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William Dunlea - The Voice of Erin

William Dunlea  -  The Voice of Erin:  Exhibition based on the scrapbooks of William Dunlea is on display at Cork City Library, Central Library, Grand Parade, from 1 December 2009 to mark the launch of his biography, by the Cork Music Archive, Cork City Libraries on Tuesday 9 December at 7.00pm. The biography “William Dunlea: The Voice of Erin” is written by well known Cork author Jim Mc Keon.

“He was a great Irishman, a proud Corkman but a quintessential Blackpool boy” quote from book.

“He once said he’d rather be appreciated in Cork than in Carnegie Hall” “If you pass Cork you’ll pass the world” J Mc Keon.

In the foreword to the book City Librarian, Liam Ronayne, said “The man popularly known as the `voice of Erin’ not only in his native Blackpool and Cork, but in Britain and U.S. , still casts a long shadow. Jim Mc Keon’s biography will bring his story to a wider audience.

Jim Mc Keon is a well-known Cork novelist and biographer and the book is generously illustrated with photographs, programmes, posters and newspaper clippings.

He achieved critical acclaim in 1938 when he won his first national competition “Newcomer’s Hour” with Radio Eireann.

In 1939 he won a gold medal in the `Discover McCormack’ competition run by RE to find the singer to succeed McCormack.

He won the gold medal at the Feis Ceoil in 1944 and this was a watershed in his life.

The book examines his early life, growing up in Blackpool, the family’s republican sympathies, as well as his singing career from the earliest days, His time in London with the BBC, his extended tour of the US and his famous concerts in Cork .

-He played the accordion and many other instruments.

-He was a champion bowl-player

-He was a deeply religious man

-An accomplished painter

-An ardent Glen Rovers supporter and friend of Jack Lynch.

Launch Tuesday 9 December 2008 at 7.00 p.m. at the City Library, Grand Parade, Cork .

All welcome

Details from Cork City Library 021 4924900

Cork City Library website

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