The Ann Blyth/Duleek Story

Ann Blyth, beautiful actress and singer of the fifties, had close family ties to Duleek. Her mother (Nan Lynch) was born in Gaskinstown and emigrated to America as a young girl where she met and married Harry Blyth, an emigrant from Bath, England.

Drogheda Independent, March 24th, 1951
  FILM STAR MAY VISIT DULEEK
Famous film star, Ann Blyth, who is in England at present for filming “The House on the Square” is expected to shortly visit Duleek from where her parents emigrated 40 years ago. She is a niece of Tommy Lynch, a former member of Meath Co Council and sergeant of the private police force of Butlins Holiday village.

Drogheda Independent, May 19th, 1951
  FILM STAR WILL VISIT DULEEK UNCLE
As announced exclusively in these columns some weeks ago, Miss Ann Blyth, the well-known Hollywood film actress, will visit her uncle, Mr Thomas Lynch, Gaskinstown, Duleek, within the next few weeks.
  Mr Lynch has just returned from London where he spent a most enjoyable holiday with his niece. Miss Blyth visited Rome on the 15th of this month where she had an audience with His Holiness the Pope. From Rome she will come directly to Duleek where she expects to spend a brief holiday.

Drogheda Independent, June 2nd , 1951
ANN BLYTH, BOB HOPE IN DROGHEDA
ACTRESS VISITS DULEEK AUNT
Duleek village came alive on wedensday afternoon when crowds turned out for the arrival of famous film star, Ann Blyth, who was visiting her uncle, Mr Thomas Lynch, of Gaskinstown, during her holiday in Ireland, writes our Duleek correspondent.
  During her brief stay in the village, Miss Blyth, who was accompanied by a large party, including publicity men, visited the local Catholic church and also displayed considerable interest in the old historic stone cross that is always of interest to visitors.
SNAPPED WITH SERGEANT
Miss Blyth smilingly met the demands for her autograph and before leaving for Navan Races was photographed with Sergeant Shanley of the local barrack.
She went back to Dublin on the same night but will return to Gaskinstown next week.
   Before leaving the district Miss Blyth also visited another aunt, Mrs J. Clarke, of Kentstown. In Duleek she commented “Never even in my dreams did I imagine that Ireland could could be so beautiful”.
  Miss Blyth passed through Drogheda on her way to Duleek.
  On Saturday Bob Hope passed through Drogheda on his way to Belfast.
As well as being a fine singer Ann Blyth is also an accomplished pianist. She also takes part in swimming, ice skating, bowling, badminton, skiing, cycling and tennis.

Drogheda Independent, July 16th, 1951
IRISH WELCOME FOR ANN BLYTH
Playing Irish airs on the bagpipes and attired in a green and gold kilt with a Tara Broach ensemble, Mr Thomas Lynch, Gaskinstown, last week received his famous film star niece, Ann Blyth, when she visited him in his home.
  During her brief stay Miss Blyth became a “real oirish cailin” milking a cow at Gaskinstown and a goat at Tuitrath, Balrath, where her aunt, Mrs Elizabeth Clarke, resides. For good measure she danced a half set. She is reported to be disappointed that she could not find an ass to go riding on.
  Miss Blyth’s friends and relations were invited to a show in the Theatre Royal, Dublin, in which she was appearing.

Pioneers of Popular Opera

Vincenzo Bellini (1801 - 1835)

Bellini was born into a musical family on 3rd November, 1801, in Catania, Sicily. While still at music school in Naples he wrote several sinfonias, two masses, a cantata, an oboe concerto and his first opera, Adelsone e Salnini, which was so successful that the San Carlo Opera of Naples commissioned him to write a one act opera. He composed a two act, Bianca e Fermando. This led to a commission from La Scala, Milan, to work with librettist, Felice Romani. Their first success was il Pirata in 1827.

Bellini never married. He had several affairs, some with married women and one with 13 year old Clelia Pasta (daughter of his leading soprano). He asked for her hand when she was 16 but her parents refused.

Other operas were Zaira (1829), I Capuleti e Montecchi (1830), La Sonnambula (1831). Also in 1831 Norma, which was hailed as a masterpiece. Wagner called it a work of genius. In 1833 Beatrice di Tenda appeared and his last opera was I Puritani in 1835. Eight months later Bellini died from large intestine inflammation. He was 34.

Bel Canto: Bellini epitomizes the Italian Bel Canto school of singing, emphasizing beauty and evenness of tone, fine legato phrasing and perfect technique. This was in contrast to the German tradition of dramatic and emotional expression or the decorative vocal displays of earlier Italian opera. Bellini laid the foundations for the later works of Verdi and Puccini.

The National Anthem

The Irish National Anthem was written in English by Peader Kearney in 1907. It was called "The Soldier's Song". Kearney was an uncle of the playwright, Brendan Behan. After the 1916 Easter Rising the song was designated as the national anthem. It is important that we know our national anthem, so here are the words in Irish and also a simple arrangement which anyone can play on a keyboard instrument.