Author of "Ambiguous Republic Ireland in the 1970s" confirmed for UCG Reunion!

Professor Diarmaid Ferriter, the well known historian, author and media personality, will be our special guest speaker at the November 30th Reunion.

Much of what he writes about in his excellent publication, Ambiguous Republic Ireland in the 1970s, will be familiar to most of us, as we lived through and helped shaped this seminal decade.

In fact some of the attendees at the Reunion may even be mentioned by Diarmaid in his talk!

Finally, a big bualadh bos for Richard Moore who secured the presence of Diarmaid at our event!

UCG 1978-'81 Reunion, November 30th/December 1st 2013

What promises to be a memorable weekend!!

Death of a Galway Musical Legend- Eugene Kelly

The funeral took place this week of a man that will always be remembered with great fondness by a generation of UCG students.

Along with his musical partner Cha Taylor, Eugene Kelly (photo-far right) formed a highly talented two piece band that was the central focus of so many Galway students' weekly night on the town during the mid to the very late 1970s. We packed the King’s Head bar every Thursday to listen, sing and dance to Eugene and Cha as they belted out such classics as Route 66, Lucille, Bad Bad Leroy Brown…

A Packed Thursday Night in the King's Head during a Kelly & Taylor Gig

As the best pub band in Galway, they had an army of adoring fans who established the King’s Head pub as the undisputed musical youth mecca of Ireland’s primary student city. Eugene was without doubt the ultimate ‘Mr Cool’ of his time. Handsome, tall, slim, proud owner of a wonderful singing voice, a fine crop of shining black hair and gleaming white teeth, with a shirt always unbuttoned to show off his hairy chest, he had teenage girls swooning at this feet. Appropriately, he drove a sleek Ford Capri car at a time when us poor students walked or cycled everywhere. Decades later, he still managed to retain his youthful looks and this Dorian Grey character was often referred to as Ireland’s answer to Cliff Richard or Peter Pan.

It would perhaps be expected therefore that students such as me would have been jealous even spiteful towards a man that possessed all the characteristics in abundance that the rest of the Irish male population seemed to lack. Not so. For Eugene was the perfect gentleman- friendly, helpful, concerned and supportive. You could not help but like the man.

His musical prowess was not confined to the pub. He was bigger and better than that. Until the early 1980s, the 3-4 piece  Kelly and Taylor Band became the mainstay of UCG faculty dress dances, Graduation Balls and charity concerts.

As we grew older and moved from college to the world of work, the musical styles of Eugene and Cha changed but they still remained part of the lives of those of us that remained in Galway. As members of ‘All That Jazz’ the two lads were part of the city’s most successful early Sunday afternoon  musical event. Eugene was the cornerstone of Horizon and other great local bands during the 1980s and 1990s. He also became a highly respected musical producer, writer and promoter that did so much to help develop the musical talents of countless young bands.  

It was appropriate and symbolic of the role that Eugene and Cha meant to UCG denizens in this wonderful era, that they were the main artistic act at the highly successful UCG 78/'81 Reunion in 2008.

Eugene's unexpected and sudden death was painful to us all, particularly to his wife Sindy, brother John and sister Mary Rose who were our fellow students. But we will always cherish beautiful memories of a man who gave so much joy and solace to us during our college nights.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam

Commerce Students February 1980

Click on picture for larger image

This is an interesting photograph that I recently came across.
I believe that it is of the Faculty of Commerce students that arrived in UCG in September 1977 and graduated in 1980.
It was probably taken in February of 1980.
I based this assumption on the fact that some of the students are wearing what I believe are Student Union Presidential (VOTE FOR ....!) election stickers.
One of the candidates in that election is actually in the front row- Eddie Ward (third from the left).
Can you help identify the individuals in the group? Click here to find out who has already been labelled!

Mary ‘Ma’ O’Driscoll, UCG Lady Dean of Residence

The death occurred a number of weeks ago of the much-loved Mary ‘Ma’ O’Driscoll, the Lady Dean of Residence at UCG for many years.
Even for us in the late 1970s, she was very much a throwback to a long vanished and more innocent era when a 'Lady Superintendent' watched over female students to ensure that they behaved properly at all times.
She told me once of her early days as a Dean of Residence in the college when she would be traditionally presented with a bouquet of flowers by female attendees at a college dance before taking her high seat at the top of the hall when she, along with the Catholic chaplain, kept a close eye on the night's proceedings to ensure that no 'inappropriate' close dancing or 'hanky panky' went on! Which was made even more difficult for the youngsters by the fact that, in those far-off days, women had to back at their college-sanctioned lodgings by 10am.

By the mid 1970s, the world had changed beyond recognition with late night discos, house parties, music pubs, feminism and gay rights becoming part of the Galway student scene. But 'Ma', as she was affectionately known, still provided a sympathetic ear and friendly support to generations of students.
She will always be remembered with great fondness by all those that knew her.
May she rest if peace

Death of Richie Cazabon, lead singer of Nightrider

Nightrider

Richie Cazabon, known by many UCG students of the late 1970s and early 1980s as the lead singer of the band Nightrider, died a few days ago.
At the end of his Leaving Cert year, he and his school friends formed a music group that played cover versions of Thin Lizzy, who were then Ireland's most famous rock band on the international circuit. With his afro hair style, ethnicity and musical tastes, Richie was Galway's answer to Phil Lynott! His band, originally known as White Ivy, got their first gig playing at Caroline Graham and Speedie's joint 21st Birthday Bash in O'Leary's Bar in Salthill.

They later changed their name to Nightrider. Though none of the members were then university students, nevertheless they were very popular on the college circuit. They actually played the famous Unity Variety Concert that became the launch pad for the FUZE.
Richie himself was a personal friend of many students during that era.
May Richie Rest in Peace Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam

Was It As Good For You As It Was For Me?

Reflections from participants of the 78/79 Reunion of Nov 7th 2009

It was Fun! Fun ! Fun! Its so lovely seeing so many of our classmates well and happy. The disco was great- you’d know that we don’t get out too often!! And was a great way to end the evening. It doesn’t feel like 31 years, does it!?
Linda Gillen Byrne

I'm writing this in a state of happy exhaustion after a wonderful weekend!
The Reunion was a triumph yet again, with the delight of Hubert's insights into James Joyce, the surreal entertainment of Lit and Deb, and the terrific evening performances , with the songs of the FUZE sounding as fresh, vibrant and original as the day they were minted.
Ursula Killeen

Just wanted to say a very big ‘Thank You’ for organising the great Reunion on Saturday night. I really enjoyed it and it was such a success - once again!...
Getting the Fuze together and to have Gerry Sexton there was amazing!!
I met up with such wonderful people and such great stories. We have all been through the mill so to speak and it is wonderful to meet up at a 'happy occasion' rather than the usual 'funeral' or hear of old friends for sad or tragic reasons. Thanks so much!
Maria Silke

It was a great day - right from the very start. I honestly thought I'd stay for an hour or two and then head off, but found myself staying right up until the very end! It was great to see so many "old" faces looking so young. Many of them I hadn't seen since leaving UCG (can't get used to NUIG) in 1980 with the H.Dip. in my hand.
The day was brilliantly organised from start to finish, and great fun! It was marvellous to hear Hubert lecture again. I thought it was only in my fond memories that he was so brilliant, witty and incisive. It was good to find out that he was exactly as I'd remembered. And the photo slide show - well, what can I say? What a time we had of it back then! As for the Lit 'n' Deb .... what a performance!

Tom Cassidy in full flow! Tom requested that this photo is NOT to be used for his Memoriam Card!

Many of the people I spoke to that evening I had only known to see when at college, so it was even more interesting to have the chance to actually meet and chat.
As for the Fuze & Gerry Sexton's disco, what a night! Thoroughly enjoyable…. Joyce was right when she said it was worth the journey - the people were great, the atmosphere was fun! What a joy to see everyone in such great spirits.
So, thanks again!
Edel Cleary

Just a quick message to thank all the committee once again for a really enjoyable reunion on Saturday last. It was great fun and wonderful to meet up with so many from our student days…how wonderful it was to see ye all on Saturday night and thanks for such a great event! I had a ball, although I probably don't need to tell you that, it was probably very obvious from my general state! I haven't danced so much in years and I enjoyed every minute of the night…it was a very special night and I'm really grateful…
Eugene Scanlan

Congratulations to Maria and all the committee for organising a fantastic weekend. I haven’t laughed so much in years!
Joe Rice

"...we are lucky to have been able to reconnect with so many people and its brought such pleasure and a sense of recognition that we were lucky 30 years ago and lucky now. I am certain that I will stay in contact (with so many)..."
Maria O'Malley

Thanks for organising the reunion party…Good to see the old faces .. some unchanged by the years and others a lot better than they were .... I thought at college that we would have changed the world maybe we have in a small way.
Margaret Geraghty

Well done on a truly wonderful night and day for the over 50s!!!,who still know a thing or 2 about partying and disco dancing till the early hours!!
Catherine Hickey

Ye "pulled it out of the bag" yet again--another great reunion! Thanks again.
Mary Murphy

Firstly, thanks for doing such a sterling job in organising this year’s reunion - AGAIN. I know fun was had by all.
Eileen Mahoney

"Bravo…that was a wonderful gathering that none of us will ever forget.
Joyce McGreevy

Hope they all enjoyed the get together on Saturday last!
Gerry Sexton

…My husband and I really enjoyed ourselves…It was so nice to meet some old friends ( or rather friends from the past!). My husband really enjoyed the night…He went to UCD and was so surprised by the friendliness of everyone in Galway. It was a great place to go to college and the characters we met during our time there were unbelievable. In those days we really didn't know how good we had it. Everyday was as interesting as the next!
Cora Stack

What a great night, thank you and the committee for organizing such a memorable event. Dare I say it was better that last year, the smaller numbers made it more intimate, sure what can you expect when you get the cream of the crop!
Liz Cassidy

I am writing to thank you and your team for a great reunion. It was great fun to meet up with old friends and acquaintances and we had such a good laugh...great medicine!! It was fabulous to walk in and immediately reconnect with people I hadn't met for 30 years, listen to and relate stories from those halcyon days...the connections remain despite the absence of sight or sound.
Gwen Culligan

It was great to see such a good attendance, with revelers dancing to Gerry's disco right up to the very end of the night.
Happy times indeed, and well done again,
Caroline Graham

I just loved the weekend!!!
Sinead O’Neill

Thanks so much for another wonderful night…great thought and work into the whole weekend again…The music was great, very nostalgic.
Eileen Keary

The afternoon began with a riveting lecture from the forever wonderful Prof Hubert McDermott...He treated us to a beautiful take on James Joyce's The Dead, unwrapping the layers within it, and highlighting the Galway connections with humour and hubris as ever. He played a clip for us - how wonderful was Donal McCann eh? (Was still thinking about the whole story when stuck in traffic at the Bodkin roundabout on the way home). Have to go read the story now. I had to leave early, but I think about now everyone has finished their meal, and the music (Seisiún Mór, The Fuse, Disco with the Big G) should be starting. It was great to see Emer Walsh, Una Tierney, Eleanor Geoghegan, Kathlyn Hennelly, Una Byrne, Fergal Hassett, Liam Breathnach, Gerry Sexton and everyone there
Mags Amond (posting on her website).

Click here for further photographs from the Nov 7th Reunion

Many apologies came from those that could not attend the Reunion. The comments of one of the 'missing' came from Eugene Quinn, who reminiscing about an single event from his college days, probably best summarises the fondness that many of us still have for the old alma mater.

Thank you for your invite to the 78/79 UCG graduate reunion. Unfortunately I live too far away in Australia to make it this time. Speaking of long journeys to distant places, Joe and I traveled to the University of Bradford in Feb '78 to represent UCG at a Debating tournament. This was in the days where only Aer Arann could be viewed from my window, Sean O'Rourke was yet to take to the air waves and only the Cadets of Renmore could have four wheels. When Mary, Joe & I arrived in Bradford we had a quick cuppa and went straight into a photo shot for the local press. The snow was thick on the ground in Bradford and this place, for me, was a long way from windy Galway. We traveled by train to Dun Laoghaire, overnight boat to Liverpool and then train again along the wonderful canals of outer Manchester & across the Pennines & Yorkshire moors. On our return we stayed overnight in the residences of the University of Lancaster. As most of the U of L students were away for the week-end, the place was much too quiet and only during the summer months would UCG obtain such a low decibel reading. Since then Joe has gone on to help throw open the gates of the Maze Prison with the inspiration and conviction that I'm sure was nurtured during his undergraduate years in Galway. We encountered at UCG a strong indication that the island of Ireland had a lot to offer particularly in an environment where respect for each individual is fostered and diversity encouraged. Having been sentenced to Van Demon's land for more 21 years now, I very much welcome to get out on parole and visit the motherland. I am still on my bike but don't get wet now as often as when I headed up Dr Mannix drive in a force 10 gale. Dia Dhuit and best wishes to all,
Eugene Quinn