tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-104202462024-03-08T00:28:35.316-08:00Discovering Ireland.Photographs of Beautiful IrelandAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12439850214337798667noreply@blogger.comBlogger19125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10420246.post-50253951489038450992016-03-09T08:36:00.003-08:002016-03-09T08:36:54.022-08:00About Painting a Portrait of Maureen<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-M_RPDRgYPWs/VuBMP5WU1KI/AAAAAAAAA5U/rXit03nFBUU/s1600/DSCF4684.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-M_RPDRgYPWs/VuBMP5WU1KI/AAAAAAAAA5U/rXit03nFBUU/s320/DSCF4684.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
February 9th 2016. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
When a very ambitious young amateur artist I thought nothing of attempting to copy pictures painted by the likes of, Leonardo, Rembrandt, Constable, Van Gogh, Monet, Paul Henry and of course the wonderful, Renoir, seen above. 'Maternity'.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Nowadays I am far more likely to be found portraying famous Irish landscapes and seascapes. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Always a frustrating pastime but often rewarding as more than 600 works of mine have been sold. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Today...or tomorrow I hope to start a portrait of Maureen.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Very sadly Maureen passed away last September and I am still reeling from the blow. We were married for almost 56 years. She was ..is, the love of my life.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I painted Maureen many decades ago and the picture can only be found on an old photograph of my son, John it can bee seen over his shoulder on the snap</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
. The portrait of Maureen was hung on the wall of our last home in the UK for many years. </div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12439850214337798667noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10420246.post-40074488850012999822016-02-02T00:33:00.004-08:002016-03-07T22:22:01.410-08:00Welcome my twitter followers. Ireland's Part in the Elvis Presley Story.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-up6twUlsQeI/Vtma0VZ3o5I/AAAAAAAAA5E/dmYyJS7srvc/s1600/DSCF4671%2B%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-up6twUlsQeI/Vtma0VZ3o5I/AAAAAAAAA5E/dmYyJS7srvc/s320/DSCF4671%2B%25282%2529.jpg" width="240" /></a>Also on <a href="http://www.twitter.com/">www.twitter.com</a> </div>
<br />
<br />
#Update 8th March 2016. Coming soon. <a href="http://www.irelandtoo.com/">www.irelandtoo.com</a> <br />
<br />
Would this make a good movie?<br />
<br />
This is a bronze statue of "Elvis at 13" years old, by gifted sculptor Michiel Vander Sommen, which is located close to the little house where Elvis Presley was born in Tupelo Mississippi. It was unveiled August 2002. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
In 2002 a statue of 'Elvis at 13' was unveiled by gifted sculptor, Michiel Vander Sommen, following my letter to the Mayor of Tupelo at the time Larry K Otis suggesting a statue of Elvis as a boy would be good for tourism to the city. <br />
<br />
It has been a great success and gives Ireland a nice little part in the Elvis Presley story.<br />
<br />
2017 will be the 40th Anniversary of Elvis's death and the commemorations in the world's media will be momentous! <br />
<br />
Spoke about Elvis to Marian Finucane on RTE1 Radio recently.<br />
<br />
This story and all the unbelievable but true stories that go with it, including mail from Elvis co-stars , Dolores Hart and Anne Helm,a stay in a Memphis penthouse with his cousin, Resolution from the city of Tupelo, a meeting in Dublin with Scotty Moore, and the letters from Graceland dated 1961, plus messages from the Duchess of Devonshire about Elvis, would make a fascinating TV or Radio Documentary. <br />
<br />
Or do I need a Ghost writer?<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12439850214337798667noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10420246.post-42541762418951644652016-01-23T00:09:00.001-08:002016-02-08T11:03:06.122-08:00My Latest Paintings. Fastnet Lighthouse and Skellig Michael.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wYfxi9HB1rg/VqMzLbWRAhI/AAAAAAAAA34/RgiDPBuxmd4/s1600/DSCF4612.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wYfxi9HB1rg/VqMzLbWRAhI/AAAAAAAAA34/RgiDPBuxmd4/s320/DSCF4612.JPG" width="240" /></a> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-S3piGHk7nUw/VrjlNo3L80I/AAAAAAAAA40/dzHF11DvvzY/s1600/DSCF4617.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-S3piGHk7nUw/VrjlNo3L80I/AAAAAAAAA40/dzHF11DvvzY/s320/DSCF4617.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
UPDATE 26th January 2016. </div>
My latest paintings, The Fastnet lighthouse and Skellig Michael off the coast of Kerry Ireland before the "Star Wars" crew arrived. The smaller Island is a home for some 10,000 Gannets!<br />
Maureen was not strong enough to make the exceedingly steep climb with me, back in 2014, so I placed her there myself yesterday. Although she is no more; She remains, Always on My Mind.<br />
The Elvis Presley version off course.<br />
I hope to do a much larger version of the scene later. Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12439850214337798667noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10420246.post-53668522151298375782015-04-03T22:37:00.003-07:002015-04-18T02:53:32.182-07:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-clvm_SPbiEY/VR94FpGRLEI/AAAAAAAAAzM/rgBJMxX_xqk/s1600/DSCF3811.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-clvm_SPbiEY/VR94FpGRLEI/AAAAAAAAAzM/rgBJMxX_xqk/s1600/DSCF3811.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Update 17 April 2015. Busy gardening and spreading flowers around the locality close to our home.<br />
<br />
These new posters will be seen all over Ireland reminding people just how important Elvis Presley was/is to modern culture. <br />
<br />
Elvis is on the building!<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12439850214337798667noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10420246.post-84124998007049782552014-06-11T06:34:00.001-07:002016-02-04T11:31:42.005-08:00‘All Shook Up’ in downtown SanfordUPDATE: 29th March 2015<br />
<br />
This is a page getting a lot of Attention on google yahoo, and webcrawler<br />
<a href="http://mysanfordherald.com/bookmark/25261737/article--All+Shook+Up-+in+downtown+Sanford#.U5hamC-nN-o.blogger">‘The Elvis Presley Festival, Tupelo' I contacted the Mayor of Tupelo back in 1999. I enquired when is the Elvis Presley Day in Tupelo?</a><br />
<br />
A case for Sherlock Holmes. Elementary my fellow Elvis fans.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xiaV85tVnIc/U6BE-a61fUI/AAAAAAAAAvI/gX4UYskVelY/s1600/Scan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xiaV85tVnIc/U6BE-a61fUI/AAAAAAAAAvI/gX4UYskVelY/s1600/Scan.jpg" width="234" /></a>"I will have to get back to you on that" said the Mayor, Glenn L McCullough. Two day later his secretary called us here in Ireland by telephone and said, "The Mayor would like you to know an Elvis Festival will take place in Tupelo next August 1999. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The first, after more than thirty years of virtual inaction.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I believe it came about because of my call to the Mayor. There is bound to be a lot of Elvis stories in the media as we approach the 40th Anniversary of his death. Call me 01 8403685. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
. Enough material for a TV or Radio Documentary.</div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12439850214337798667noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10420246.post-17044672172551766532013-11-18T03:24:00.001-08:002015-03-29T01:12:57.293-07:00Discovering Ireland.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zAmig_2vhOA/U5MPURGToPI/AAAAAAAAAuw/CkUT0cjfBGM/s1600/DSCF2445.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zAmig_2vhOA/U5MPURGToPI/AAAAAAAAAuw/CkUT0cjfBGM/s1600/DSCF2445.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Update 29th March 2015. </div>
7th June 2014.<br />
My wife Maureen and I <br />
placed the Irish tricolour in the hand of the bronze statue of 'Elvis at 13' recently because the idea of portraying Elvis as a boy came all the way from Ireland to Tupelo Mississippi via snail mail to the Mayor, Larry K Otis, in 2001. He wasted no time and the statue was unveiled on Elvis's birthday the 8th of January, 2002. A story in search of a Documentary maker. Where's RTE! Or Any adventurous folk willing to take on an extraordinary Elvis Presley saga. Yes saga!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Kate Bush on the cover of Classic Pop magazine, 10 page coverage of her astonishing career in music.<br />
<br />
Whytes Rock 'n' Roll memorabilia catalogue now available online. Hard copies at their premises.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mHHGgCEAvCw/U3kuAqdTpyI/AAAAAAAAAuI/NuO7my0cZh8/s1600/Scan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mHHGgCEAvCw/U3kuAqdTpyI/AAAAAAAAAuI/NuO7my0cZh8/s1600/Scan.jpg" height="320" width="234" /></a></div>
A Kate Bush letter to me is included, plus some of my Elvis related photos from movie stars. <br />
<br />
The proposed Tupelo Elvis Trail is a most welcome development.<br />
<br />
#News Update June 2014.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
For Los Angeles Times readers, Kate Bush, below.<br />
Below, Elvis wearing green in 1956.<br />
Elvis on the cover of Vintage Rock magazine this month. 60th Anniversary 10 page feature.<br />
PRISCILLA PRESLEY visit's Elvis Presley's birthplace in Tupelo MS last Saturday and looks upon the statue of "Elvis at 13", by sculptor Michiel Van der Sommen, from an idea first proposed by an Elvis fan in Ireland! Priscilla received a miniature version of the statue as a gift. <br />
Story in the Washington Post and travelling around the world. <br />
<br />
The sculptor mentioned above, has included the photo of Priscilla with his statue of Elvis, on his website!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5uGcnVrbtEg/Uwmu0i3rb1I/AAAAAAAAAtM/BWartTxvz8U/s1600/1959552_10203416534998470_37111189_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5uGcnVrbtEg/Uwmu0i3rb1I/AAAAAAAAAtM/BWartTxvz8U/s1600/1959552_10203416534998470_37111189_n.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-z6UmJTpKp1k/UpC1zmD5MyI/AAAAAAAAAsQ/6gifLhtQEkg/s1600/Scan201.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-z6UmJTpKp1k/UpC1zmD5MyI/AAAAAAAAAsQ/6gifLhtQEkg/s320/Scan201.jpg" height="320" width="234" /></a>Richard Dawkins a huge fan of Elvis's Gospel music in his teens! The book is a fascinating look back on his extraordinary life.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RU8cKLEUNF4/UyaqHchPnjI/AAAAAAAAAtg/Z2roGHQLEng/s1600/1901250_10203607971066317_1948212853_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RU8cKLEUNF4/UyaqHchPnjI/AAAAAAAAAtg/Z2roGHQLEng/s1600/1901250_10203607971066317_1948212853_n.jpg" height="187" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Marilyn Mason dancing with Elvis. <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZZkeI1R__FU/Uon3_Li1tfI/AAAAAAAAAsA/GKfS14xXVwU/s1600/Scan17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZZkeI1R__FU/Uon3_Li1tfI/AAAAAAAAAsA/GKfS14xXVwU/s320/Scan17.jpg" height="320" width="234" /></a></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12439850214337798667noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10420246.post-16938788505416472392013-11-04T11:54:00.002-08:002015-03-29T01:16:11.160-07:00Mary Tyler Moore.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vvGMmhyqh44/Unf69yqLrfI/AAAAAAAAArw/vidr5g7jyVM/s1600/Scan11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vvGMmhyqh44/Unf69yqLrfI/AAAAAAAAArw/vidr5g7jyVM/s320/Scan11.jpg" width="234" /></a>Sent from her office in New York more than ten years ago.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
She starred in Elvis Presley's last film, Change of Habit, as a Nun!</div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12439850214337798667noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10420246.post-12373744715279524262013-09-28T23:00:00.003-07:002015-03-29T01:16:11.157-07:00Kate Bush and Elvis Presley.. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-E5MpBoaLBBk/UkfAp9IFccI/AAAAAAAAArA/tZ-w60WP9Q4/s1600/KateBush1984.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-E5MpBoaLBBk/UkfAp9IFccI/AAAAAAAAArA/tZ-w60WP9Q4/s320/KateBush1984.jpg" height="320" width="258" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Kate bush is in the news! March 21st 2014.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
A photo of Kate Bush signed top left but a little sun faded. It came with a typed and signed letter from Kate in reply to a letter from me in 1984.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
What an astounding artist she is.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Her tribute to Elvis Presley, the song, 'King of the Mountain', came as a great and most welcome surprise.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12439850214337798667noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10420246.post-76580675938747283252013-09-25T01:23:00.000-07:002015-03-29T01:16:11.203-07:00Discovering Ireland.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BIi3uWFuOVw/UkKcbP_NwVI/AAAAAAAAAqw/sgqyUH4A_TI/s1600/DSCF1782.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BIi3uWFuOVw/UkKcbP_NwVI/AAAAAAAAAqw/sgqyUH4A_TI/s320/DSCF1782.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
Doolin harbour county Clare Ireland. Irish music, great food, and lively conversations with people from all over the world makes Doolin a place of special interest to tourists that appreciate absolutely beautiful scenery and ancient prehistoric monuments and stone forts.<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12439850214337798667noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10420246.post-28207772006347145082013-07-10T08:47:00.001-07:002015-03-29T01:16:11.178-07:00Knocknarea County Sligo Ireland.<span id="goog_293532107"></span><span id="goog_293532108">Update July 11th 2013. Finally made the difficult climb (For this senior citizen) up to Queen Maeve's Tomb on Knocknarea last Saturday.</span><br />
Spectacular views of the surrounding countryside and Atlantic ocean. <br />
<br />
Ancient Queen Maeve's tomb is located atop 327 metres high Knocknarea it dominates the area from afar.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://imageshack.us/a/img802/3777/9x3w.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://imageshack.us/a/img802/3777/9x3w.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://imageshack.us/a/img203/6497/mr7z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://imageshack.us/a/img203/6497/mr7z.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Horse shoe valley north of Glencar. A quiet and peaceful place. Especially in the evening.</div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12439850214337798667noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10420246.post-65744205071481558862013-04-13T05:06:00.002-07:002015-03-29T01:16:11.200-07:00Discovering Ireland.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nlN5rqGKBP4/UWlJT8YgK_I/AAAAAAAAAoQ/_Xaf5I_nup8/s1600/DSCF1099.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nlN5rqGKBP4/UWlJT8YgK_I/AAAAAAAAAoQ/_Xaf5I_nup8/s320/DSCF1099.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
UPDATE. 13th June 2013. Was in Galway, Connemara, Achill island, Roscommon, Sligo, leitrim and Wicklow recently. The beautiful weather drew us. Now back to Guerilla gardening as the rain helps the flowers and plants to flourish in Swords 'Botanic' gardens. :-)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Howth harbour county Dublin Ireland. 12th of April 2013. The small island in the background is Ireland's eye. It has a 'tear', and a Martello tower.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pMsWUuPeVM8/UWpDNZXt4xI/AAAAAAAAAog/eINpVQYEyow/s1600/DSCF1108.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pMsWUuPeVM8/UWpDNZXt4xI/AAAAAAAAAog/eINpVQYEyow/s320/DSCF1108.JPG" width="320" /></a>Maureen my wife on Howth pier with Ireland's eye island in the background. 12th April 2013.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-epF8B_p38BM/UXOSPGpDM1I/AAAAAAAAApA/UvKysvpmdw4/s1600/DSCF1115.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-epF8B_p38BM/UXOSPGpDM1I/AAAAAAAAApA/UvKysvpmdw4/s320/DSCF1115.JPG" width="320" /></a>Martello tower on Ireland's eye, island. From Howth pier.,</div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12439850214337798667noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10420246.post-79554474265087020552013-04-08T00:09:00.000-07:002015-03-29T01:16:11.208-07:00Guerilla Gardening 2013.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oQFV038CxBs/UWJr5i5VzMI/AAAAAAAAAoA/wrHBnzjCUc4/s1600/sweetpea002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oQFV038CxBs/UWJr5i5VzMI/AAAAAAAAAoA/wrHBnzjCUc4/s320/sweetpea002.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Wildflowers are fairly easy to grow and many are self propagating which means you can collect the seeds at the end of the flowering season and multiply your collection year by year. Cornflowers, pot marigolds, nasturtiums and poppies etc., make a colourful display in no time at all.<br />
<br />
Guerilla gardening enhances your local environment and keeps you fit for free! :-)Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12439850214337798667noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10420246.post-76748644856602233282013-04-07T01:15:00.000-07:002015-03-29T01:16:11.205-07:00Letters From Graceland 1961.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YogszU5fSqk/UWEnDLmMmeI/AAAAAAAAAn0/StnAvvlnLwE/s1600/aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaabbbb3+004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="350" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YogszU5fSqk/UWEnDLmMmeI/AAAAAAAAAn0/StnAvvlnLwE/s400/aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaabbbb3+004.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
This article appeared in The News of the World, 1997. In the UK and Ireland. 4.5 million copies were sold at that time.<br />
The story continued in The Irish Times and on RTE1 Radio. <br />
It lead to my wife and I winning a trip to Graceland. An invitation to The International Conference on Elvis Presley at Mississippi University 1999, a weeks stay in Memphis as a guest of an Elvis cousin 2002, Then a statue of Elvis in Tupelo Mississippi 2003, involvement in the 'My Happiness' and Ed Leek story 2010, and sale of 'That's All Right', by Whyte's auctioneers in Dublin recently!<br />
<br />
There is a lot more but you would just not believe it! <br />
<br />
Film script writers and TV documentary makers would be most welcome. <br />
<a href="mailto:Maurice_Colgan@yahoo.com">Maurice_Colgan@yahoo.com</a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mM09XxFMVbM/UWpK8CmmZrI/AAAAAAAAAow/zLTvvwZw8wU/s1600/51UyALT4nwL._SL500_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mM09XxFMVbM/UWpK8CmmZrI/AAAAAAAAAow/zLTvvwZw8wU/s320/51UyALT4nwL._SL500_.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12439850214337798667noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10420246.post-19200757572880176852013-04-03T05:42:00.003-07:002015-03-29T01:16:11.170-07:00Irelandtoo<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lH-_Ld0fjsI/UV05X_iIC2I/AAAAAAAAAmw/4ojZoYlMy-k/s1600/DSCF1081.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lH-_Ld0fjsI/UV05X_iIC2I/AAAAAAAAAmw/4ojZoYlMy-k/s320/DSCF1081.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
Sand dunes at Malahide county Dublin Ireland. Last weekend. <br />
<br />
<br />
Discovering Ireland is again on the cards as the sunshine has arrived here in Ireland<br />
<div style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Howth county Dublin as seen from Malahide.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LCfo7Xczx44/UVxtUuuwsII/AAAAAAAAAmg/stzd9nUUESo/s1600/DSCF1084.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LCfo7Xczx44/UVxtUuuwsII/AAAAAAAAAmg/stzd9nUUESo/s320/DSCF1084.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Where my wife Maureen and I live. Swords county Dublin Ireland, ancient Round Tower. Hundreds of years old.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
S<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4uWLZloWzVQ/UVxHgyBhDtI/AAAAAAAAAmQ/lK4SGMUmLTQ/s1600/DSCF1086.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4uWLZloWzVQ/UVxHgyBhDtI/AAAAAAAAAmQ/lK4SGMUmLTQ/s320/DSCF1086.JPG" width="240" /></a>rds</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Swords Round Tower </div>
<img height="72" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OcmS76w1A3Y/UVwlNXERbFI/AAAAAAAAAmA/p8h_vnvgZTo/s320/DSCF1078.JPG" style="left: 676px; opacity: 0.3; position: absolute; top: 20px;" width="96" />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12439850214337798667noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10420246.post-9018122764684205992013-02-27T11:09:00.002-08:002015-03-29T01:16:11.215-07:00An Extraordinary Elvis Presley Related Story.Back in early January 1997 I sent copies of handwritten letters my wife Maureen and I had received from Graceland in 1961, to Pat Kenny on RTE1 Radio. Pat read out the letters that had been authenticated by Sothebys Auctioneers of London, UK., on Elvis Presley's birthday the 8th January 1997. That year was the 20th anniversary of Elvis's tragic death, a landmark time to, at last, release the story to the media.
The song "His Latest Flame", by Elvis was played that morning. It was the first ever publicity for the letters from Elvis.
A great deal of newspaper coverage followed, notably The Irish Times, and, The News of the World, in the UK., and Ireland.
http://www.rockabillyhall.com/ElvisLetters.html Tells and illustrates a portion of the story.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12439850214337798667noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10420246.post-41553461550171946752013-01-21T01:55:00.000-08:002015-03-29T01:16:11.180-07:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wBZ4q-ZgKpE/UP0QWiff_2I/AAAAAAAAAeo/1rT8WCZPmlk/s1600/DSCF1056.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wBZ4q-ZgKpE/UP0QWiff_2I/AAAAAAAAAeo/1rT8WCZPmlk/s320/DSCF1056.JPG" /></a></div>
Janos (Joannes, John) De Tahy (1865-1928) Hungarian born artist. Famous for his allegorical paintings depicting the great composers. His paintings were very popular in the USA, where he lived.
The print above is an example. I love the idea of a flute playing nymph seducing Beethoven. :-)
As the owner of the New York print, I welcome comments and information about the artist.
Maurice_Colgan@yahoo.com Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12439850214337798667noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10420246.post-19123564724269410962009-02-02T08:51:00.000-08:002015-03-29T01:16:11.166-07:00Beethoven's "Irish" Symphony.<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YajuPS1qNHY/SYck-XKQncI/AAAAAAAAAOE/UcUj9P-wR-E/s1600-h/completebeethoven.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5298244140412214722" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 276px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YajuPS1qNHY/SYck-XKQncI/AAAAAAAAAOE/UcUj9P-wR-E/s320/completebeethoven.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>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.</div><div> </div><div>The sound is unmistakably Irish. </div><div> </div><div>A very wild and exhilarating dance for a Michael Flatley! ?</div><div> </div><div>Today I purchased the Complete Works of Beethoven on 100 CDs! An early birthday gift for meself, I deserve it. :-)</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12439850214337798667noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10420246.post-64453561319219229922009-01-10T06:47:00.000-08:002015-03-29T01:16:11.197-07:00Ireland's National Music Sculpture Park.Beethoven memorial in China!<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YajuPS1qNHY/SYce5B-LJdI/AAAAAAAAAN8/L_sgrLgju5U/s1600-h/DSCN1197.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5298237451755267538" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YajuPS1qNHY/SYce5B-LJdI/AAAAAAAAAN8/L_sgrLgju5U/s320/DSCN1197.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YajuPS1qNHY/SX7bBi2w35I/AAAAAAAAANA/1_nnbrajGuw/s1600-h/th_BEETHOVEN002.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 124px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 160px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5295911031417134994" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YajuPS1qNHY/SX7bBi2w35I/AAAAAAAAANA/1_nnbrajGuw/s320/th_BEETHOVEN002.jpg" /></a><br /><br />Update News 30th May 2009.<br />Support for the Music Park idea is flooding in.<br /><br />Senator, David Norris, has kindly offered his support in a reply to my email.<br />Irish Goverment Ministers are now aware of the idea.</div><div><br /></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>Dr. John McLachlan</div><div>Executive Director<br />Association of Irish Composers</div><div>supports the idea.<br /><br />"Ireland's National Music Park", discussed at the AIC'S, AGM.<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_YajuPS1qNHY/SWi1Xrd9oEI/AAAAAAAAAMw/yind3OMu49Y/s1600-h/carolan1.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 293px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289677180756664386" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_YajuPS1qNHY/SWi1Xrd9oEI/AAAAAAAAAMw/yind3OMu49Y/s320/carolan1.jpg" /></a><br /><br />The famous Irish Composer and Harpist.<br />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.<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YajuPS1qNHY/SWi32k_qPhI/AAAAAAAAAM4/1TfRClDrF_w/s1600-h/MOZART.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 233px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289679910618152466" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YajuPS1qNHY/SWi32k_qPhI/AAAAAAAAAM4/1TfRClDrF_w/s320/MOZART.jpg" /></a> A very nice Christmas present.</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12439850214337798667noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10420246.post-23140098705102090132008-07-03T02:34:00.000-07:002015-03-29T01:16:11.172-07:00Famous Irish Tenor, John McCormack 2008.<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YajuPS1qNHY/SHxTq8Fr_8I/AAAAAAAAAHE/uckyPr1N4tE/s1600-h/JohnCountMcCormack.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YajuPS1qNHY/SHxTq8Fr_8I/AAAAAAAAAHE/uckyPr1N4tE/s320/JohnCountMcCormack.jpg" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5223141664992526274" style="cursor: hand;" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YajuPS1qNHY/SGydhdgDbBI/AAAAAAAAAF8/NTIpQEKFkp0/s1600-h/McCormack%20iveagh%20park.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YajuPS1qNHY/SGydhdgDbBI/AAAAAAAAAF8/NTIpQEKFkp0/s320/McCormack%2520iveagh%2520park.jpg" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5218719266395876370" style="cursor: hand;" /></a><br />
<br />
The photo compilation taken July 13 2008.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
This beautiful life-sized bronze statue of the great Irish Tenor John McCormack by gifted sculptor Elizabeth O' Kane, stands in the Iveagh Gardens in Dublin Ireland. Fittingly it is close to the National Concert Hall.<br />
<br />
John McCormack conquered the hearts of millions of people with his wonderful voice especially in America.<br />
Curiously, the unveiling of the statue on the 19th of June 2008 was overlooked by the Irish TV, radio and newspapers! here it is privately done http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=148BgH_zQvc<br />
<br />
There are many samples of John McCormack's amazing voice on youtube.com, even scenes from historic movies, and Concerts.<br />
Everyone with an ear for song, from Caruso to Callas and on, would/can only marvel at this wonderful singer's extraordinary career.<br />
<br />
An estimated audience of one MILLION people at the Eucharistic Congress in Dublin's Phoenix Park 1932 witnessed his performance.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12439850214337798667noreply@blogger.com0