Claremorris talk on the fascinating life of Garech de Brún

Claremorris talk on the fascinating life of Garech de Brún

James Morrissey (right) with the late Garech de Brún.

The fascinating life and work of the late Garech de Brún of Castle Mac Garrett, will be the subject of an illustrated presentation by the writer, James Morrissey, in Claremorris Town Hall Studio on Tuesday evening, March 26th, at 8.15pm. The event, entitled ‘Garech Browne and Claddagh Records’, is being hosted by Claremorris Historical Society and admission is free.

James Morrissey is a native of Kiltimagh. His latest work, ‘Real to Reel: A History of Claddagh Records’, published by Claddagh Records, includes a large-format hardback book together with a vinyl box set celebrating the life of Garech Browne and his quest to preserve Ireland’s musical and spoken-word heritage with Claddagh Records.

Garech Browne grew up in Castle Mac Garrett, Claremorris, the eldest of the three sons of Dominick Browne - the 4th Baron Oranmore and Browne - and his second wife, Oonagh, a wealthy heiress to the Guinness fortune.

Garech's father, Lord Oranmore and Browne, had the rare distinction of sitting in the House of Lords for 72 years, until his death at the age of 100 in August 2002, without ever speaking in a debate.

Garech’s only full brother, The Hon. Tara Browne, was a young London socialite whose death at the age of 21 in a car crash in London's West End helped inspire John Lennon when writing the song, 'A Day in the Life', with Paul McCartney.

Garech spent most of his life at Luggala, Co Wicklow, a house made famous by his parties, which were attended by many musical luminaries of the 1960s, including the Beatles and the Rolling Stones. His former home, Woodtown Manor near Dublin, was for many years a welcoming place for Irish poets, writers and musicians. The folk-pop group Clannad made many of their recordings there.

A leading proponent of the revival and preservation of traditional Irish music, Garech was instrumental in the formation of the traditional Irish folk group The Chieftains. In 1962, having previously set up Claddagh Records, he asked his friend, the famed uileann piper Paddy Moloney, to form a group for a one-off album. Moloney responded with the first line-up for the band, which went on to achieve international commercial success as The Chieftains.

All of this and much more will be recounted by James Morrissey in what promises to be a most interesting evening. All are welcome.

James Morrisey is a leading communications consultant and the author of several books. A former award-winning journalist, he was a founder of the Sunday Business Post newspaper and attended Garbally College in Ballinasloe before embarking on his journalistic career.

As a boy, he vividly recalls visiting Castle MacGarrett with his father in the 1960s to buy apples and honey.

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