By Carol Standish
August 22, 2002
The Tourist News
One Sunday afternoon last winter, Kennebunk residents Nona and Bob Lyons were sitting in a pub
in Cork, Ireland, soaking up the atmosphere. That particular pub was known for its performances of traditional Irish music."This voice welled up from a stool at the bar," recalls Bob Lyons. It was a "one of a kind voice" that brought Lyons out of his chair and up to the bar for an introduction.
The voice belonged to Paddy Homan who, as it turned out, was a student in social work at University College Cork, the very school where Nona Lyons was engaged in research on the scholarship of teaching. A friendship swiftly formed. Bob Lyons, a retired school administrator, had spent a good deal of his 18 months in Ireland "rummaging around" in the country's political and musical history. The two are inextricably entwined in the traditional music.. ."On one night at one pub we relived 300 years of Irish history. . . right up to today," Lyons recalls.
Homan is a devotee of Irish traditional songs. His signature song is "Roisin Dubh" ("My Dark Rosa-leen"), a 17th century love song that has served as Ireland's unofficial national anthem since the 1950s. "Through the music of the people, an ancient song gets 'recycled,'" says Lyons. The talented 27-yearold sings ancient and contemporary, funny songs, mournful songs, love ballads, jigs and dances in both Gaelic and English "sean nos" (una-ccompanied). He possesses a mastery of the uniqueness of intervals between the notes in the melody; scholars think that phenomenon places Celtic music origins in North Africa and farther east."Though he is at the beginning of his career, his talent is mature," says Lyons who has grown from friend and admirer to promoter/manager.
Having organized several programs and benefits in and around Cork (Homan debuted on Irish radio in March), Lyons has arranged for Homan to visit Maine where his extraordinary voice can be relished in several performances in late August. "Producing this program is the most fun I've ever had," says Lyons. Homan has no intention of giving up his career in social work, however. "His singing infuses his social work and vice versa," says Lyons. Homan came from a working class background and experienced his father's life as a dock worker, and he has had an odd-job career as furniture mover, porter and nurses' aid at Mercy Hospital in Cork. "He is deeply committed to helping the people of Ireland in service and in song," says Lyons.
Homan will appear at the kickoff celebration of the new York County Senior College in Springvale to be held at the First Baptist Church in Springvale. That concert will take place on Wednesday, August 28, at 6:30 PM. On Thursday, August 29, at 2:30 PM, Homan will present an afternoon program of Irish traditional music at the Senior Center at Kennebunk Lower Village. Tickets are $5 payable at the door.
Seating is limited and reservations are suggested.
Call 967-8514
Paddy Press
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