2021 Gallery
William and Agnes Wray, Dunmore East
26th Sept 2021: The new RNLI Lifeboat, the William and Agnes Wray, arrived in Dunmore East today at exactly 13:41 (her identifying number) to much fanfare. It was a great occasion and the weather held too so that everyone could enjoy the new arrival. There were good crowds on the Harbour wall and along the quays to welcome her home. We were delighted to be there to sing Home from the Sea, as the crew berthed on her pontoon in the inner harbour. This is a high-tech jet-propelled boat and is fitted with all the modern technology required to assist in search and rescue in the often turbulent waters off the south east coast of Ireland. It is a significant addition to Dunmore East, to the local communities and to all those whose who use the offshore waters safe in the knowledge that the William and Agnes Wray and her expert crew will be there for them if the need arises. We also enjoyed some refreshments and sang a few more songs in the company of the RNLI crews who gathered later in the nearby Butcher’s Power pub. It was also great to meet up with Edward McBride, a former Hooks and Crookes member.
Cape Clear, 27–29 August 2021
It was fantastic to get back onto to Cape Clear after such a hard year because of the all the Covid restrictions since we were last here in 2020. The Island looked absolutely splendid as the weather was truly exceptional with warm conditions and clear, blue skies for the entire weekend. And to top it all, we were able to sing again in convivial surroundings (outdoors mostly) and in good company, while we observed all the protocols. It was a wonderful weekend of chat and comeraderie with an abundance of songs and tunes, the purpose of which was to raise funds for the upkeep and maintenance of the Church on the island.
Thanks to Mary and Ciarán O'Driscoll for their kind hospitality and their company during our stay and thank you too to all the lovely people we met with while there and who made the event and the weekend such a success.
Until we meet again....
We are Practicing again
16 August: We've been busy, meeting every Monday afternoons since late May, singing down in Dunmore out in the fresh air and in view of the Hook Lighthouse (and what a view it is too!). Our voices are getting better by the week and we are improving all the time, honing our songs and their delivery...and we are looking forward to a live event soon....more details later! Each practice ends with a drop, always a nice drop too, anything from Drumbshanbo to Bushmills to Waterford. No wonder we are singing so well. Long may it continue!
31 May: In view of the easing Covid restrictions (including that six people from six different households can meet outdoors), we were delighted to head for Dunmore East and avail of Frank's hospitality and the wonderful views of Waterford Harbour from his veranda. There we sang lowly first (it has been several months) and then heartily as we observed the sea, the Harbour, The Hook, the boats and Rescue 117 performing manoeuvres just offshore which almost matched the noise we were making on the veranda (that was a good time to take a break and sample the very fine Drumbshanbo Single Pot Still Irish Whisky: highly recommended, though you might have to save up to buy the first edition, even if you could get it). The weather was glorious and it really was great to get back singing again, in the flesh, after months of bad news, angst and hassle.
All aboard
