Richard Dawkins and Ireland

Richard Dawkins discussed his latest book "The Greatest Show on Earth" at the RDS Concert Hall in Dublin on the 17th September 2009.
Talking to Richard Dawkins as he signed my copy of his book was indeed a pleasure.
Charles Darwin's work on Evolution has been championed by Dawkins for more than a decade now and his impact on the scientific world has been extraordinary.

This book is well worth acquiring.

Elvis Presley and the, "My Happiness" Acetate,. 2009.

Thanks to the good ol' telephone I was able to speak to Ed Leek (See below) last night for about 20 minutes.

He is bravely facing serious medication and is confident and upbeat about it all.

Ed is a very articulate man and it's a pleasure to listen to him talk about life in general, world wars and the propaganda about them. Hollywoods over the top portrayal of the conflicts and family, travel, and of course the acetate recording by Elvis that he is eager to find a good home for.

The advertisement for the, Elvis Presley in Concert, event appeared in "The Irish Times" newspaper some weeks ago. The ground-breaking concert was first seen in Memphis 1997 and has toured the world since.

It will be back in Ireland March 2010.

The Iveagh Gardens Dublin Ireland.

Beethoven Central Park NY.

Letter to the Editor.

Published in The Irish Times 12th June 2009

Classical proposal for Iveagh Gardens Dublin

Madam, – The Minister of State Dr Martin Mansergh TD, in turning down my idea for “Ireland’s National Music Sculpture Park” to be located in the Iveagh Gardens, in Dublin, stated the Iveagh Gardens are intended for “passive recreation”.
This weekend thousands of people will be trampling the green lawns of the Iveagh Gardens as they partake in a four-day long Taste of Dublin food festival! A comedy festival in the public Iveagh Gardens will follow in July.
I had envisaged sculptures of Ludwig Van Beethoven, Mozart, etc, along with our own Irish composers joining the fine life-sized bronze statue of John McCormack in the Iveagh Gardens, as a prestigious tourist attraction for Ireland.
The Society of Irish Composers thinks it an excellent idea, Senator David Norris does too, along with many other politicians.
Ireland could be the first country in the world to open a park dedicated to music-related sculpture on a large scale. The proximity of our National Concert Hall could help to ensure such an endeavour would be very successful.
Classical music concerts could help cover the cost of commissioning the works of music-related artwork.
Food for thought? – Yours, etc,
Maurice Colgan.

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/letters/2009/0612/1224248683172.html

My Happiness.

Update 20th May 2009. http://www.wildroverclothing.com

This cover made by Rex an Elvis fan.

Update 10th May 2009

Ed Leek and his wife on a Caribean cruise.

See Ed's amazing story below.

Elvis Presley's 1953 "My Happiness", Disc

The Holy Grail of Rock 'n' Roll owned by Elvis's school pal Ed Leek is for Sale!

Ed is seen here with Marion Keisker of Sun Records identifying the original 1953 recording.

The value of this uique and historic recording has yet to be ascertained.

If at all interested please contact me by email. Maurice_Colgan@yahoo.com

Updated. 12th October 2009. More info and photos concerning the historic disc will appear here soon.

Beethoven's "Irish" Symphony.

Beethoven's magnificent 7th Symphony uses the Irish song "Save me from the Grave and Wise", for the frantic forth movement of this great work.

The sound is unmistakably Irish.

A very wild and exhilarating dance for a Michael Flatley! ?

Today I purchased the Complete Works of Beethoven on 100 CDs! An early birthday gift for meself, I deserve it. :-)

Ireland's National Music Sculpture Park.

Beethoven memorial in China!

Update News 30th May 2009.
Support for the Music Park idea is flooding in.

Senator, David Norris, has kindly offered his support in a reply to my email.
Irish Goverment Ministers are now aware of the idea.

Dr. John McLachlan

Executive Director
Association of Irish Composers

supports the idea.

"Ireland's National Music Park", discussed at the AIC'S, AGM.



The famous Irish Composer and Harpist.
Along with John Field,Thomas Moore, and Opera soprano Margaret Sheridan we could have memorials to Bach, Beethoven, Brahms and Tchaikovsky etc. The idea is still in it's embryonic stage, but gathering momentum by the minute as word of it spreads across the globe, thanks to the Internet.


A very nice Christmas present.