A Reminder from Ms Maura Barrett, (Cashel Library):
Mná Month kicks off with a bang at Cashel Library this coming weekend; with their opening free concert beginning on Saturday March 1st, commencing at 7:30pm sharp and featuring “The Wood of O“.
“The Wood of O” is comprised of singer-songwriter Breege Phelan and songwriter/composer Will McLellan, both of whom have been mesmerising audiences with their unique, original material.
Please do also rememberBooking to this Free Event is Essentialby telephoning062-63825.
You canlocate the Cashel Library building; situated on Friar Street, Lady’s Well, Cashel, Co. Tipperary, HERE. (G487+RX).
The R&B professional singer-songwriter, Ms Roberta Flack, best known for the hits “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face” and “Killing Me Softly With His Song”, passed away peacefully at her home this morning, February 24th 2025, surrounded by her loving family, while in her 89th year.
Ms Flack (February 10, 1937 – February 24, 2025) had previously announced in 2022 that she had amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (motor neurone disease), and could no longer continue to sing.
Born in North Carolina and raised in Arlington, Virginia, USA, the musician started out as a classical pianist. She gained a full school scholarship to Howard University when aged just 15 years old; thus making her one of the youngest students ever to enrol there. Her classical training led her into teaching piano, but at night she’d accompany opera singers on piano, while singing pop standards during the breaks. Her Atlantic recordings did not sell particularly well, until actor/director Clint Eastwood chose a song from her first album “First Take”, using the lyrics written by Ewan MacColl, “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face” for the sound track of his directorial debut “Play Misty for Me”. The song became the biggest hit of the year for 1972, spending six consecutive weeks at No. 1 and earning Ms Flack a million-selling Gold disc.
The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face.
The first time ever I saw your face, I thought the sun rose in your eyes, And the moon and the stars were the gifts you gave, To the dark and the endless skies, my love, To the dark and the endless skies. And the first time ever I kissed your mouth, I felt the earth move in my hand, Like the trembling heart of a captive bird. That was there at my command, my love, That was there at my command, my love. And the first time ever I lay with you, I felt your heart so close to mine, And I knew our joy it would fill the earth, And last ’til the end of time, my love, And it would last ’til the end of time, The first time ever I saw your face. Your face, your face, your face.
END
In 1966, Ms Flack married jazz musician Steve Novosel. The couple divorced in 1972. They had no children. In 2010, she established “The Roberta Flack Foundation”, which promoted animal welfare and music education. Ms Flack would go on to became the first artist ever to win a Grammy Award for ‘Record of the Year’ in two consecutive years; 1973 and 1974. In 2020 Ms Flack won a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.
Ms Flack was predeceased in 2022, by her godson and former music director, funk and jazz keyboardist Bernard Wright, latter who died in an accident.
Rest in Perfect peace, Ms Flack, your legacy will live long. In ár gcroíthe go deo.
The song hereunder is dedicated to all of ye who are missing a loved one.
Vocals: Meelin, Co. Cork born female folk singer and musician Meadhbh Walsh.
One Of A Kind.
I miss the way you talk, I can still see the way that you walk. The pull on the strings in my heart are never to go. Your the dream that wanders my nights, Your the one who always was right, And the one thing I’ll think of tonight, is why did you go. And the feeling of loving you, feeling of hugging you, Pulling you closer and closer again. The days passing by bring me constant remind, I miss you, you were one of a kind. All the days and nights that we spent, Travelling ’round to the places we went, Telling jokes, making rhymes, singing songs, just between you and I, And the way you spoke about life, While I listened to your words in delight. Thinking ’bout all the things that you did, makes me wonder today, Of the feeling of loving you, feeling of hugging you, Pulling you closer and closer again. The days passing by bring me constant remind, I miss you, you were one of a kind. So now I’ll leave it at this, And I’ll sing this song when I’ll miss, The times you smiled, the remarks you made, The poems you told me, the music we made. If I go, I will bring you along, And will you add the chords to my song. Be watching above everyday, Keep the bonfire burning, With the feeling of loving you, Feeling of hugging you, Pulling you closer and closer again. The days passing by bring me constant remind, I miss you, you were one of a kind. The feeling of loving you, Feeling of hugging you, Pulling you closer and closer again. You’ve taken our memories up to the sky, Just remember darling, you were one of a kind.
Lyrics: Dublin born Irish folk singer/songwriter the late Pete St John(Peter Mooney 1932 – 2022). Vocals: Irish based singer-songwriter Sina Theil.
Fields of Athenry.
By a lonely prison wall, I heard a young girl calling, “Michael, they have taken you away. For you stole Trevelyan’s corn, So the young might see the morn, Now a prison ship lies waiting in the bay”. Low lie the fields of Athenry, Where once we watched the small free birds fly. Our love was on the wing, we had dreams and songs to sing, It’s so lonely ’round the fields of Athenry. By a lonely prison wall, I heard a young man calling, “Nothing matters, Mary, when you’re free. Against the famine and the crown, I rebelled, they cut me down, Now you must raise our child with dignity”. Low lie the fields of Athenry, Where once we watched the small free birds fly. Our love was on the wing we had dreams and songs to sing, It’s so lonely ’round the fields of Athenry. By a lonely harbour wall, She watched the last star falling, As the prison ship sailed out against the sky. For she lived in hope and pray, For her love in Botany Bay, It’s so lonely ’round the fields of Athenry. Low lie the fields of Athenry, Where once we watched the small free birds fly. Our love was on the wing we had dreams and songs to sing, It’s so lonely ’round the fields of Athenry. Low lie the fields of Athenry, Where once we watched the small free birds fly. Our love was on the wing we had dreams and songs to sing, It’s so lonely ’round the fields of Athenry. It’s so lonely ’round the fields of Athenry.
Mná Month, is held in Cashel Library every year during the month of March. The entire month morphs into one long celebration of women and it is done creatively.
International Women’s Day falls on March 8th and Mother’s Day traditionally falls towards the end of March, making this month the ideal time to make this event happen.
In a joint collaboration between Creative Ireland and Tipperary County Council Library Service, patrons are invited to celebrate women by tapping into their creativity.
The year 2025 marks the fifth year of this month-long celebration of women, with the library formerly hosting big names like Rachel Blackmore, Una Healy, Bibi Baskin, Rosemary Smyth and many more. The library will host a wonderful programme of FREE events that celebrate the achievements of women.
Annual Mná Month in Cashel Library, Co. Tipperary.
“This year the library service particularly welcomes non-nationals, the LGBTQ+ community, the active aged and adults who live with Dementia and Neurodivergence” says Ms Maura Barrett, (Branch Librarian and co-ordinator); adding “The library service is for everyone and it is important that we spread our reach as far as is possible.”
Saturday March 1st, Mná Month begins with a concert by the Wood of O, with doors open at 7.30pm. Comprising of singer-songwriter MsBreege Phelan and Songwriter/Composer MrWill McLellan, who have been mesmerising audiences for nearly a decade now, with their own unique original material and classic folk songs.
On Monday March 3rd, beginning at 11:00am the Cashel library will host ‘Write Minds Poetry Workshop’ facilitated by Ms Eileen Acheson & MsJenny Cox. This Poetry & Wellness is targeted at beginner and early-stage writers and is a fun and safe space, where writers are encouraged to put pen to paper using creative prompts, and wellness techniques.
On Monday March 3rd, and Monday March 10th beginning at 2:00pm Cashel library hosts English Conversation for new arrivals with experienced Failte Isteach tutors. These are fun filled and structured English conversations for beginners, intermediate and advanced learners of English.
On Tuesday 4th, Wednesday 5th & Thursday 6th of March, beginning at 2:00pm, Cashel library hosts a ‘Mnásome Quiz’, for the Active Aged, facilitated by librarian Ms Claire Grant. This promises to be both competitive and great craic with prizes for the winning team. Also, on Tuesday March 4th, beginning at 6:00pm, there is an Art Exhibition Launch with well-known and local artist Ms Joan O’Brien, who paints the female essence and her emotions. Her work embodies the mystical, spiritual and ethereal side of nature. Joan utilises mixed media like glass, paint and inks in her art works. This exhibition continues for the month.
On Saturday March 8th, beginning at 11:00am, there will be ‘Circle Dancing’ on International Women’s Day with Ms Tracey Tobin. Circle Dance is a gentle healing way to bring body, mind & spirit together. This workshop helps to relieve daily stress and release creative energy. It is the place where you can let your mind learn from your body. “I’ve always been struck by the quiet and unsummed female attribute of women’s creativity”, states Ms Maura Barrett(co-ordinator), “It is something that often goes undeclared but does so much to enrich the lives of others. This gift of creativity, drawn from the heart and mind is freely given, and translates into many things. It all requires vision, imagination, organisation, problem solving and orchestrating which is a creative skillset, even if many women don’t recognise it as such.”
Other events will include Comhrá as gaeilge; Hidden History(in collaboration with the County Museum); Genealogy; Making Birdboxes(with Elke Wilson); Jewellery Making(with GG Designs); Celtic Ceol & Craic(with Ms Patrice Davern); Candle Painting and Print Making(with Ms Lisa Manton); Women’s Health(with Ms Sabine Eggars); Crystal Healing(with Eileen Heneghan); Shamanic Drumming(with the O’Riains); Mnásome Karoke; Ceili Dancing; Queer Stories; Author Interviews and a Movie Night.
Note: Do please make sure to book your place early if you see an event you like, because seating accomodation will get booked very quickly as the month progresses! Booking Please to Tel: 062 63825
You canlocate the Cashel Library building, situated on Friar Street, Lady’s Well, Cashel, Co. Tipperary, HERE. (G487+RX).
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