Song-writing legend visits rehearsals

Legendary Nashville-based songwriter Rory Bourke was amazed to see so many members of the cast assembled on the night of the October Bank Holiday and getting on with rehearsals under the direction of Director Tommy Marren and Musical Director Lavinia Gilmartin.

The entire room sang Lion of Partry, the song Rory wrote with Terry Reilly for the show, and the visitor was suitably impressed. “What great voices, what great people,” he said when he addressed the gathering.

This Hall of Fame tinsmith with deep Mayo roots has lived all his life in the music business and has seen and worked with or written songs for some of the greatest singers to come out of Nashville, including Elvis Presley, Dolly Parton, Don Williams, Randy Travis, Ann Murray, Josh Turner (who has recorded Rory’s song as his latest single), and many, many more.

His people left Ballina during the Great Famine, and he grew up in a household in Ohio that was never allowed to forget their Irishness, their heritage, their sense of place.

Back to trace some of his roots with his wife Rita, he was delighted to be able to attend rehearsals and enthralled to hear that all the directors and cast are volunteering their services to bring On Wing and A Prayer-The Musical to the stage for three nights in aid of the Mayo Roscommon Hospice. (see dates and links to buy tickets).  They were warmly welcomed by Cynthia Clampett, CEO of the Mayo Roscommon Hospice, who also plays the part of Dame Judy Coyne in the show.

Rory Bourke videoed the rehearsals and told the Musical’s creator Terry Reilly afterwards that he would bring it back with immense pride to Nashville and looked forward to showing it to his friends.

He wished the show every success and said he very much looked forward to returning to Ballina again to meet his many cousins in the area.

Tickets are selling exceptionally well for the show which is expected to perform before capacity attendances.