Castlebar music – Brendan Shine shines

BRENDAN SHINES FOR RESIDENTS

Summer musical treat at Castlebar hospital as favourite singer drops by for an outdoor performance

The legendary Brendan Shine was among the performers at a summer music outdoor event at Sacred Heart Hospital in Castlebar.

During lockdown last year, Garda Olive Lafferty and Deirdre Waldron, Manager Castlebar Voluntary Social Services, came up with the idea of socially distance music events for the elderly in the community as a way to try and alleviate loneliness and let older people know we were still thinking of them.

Being in contact with the client base through the meals on wheels service and telephone befriending service, highlighted the depths of fear and isolation the elderly were feeling.

Ms. Waldron approached Mayo County Council and applied for funding through ‘Community Resilience Fund’ and with the fantastic help of Henry McGlade, she was able to source the perfect entertainment for the elderly and planning commenced.

There was great enthusiasm when staff let the residents on the Ross and Carra Suites, Sacred Heart Hospital Castlebar know of the plans for the music event with special guest Brendan Shine. “I remember seeing him play before”, “Oh, he’s a great man, a great entertainer” were what some of the residents said.

They assembled around the beautiful, landscaped garden in the Sacred Heart. Some sat outside, some inside; some residents choose to listen to the talented musicians from the comfort of their rooms. The event was accessible to all.

MC Henry McGlade introduced the music event to everyone with a word of welcome from Carole King, Director of Nursing. Then the music started and it wasn’t long before residents were tapping their feet, clapping their hands and singing along to familiar songs and melodies. A few could not resist the urge to dance, especially to the ‘Old Bog Road’, ‘I Met her in the Galtymore’ and the old favourite ‘Shoe the Donkey’.

The staff recognised the obvious joy in the residents and it gave everyone great pleasure to be able to share in the enjoyment. It was wonderful for all to experience the music, the fun and the laughter once again.

One resident stated, “I am eternally grateful to ye. We could not have had a better day.”

Both residents and staff felt the music event came at exactly the right time and it uplifted everyone’s spirits after such a long, arduous year.

Special thanks to MC Henry McGlade from IMayo TV, Mick Mulhern, Patricia Redmond Redmond Academy of Irish Dance, Ballad Group Tony and The Ramblers, Yvonne Kilcullen Events, McDonald AV, The Connaught Telegraph, Mayo Mental Health Association and SVP - Society of St Vincent de Paul Ireland for their generous support, and, last but by no means least, Brendan Shine and his daughter Emily.