Some Wonderful Memories
of Local Irish Gatherings
By GERRY O'KEEFE
President, White Rock Irish Club
VANCOUVER - It's always a shock when someone as vital as Pat Warren leaves us, but with that shock this time came a jolt to the memory as I recall some of the events in which Pat played a large part and in which your writer was privileged to participate.
Our first meeting was at a gathering at Martin and Kathy King's home in Surrey, an event which was to be repeated with many wonderful nights/mornings.
The "Dubs," as we country folk called them would arrive, led by Pat and Brenda, usually accompanied by the late Paddy Byrne and his wife Maureen and sometimes Babs McConville.
Lending more spice to the proceedings would be the late erudite and gentlemanly Bill Forbes along with also departed, fun-loving Billy Connen and June, as well as Lily Kelly and her late husband Jack.
The ceol would start with Paddy Byrne playing the piano, sometimes supported by Kathy King's brothers, Derm and Kevin on the guitars.
Almost simultaneously came the vocal delights. Was there competition or what?
Brenda singing Skibereen; June, Carrickfergus; and Babs, The Four Green Fields. Each supporting the other while at the same time competing.
Pat, not then a vocal performer, would be the informal Master of Ceremonies and he had to be strict to ensure articulate theatrical offerings by Margaret Forbes would not be drowned out in the craic.
Of course other participants also made valued and heart-felt contributions - who would not want to hear our Athenry host sing The Galway Shawl or his wife Kathy singing like "an Irish linnet"?
We had a ton of fun and break-up time was usually about 2 AM, but not before we had solid refreshments (top of the liquid) from Kathy and Martin's generous table.
Then came St. Patrick's with Pat playing MC for most of the day at the Heritage Hall on Main Street in Vancouver.
I remember him as being especially supportive of the children, ensuring they were fully included in the dancing and other activities.
I have an extremely vivid memory of Pat when he performed in the play Happy As Larry on Main Street. Bill Forbes had asked your writer to record the song from the play called Little Molly Branigan - tough to learn - with little or no melody.
The great redeeming feature was that I was allowed to take a place in the wings. The dialogue I heard from Pat that night was almost beyond belief.
It seemed to flow from him flawlessly for extended periods and I did not see a prompter.
It doesn't take much imagination to realize the hours and hours Pat must have spent to memorize all these lines. That, I think, typifies the man: A doer, a performer, and a great proponent of Irish culture.
Thank you Pat for the many wonderful memories and for supporting our little club in White Rock. Our heartfelt sympathy to Brenda and the family. Ar dheish De go raibh a anam uasal.
"He shall not hear the bittern cry
In the wild sky where he is lain,
Nor voices of the sweeter birds
Above the wailing of the rain.
Nor shall he know when loud March blows
Thro slanting snows her fanfare shrill,
Blowing to flame the golden cup
Of many an upset daffodil.
But when the Dark Cow leaves the moor,
and pastures poor with greedy weeds,
Perhaps he'll hear low at morn
Lifting her horn in pleasant meads.
- Thomas Macdonagh
| 
