Brothers who penned ‘Grace’ honoured in home town

“Where else would you get it,” exclaimed Kieran Hanrahan presenter of RTÉ’s Céilí House when Seán and Frank O’Meara, the men who penned the iconic ballad Grace, took to the stage with Foster and Allen for a heartfelt rendition of their song.

The occasion was the presentation of Gradam Na hÉigse Awards on the steps of the Cathedral of Christ the King, Mullingar, last Thursday afternoon and as the large crowd looked on there was a sense of history being created as well as celebrated.

Grace tells the tragic story of Grace Gifford, who married her fiancé, rebel leader Joseph Mary, hours before he was executed at Kilmainham Jail, Dublin. The lyrics were penned by Sean O’Meara and the music was composed by Frank. Grace has been recorded by many artists including Jim McCann, the Dubliners, and Rod Steward.

The O’Meara brothers, who are natives of St Brigid’s Terrace, Mullingar, were among the recipients of the awards, as were Mick Foster and Tony Allen.

The presentations were made by Dr Labhrás Ó Murchú, Ardstiúrthóir, Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann and Éamonn Ó hArgáin, Uachtarán, Comhaltas. The Bishop of Meath, Most Rev Dr Tom Deenihan, and Fr Phil Gaffney were among the guests present.

A sea of faces was met by waves of music against the backdrop of the majestic cathedral where the large crowd gathered. Flutes, fiddles, tin whistles, accordions, bodhráns, and keyboards were among the instruments being played by pupils of Scoil Éigse and others.

Kieran Hanrahan introduced the award recipients, remarking that last year’s recipients were former president of Ireland, Mary McAleese, and former taoiseach Brian Cowen.

First up was “the wonderful” Joe Connaire, chairman of the Fleadh Executive Committee. Willie Penrose, vice-chair, FEC, was next, and Mr Hanrahan warned the audience that he would be trying to sell tickets for the car raffle to them – “he’s doing a wonderful job on that too”.

Mr Hanrahan introduced Colette Glynn as “one of the unsung heroes of the fleadh – she made the fleadh happen” and “has been a powerhouse” in the work she has done. “You can take next week off Colette,” he laughed.

Mick Foster and Tony Allen were both dressed in white suits for the ceremony. Mr Hanrahan said they were receiving the award for everything they have done for Irish music.

Mr Hanrahan reminded the audience of Mick Foster’s illustrious career at the fleadh as he won junior all-Ireland titles in 1962 and ‘63 and senior titles in ‘68 and ‘70.

When he introduced Tony Allen as “a man from this neck of the woods, having been born in Mount Temple”, a loud cheer went up from the crowd.

“Ye should be proud of the work he has done,” Mr Hanrahan told the crowd.

Sean and Frank O’Meara of St Brigid’s Terrace, Mullingar. “We didn’t know that till this year,” Mr Hanrahan remarked. He pointed out that in addition to Grace, a ballad that has travelled the world, the duo have had other successes, including Meet Me At The Pillar, Roisin and You Are All That I Need, recorded by Daniel O’Donnell.

Donie and Peter Cassidy from Castlepollard received awards for their work through CMR Records, set up by Donie in 1978 to promote artists such as Foster and Allen. Mr Hanrahan thanked them for making Irish music and song available internationally.

Foster and Allen were joined by Moyra Fraser on keyboard as they led the crowd in a poignant performance of Grace.

Sean and Frank were persuaded by them to join in. “Where else would you get it!” Kieran Hanrahan exclaimed.

Sean O’Meara said: “It is great to be honoured in the town of your birth and it is very emotional, it will stay with us forever.”

He said they had no idea the crowd at the presentation would be “so large, enthusiastic, wonderful and kind”. Although the brothers left Mullingar in 1961, “when we were just chislers”, they still have family and friends in the area with whom they stay in close contact “more 60 years later”.

Sean referred in particular to Billy Leonard and Jim Marshal, with whom they went to school and “know since we were knee high to a grasshopper”.

A selection of jigs including The Cow That Ate the Blanket and the Rambling Pitchfork followed, and the singers performed In Praise of the City of Mullingar.

In conclusion, Kieran Hanrahan applauded all the tutors at Scoil Éigse “who put in a fantastic week here” and in particular, Lisa O’Shea, who could not attend the presentations. He thanked Louise Connaire, “who has been a great help to us in getting Scoil Éigse off the ground”.

Fear an ti, Eddie Murphy, who was described by Kieran Hanrahan as “one of the greatest volunteers in CCÉ for many years, also applauded Mary Garvey and all the volunteer corps for helping set the venue up for the ceremony and Tom Doherty and John McHugh for setting up the sound system.