Tour of  County Mayo. September 2005

The Irish Guards Singers have just returned from their second visit to County Mayo. We could not have wished for a more genuine and heart warming reception than those we received in Ballinrobe, Castlebar, Westport and Knock. The people were so lovely and welcoming, and their hospitality to former British soldiers truly overwhelming.

Our first engagement was to sing at the 3-pm mass in celebration of “Our Lady’s” birthday in the great Basilica at Knock which was packed to capacity. After the service it seemed as if the whole congregation wanted to speak with us and have photographs taken with members of the choir, it was quite unbelievable. Like last year, the response from the public, so warm and genuine, proved a very moving experience. Later in the evening the lads gave a concert at the Helm Hotel in Westport.

Next in our sights was the service organised by the Irish Military Heritage Ltd in recognition  of  ‘The Forgotten Army’ all those Irish men and women who died during the 2nd World War, including  those who served in the Armed Forces of  the United Kingdom. During this service members of the Irish Army formed a colour party to give honour at the altar in memory of those who fell in battle. For our part it was a great honour for the Irish Guards Singers to take a leading role in such a service. It was most significant that representatives of both the Irish and British military were present, and  ensured that the event will live in the memory of all who attended. It was a treat for me personally to see and meet up with Colonel William Harvey-Kelly and Laurie Windle who both attended the service.

Saturday was a repeat of last year with a mass followed by a concert in Ballinrobe. The hospitality of our host, Monsignor Tom Shannon, and his parishioners , excelled even that of last year, but I’m more than sure that the entertainment we provided fully repaid the generosity and friendship shown to us. It was a great pleasure to see John Cameron, an ex-Mick from the 1950’s, at the Ballinrobe event,  . . . thanks for the effort John.

Sunday morning we took up the invitation to sing at St Mary’s in Westport to be followed by a concert in the town that evening. News of our schedule while in Mayo had appeared in the Mayo News the previous week, alas due to building work being carried out at St Mary’s it was not decided until midway through the tour if we would actually visit St Mary’s. Nevertheless an impromptu visit was arranged much to the delight of the parish priest and the parishioners. Quite a number of parishioners actually doubled back from leaving the 9.30 mass and stayed for the 10.30 service just to hear us, which gives some indication of how well we have been received in every town we have visited.
 

To my mind our singing certainly seems to hit the right nerve, if not we would not receive so many invitations to return each year, but there is another gigantic plus to our popularity and that is our name. The IRISH GUARDS Singers. It is just the feeling that comes across from people when they realise who we are. They are, without doubt, just as proud of the Irish Guards as we ourselves are. I have no illusions about this, to these lovely people the Micks are part of their family, and they certainly show it.

We have already received an invitation to sing at Knock in September 2006 together with a request to sing for a charity in Cong followed by a reception in Ashford Castle. Other invitations from various sources are now being accessed which will, once again, ensure that the singers will have a full program to deal with next year..

For the IG Singers it was not just the historical side, like the service in Castlebar that made the news,. It was the fact of the obvious joy and happiness we brought wherever we sang and those lovely Irish hearts made their affection for us, and our Regiment, abundantly clear. What lovely people . . .

John Hyland - Irish Guards Singers
102 Moorfield Road
Widnes WA8 3HX

Tel: 0151 423 3004

Contact John by sending me an Email