This article is from page 35 of the 2008-02-12 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 35 JPG
THE life and times of Jack Garrihy will be celebrated as part of this year Russell Memorial Weekend which begins in Doolin on Friday, Febru- 1 ae
Jack, who passed away at last years festival, was one of the founders of the memorial weekend, a friend to the Russells and one of the key fig- ures in Doolin’s development over the last hundred years.
As part of the festival launch, a spe- cial picture of Jack will be unveiled in the Russell Centre. The photo will be unveiled by Jack’s friend, Cllr Richard Nagle, while Jack’s grand-
daughters Aoibhean, Ailbe and Dao- ireann will perform songs from their erandfather’s repertoire in memory of his fine gift as a sean nos singer.
‘Jack was a neighbour of the Rus- sells and was one of the founders of the memorial weekend back in 1995. He died after the wreath laying cer- emony last year, he had just fulfilled his job and then he died,” said John Doorty.
“He had been training his neigh- bour, Patrick Sweeney, who was an- other neighbour of the Russells, to take over the job of the wreath lay- ing. He made sure that we had typed out the speech that he had to give and everything. He had been future
proofing the whole future of the fes- tival.”
Besides his involvement with Rus- sell Weekend, Jack is remembered as one of Doolin’s most prominent business people and community leaders.
“What Jack did was that he forged these links with the Aran Islands. It’s extraordinary, there are still people who come to Doolin from the Aran Islands. He was areal self made man, he started the trade back and forth with the islands,’ continued John.
“I remember when I went out to Inis Meain, everyone asked me did I know Jack Garrihy. Everyone out there knew him. If they wanted some-
thing he would get it for them. He looked after them, often time some of the fishermen would stay with him in Doolin for a day or two.”
Other highlights of the weekend include a concertina recital with Ro- nan O’Flaherty and Edel Fox, the Russell Concert featuring all local musicians, a traditional singing re- cital, a tin whistle and flute recital with Christy Barry and Colin Nee, set dancing with the Four Courts Céili Band and sessions throughout the weekend in Doolin’s pubs and hotels
For more on the weekend check out www.michorussellweekender.ie.