Irish Lyric Tenor Paddy Homan Coming to Maine to Share His Talents By Virginia Ray August 15, 2002 York County Coast Star Kennebunk- It is through the friendship of Robert and Nona Lyons  of   Lower  Village, Kennebunk, and Paddy Homan of Cork, Ireland, that Homan is arriving this week to share his talent as an Irish lyric tenor with those of us here in York County. The Lyons’ discovered Homan while they were on an 18-month education sabbatical in Cork, Ireland this past year. As part of fitting into the lifestyle there, the Lyons often would travel and especially enjoyed the western counties and the Dingle Peninsula. It was there at the Tighe Pheig Pub while attending the Sunday traditional Irish music session that they first heard him sing and they soon became close friends. Homan will be a house guest of the Lyons until after Labor Day. The Lyons' have arranged bookings for him including one next Wednesday at the York Senior College at the University of Maine, Saco/Sanford. It will be held at the First Baptist Church in Springvale at 6:30 p.m. His concert will be the featured event at the opening ceremonies which will herald the new school year especially designed for senior citizens.There will be a concert at the Senior Center at Lower Village in Kennebunk on Thursday Aug. 29 from 2:30 to 4 p.m. There is limited seating, so first-come, first-served. Donations at the door are suggested. Call 967-8514 to reserve. Other bookings have been made for him during his stay in New England. Although only 27 years old, Homan has already made a name for himself and those who are, fortunate enough to hear him sing will have the privilege of being able to say, "I heard him when," as he goes on to further fame. This is his second visit to the states. Last year he went to Chicago, embracing the feeling of many foreigners who come to our country, that this is a land of opportunity. In addition to his music, Homan is training to be a social worker so he also likes to come to America to experience the diversity of our culture Robert Lyons says of him, "Paddy is the fresh new voice of Ireland with a sound not only of exquisite beauty but of delightful entertainment. He needs no orchestra nor tuxedo to convey 'such sweet sounds that delight and hurt not,' a quote from the Nobel poet, Seamus Heaney. What Waterford crystal is to glass, Paddy's voice is to Irish singing." Although Homan studied classical voice at the Cork School of Music, he now focuses exclusively on Irish traditional music. He said, "I sing traditional Irish songs because they evoke such passion in me. I feel it in my bones, I feel the connection with my ancient Irish Celtic world from which I have come. Mise Erie, (which means 'I am Ireland') in the sounds of such songs." The Lyons’ went to Ireland when Nona was invited to University College Cork to engage in research in teacher education programs. She was invited there because of her work in teacher education programs at several New England colleges. Robert took advantage of their stay to learn more about the history and culture, art, music and literature of his Irish ancestors. He will use this new treasury of knowledge in his own work in Ireland and Maine where he teaches Irish studies in lifelong education programs. Before leaving for Cork, he taught at the ILEAD, the Institute of Lifelong Education at Dartmouth. Previously he was a public school administrator for 30 years in Massachusetts and before that a social worker in New York City. An apartment in the heart of the city and overlooking the River Lee was made available to the Lyons in Cork and this became the base fortheir work and exploration of the country. It gave them an opportunity to become immersed in the life of the people, eventually beginning to feel as Irish as their ancestors. They look forward to returning this fall to Ireland for a six-months' stay and then later sharing their new experiences with people here. Paddy Press Home