Dear Editor,
It was indeed a pleasure reading the vivid recollections of the old Radio Éireann studio in the GPO penned by Brendan Balfe, as featured in An Irishman’s Diary on 29th October.
My own lineage holds a connection to that time. As per my father’s account, my paternal grandfather was invited to perform on the uilleann pipes twice on air from the GPO back in 1937, the year when 2RN was rebranded as Radio Éireann, a fact Mr Balfe also mentions. Information about these performances is quite thin, but there was a peculiar instruction for my grandfather on both occasions. In order to prevent the microphone from catching the sound of his foot tapping, he was asked to play barefoot. For his services, he received a remuneration of ten shillings and sixpence, a detail that etched itself wonderfully in our family history. Regrettably, despite my attempted search some years ago, no existing record of the performances could be sourced.
However, reading An Irishman’s Diary stirred up an image of my grandfather in my mind. I could almost see him, unlacing his brogues, attaching the bellows, filling up the bag, marveling at the then modern equipment. I envisaged the family huddled around the kitchen radio in anticipation, spellbound by the tunes of Mason’s Apron and the Belfast Hornpipe, the signatures of his act. And finally, him stepping out of the side door of the GPO underneath the “Radio Éireann” sign onto the bustling Henry Street – the pipes tucked under his arm, a cheque in his back pocket, sporting a proud smile.
A heartfelt thanks to Brendan Balfe for resurrecting these treasures from the past.
CHRIS FITZPATRICK,
Dublin 6.