputation and a large following. They played all over Limerick, Cork and Kerry and were soon very much in demand for carnivals, marquees, weekend dances and other social functions.
They had a regular booking in the Abbey Ballroom in Abbeyfeale. The place was more affectionately known to the locals as Tom Tobin’s Hall and was run by the legendary Tom Tobin himself.
Tom was almost as famous in the dancehall and matchmaking business as his near-neighbour and fellow-impresario, the iconic Dan Paddy Andy, who owned Renegown dancehall, immortalized in song and story by the late John B Keane.
Tom booked all the best bands and brought them to Abbeyfeale. They included The Capitol, The Drifters, The Conquerors, Maurice Mulcahy, Philomena Begley, The Champions, etc.
The Western Star were usually booked for a Sunday night. Payment was cash-in-hand. The fee was negotiable and often depended on the attendance.
As the band assembled their equipment on stage, Tom would saunter slowly up the floor to engage in a bit of ball-hopping.
“We had Bunny Dalton here last week,” he would remark. “and he drew a fierce crowd – so he did.”
“Was he any good?”
“Fecking useless!”
Tom didn’t believe in burdening his bands with too much unnecessary praise for fear that they might look for more money. He sauntered away down the hall again leaving a nervous Western Star to ponder on just what kind of a report they themselves could expect from their musical guru at the end of the evening.
They would begin playing at around 9.30 pm and might continue without a break up until 2am. Business was slow early in the night with only a handful of patrons sitting along by the walls, and the occasional couple venturing out onto the dance floor to display their terpsichorean skills to envious onlookers.
The pubs closed just after 10 o’clock on a Sunday night and by 11 o’clock the hall would be packed. The girls sat on the far side of the dance hall completely ignoring the guys who were congregated on the near side and desperately trying to attract their attention. Between them stood no man’s land and an acre of empty dance floor that needed filling. It was time for the band to do its stuff.
Timmy Keeffe would loosen the straps on his button accordion. Dickeen would give a long roll on the drums. Moss Harnett would clear the mouthpiece on his saxophone. Patie Enright would step up to the microphone.
“Ladies and gentlemen,” he would intone, “please take your places for a Siege of Ennis!”
And with that, there would be a mad stampede across the floor and a mighty scramble for partners. And then somehow, out of all the mayhem and the chaos, lines of dancers would suddenly appear and assemble in formations, down the centre of the dance floor, ready and poised for action.
Another drum roll, a loud blast on the accordion, and the band would launch into a spirited rendition of “The Mason’s Apron” or “The Maid Behind The Bar” while the dancers pounded the boards, retreating and advancing, sidestepping and wheeling with military precision, and all in perfect timing with the music.
Bob Geldof, in a fit of petulance, once remarked that ‘showbands were crap‘, and referred to that whole showband era as ‘a musical desert’. Sir Bob probably never danced a Siege of Ennis to the Western Star in Tom Tobin’s Hall in Abbeyfeale on a Sunday night. If he had, he might have changed his tune, and might even have decided that he liked Mondays after all. People sometimes tended to overlook the fact that most of these guys were trained musicians who read sheet music and could switch effortlessly from Elvis to O’Riada to Strauss at the drop of a hat. (and very often did)
Music was normally played in a series of ‘sets’ with each set consisting of three songs. There would be a fast set of jiving, twisting, rock ‘n roll, jazz, country, etc. This would be followed by a slow set, usually containing a foxtrot, an old time waltz or a Jim Reeves classic. The end of a set would be announced with the immortal words. “That’s it for now. Your next dance, please.”
A very brief interval would follow, while the band caught its breath, and dancers who had not yet secured a permanent partner for the night (if not for life) would scan the hall for likely candidates or drown their sorrows at the mineral bar. Then the band would strike up and the whole process would start all over again.
This was the custom that was practised in virtually every dancehall up and down the country at that time.
Anyway, with the dance now in full swing, Tom Tobin once more hove into view to ‘count the bodies’ as he put it.
“There’s a crowd at the back of the hall,” he said “and they wants to know can ye play The Hucklebuck.”
“What key would they like it in?” asked Dickeen.
Tom climbed on to the stage and began the count, and Dickeen immediately increased the tempo on his drums. The band followed suit (they had little choice in the matter) and the dancers picked up speed, making it very difficult for the tallyman (Tom) to make an accurate assessment.
“Around the six hundred mark.” he finally concluded.
“More like eight hundred.” Dickeen would reply. “Count them again, Tom. You must have missed a few.”
Tom would launch a recount. Dickeen would increase the tempo even more, until the dancers were flying crazily around the floor like spinning tops, and attempting to dance an old time waltz in double-jig time. It would have easier to count the crows in a field of corn.
“We’ll split the difference.” Tom decided. “And ye can send them all home now.” he added. “They are beginning to sweat.”
The last dance was called (usually a slow waltz) and the crowd stood for the National Anthem. Then, with a final “Good Night, God Bless and Safe Home” they streamed quietly out into the cold air of early morning, while Tom slowly counted and checked the takings and paid out the wages.
“I suppose,” said Dickeen, “there is no chance of a few extra bob?”
“You are spot-on there, Dickeen.” replied Tom. “There is no chance.”
And so ended another memorable Sunday night of music, merriment, madness and mirth at Tom Tobin’s famous dancehall in Abbeyfeale.
The Beatles broke up in 1970. The Western Star played on for a few more years. However, musical trends were changing. The big dancehalls were slowly giving way to the lounge bars and the discos. And so, in 1973, after 11 years together the band finally disbanded and called it a day. The musicians went their separate ways. Most of them would continue to play, but with more modest outfits.
Dickeen’s drumming skills were still very much in demand and he played for a while with Tim Brosnan and Beilie Hillard. Then his old mate, Moss Harnett, contacted him about forming a small group to play in the local bars. They enlisted the services of Ned Foley, a fine singer from Abbeyfeale Hill and, with very little fanfare and no great expectations, Moss & The Boys were born.
They were an instant success, and the bookings flooded in. They established a permanent residency in Browne’s Bar on Sunday nights, and they also played regularly in Jack Riordan’s, Willie Rourke’s, The Railway Bar and numerous other establishments around the town and the surrounding areas.
Dickeen and Moss possessed a wealth of musical experience and in Ned Foley they had unearthed a singer of rare talent who was equally adept at singing the old ballads or the more modern material. They played a good mixture of waltzes and quicksteps and polka sets, and couples flocked to listen to them and dance to their music. These were the same couples who had once followed The Western Star and who were now married and rearing their families, but still enjoyed a good night out.
“The Boys of Barr na Sraide” was the band’s signature tune, while “Shanagolden” and “Brosna Town” were also big favourites. Seasoned dancers always maintained that nobody played for a polka set better than Moss & The Boys.
Their equipment was basic. It consisted of a couple of antique microphones, a reconditioned amplifier that needed the occasional kick-start, and a pair of battered and beer-stained speakers which were being constantly used by dancers to rest their drinks on. But, whatever the state of their gear, there was no denying the quality of the music that they produced. They understood that it was not necessary to deafen people in order to entertain them. As Paddy Cole once famously said; “In our day we could play to 2,000 people using a 200 watt amp. Now they are playing to 200 people with a 2,000 watt amp.”
“We never bothered with sound checks.” Dickeen explained. “The crowd did it for us, and if we didn’t have it right, they would soon let us know.”
“We had no idea what a backing tape was either,” he continued, “and the only time we ever mimed on stage was to let the barman know that our glasses were empty!”
In 1976, the legendary Bridie Gallagher was booked to play in Browne’s Bar. Bridie could be regarded as the Daniel O’Donnell of her day. She was a huge star back in the fifties and toured the world. She still holds the record for the biggest audience ever in the Albert Hall in London, a record that will never be equalled, as the venue is now an all-seater. She recorded numerous albums and performed regularly on radio and television. Not surprisingly, she drew a massive crowd to Abbeyfeale.
Moss & The Boys were booked to play for the first half of the night, with Bridie and her band coming on later.
At the break, Bridie approached Dickeen and told him that she was very impressed with his drumming and invited him to play backing to her band for their part of the show, and he agreed. (A few bob might even have changed hands, but Dickeen was saying nothing.)
A most enjoyable night followed. Bridie sang all of her classic hits including “A Mother’s Love Is A Blessing” and “The Boys From The County Armagh” while, at the back of the stage, Dickeen kept an impeccable beat to the music and even threw in a few drum fills of his own.
Rumour has it that, after the show, Bridie invited Dickeen to join the band which was about to embark on a comeback tour of Ireland and the UK. Dickeen declined, saying that his touring days were over and he would stay with Moss & The Boys. And anyway, his lady wife, Mary Jo, mightn’t be too impressed if she heard that her husband was gallivanting off to the bright lights of London with Bridie Gallagher. It would be the talk of the town – so it would!
Moss &The Boys played together for over four years before eventually calling the last dance in 1978. They brought immense pleasure and enjoyment to thousands of people with their music, their songs and their banter, and they are still remembered fondly to this day.
Dickeen continued playing intermittently for a few more years, first with Peter O’Connor and Willie Lacey, and later with Donal de Barra and Mossie Sullivan. He finally laid his drumsticks aside in the 1980‘s.
And so ended a rich and remarkable era of music in Abbeyfeale. We salute all of those many fine musicians who have entertainers us down through the years. They may have left the stage, but their spirit endures. The baton has now been passed to a new generation of players. It is in safe hands.
Dickeen has retired from the music-making business, but his famous drums can still be heard. They are in the proud possession of his 15-year old grandson, Darragh O’Donnell from Cahir. Darragh has competed successfully in many drum competitions and performs regularly with Donal de Barra and his group. He continues that great tradition first started by his grandfather in the hall in Ballylongford all those years ago.
The music may change – but it never really dies.
*We have posted some new pics to our PHOTO ALBUM regarding the above article. Click on PHOTOS at the top of the page. Then click on `view all`at the bottom right of the first section to view all the albums. The new pics are in DANCE HALL MEMORIES. If anyone has any old pics, send them on to us and we will publish them.

GOLF
Abbeyfeale Golfing Society jumpers are now available(sizes M/L/XL)at a very reasonable €25 each.You can purchase one by contacting 087 8355905 or emailing your name and size to abbeyfealegolfingsociety@eircom.net.
Also congrats to the following Golfing Society members on winning the 2010 Captain’s Prizes at their clubs; John Haugh (Castleisland), Mag Lane (Abbeyfeale), Neilus Murphy (Newcastlewest) Thomas O Hanlon ( Abbeyfeale). Next society outing is to Newcastlewest Golf Club on Saturday 18th September sponsored by Jack O Rourke’s.
TOASTMASTERS
The new season of Toastmasters in West Limerick begins with a free meeting on Wednesday, September 1 in The Desmond Complex from 8.30-10.30pm. Come along and learn what we are all about, join us for a welcome cup of tea and a biscuit and talk to members from all walks of life who will tell you what being a member of Toastmasters has done for them. Toastmasters International is the leading movement devoted to making effective oral communication a worldwide reality. Through its member clubs, Toastmasters International helps men and women learn the arts of speaking, listening, and thinking – vital skills that promote self-actualization, enhance leadership potential, foster human understanding, and contribute to the betterment of mankind. Teresa Dukes the Distrct Governor of the 230 clubs spread throughout Britain and Ireland said in a recent letter to all members that “Toastmasters takes that fear away! It inspires you to tackle your fears in a positive and encouraging environment to become the speaker and leader you want to be. It is empowering because it allows you to build these skills at the pace you want and to practice them in a safe learning environment. It gives you the passion to embrace your dreams and goals and make them a reality. So if you want to overcome that initial nervousness at speaking in public, if you want to learn how to organise and present your ideas logically and convincingly for your boss or colleagues, or if you just want to be taken more seriously and listened to by your friends and family then why not visit one of the local Toastmasters clubs.” For further information contact Donnacha on 086 8494505.
GAA:
Tipperary qualified for the All Ireland hurling final with a 7-point win over Waterford in Croke Park yesterday. They now meet Kilkenny in the final. The Cats are seeking a record 5-in-a-row McCarthy Cups.
Fixture; Fr. Casey’s V Mulcair Gaels – Tonight 16th August, 7.00pm in Abbeyfeale

  My grandmother remembered Fr Casey. She was just seven yeas old when he died, but she recalled a horseman dressed in black and with the distinctive Roman collar, cantering slowly across Abbeyfeale Hill on his way to Cahirhayes, probably to visit a sick parishioner. “That’s Fr Casey.” her mother told her. “That’s the Land [...]

Last night as I lay sleeping, I dreamed of days of yore, And strolled along the old Hill Road In memory once more.

Next year will be the centenary of the death of Fr William Casey PP who was Parish Priest of Abbeyfeale from 1883 until 1907. The event will be commemorated with various functions and events throughout West Limerick and beyond, and is certain to revive major interest in the life and times of this extraordinary man [...]

 Meenkilly National School, Abbeyfeale has enjoyed a long and proud academic history since its establishment at the start of the 1900`s. However, in recent years, it has garnered an additional reputation for the quality and excellence of its card school.Meenkilly Card Game has been up and running now for several seasons and has almost become [...]