VAN IN EIRE TV TRIBUTE TO BOMB VICTIMS
Van in Eire TV tribute to bomb victims
By IAN STARRETT
BELFAST superstar Van Morrison led RTE's tribute to the Omagh massacre victims last night.
The Eire TV station invited the music legend to perform a musical tribute during this week's two-day marathon broadcast of the Rose of Tralee beauty pageant which ended last night, one of the biggest programmes of the year.
Host Marty Whelan said: "We decided that we had to do something as a mark of respect on this, probably our biggest TV show of our year.
"One phone call was made and Van didn't hesitate. He said 'Yes, just Yes'."
Various other Northern Ireland and Eire musicians who backed ex-Them frontman Van on stage at the Brandon Hotel cancelled prior arrangements to travel to County Kerry to join in the special musical tribute.
Mr Whelan said: "The first man he called in was one of the finest guitarists in the world, Arty McGlynn, who ironically is from Omagh."
RTE asked McGlynn to take its condolences back to his home town.
Mr Whelan added: "No one can write lyrics like Van. No one can offer the spiritual enlightenment which we and he hope will go some way in helping the people of Omagh."
Morrison moved the audience to tears with his heart-tugging renditions of his hits Our Own Ones and The Healing Game.
Among the 40th anniversary Rose of Tralee pageant contestants who shared the stage with Morrison was 23-year-old Londonderry-born Cathy Orr, who was , representing the South of England.
By IAN STARRETT
BELFAST superstar Van Morrison led RTE's tribute to the Omagh massacre victims last night.
The Eire TV station invited the music legend to perform a musical tribute during this week's two-day marathon broadcast of the Rose of Tralee beauty pageant which ended last night, one of the biggest programmes of the year.
Host Marty Whelan said: "We decided that we had to do something as a mark of respect on this, probably our biggest TV show of our year.
"One phone call was made and Van didn't hesitate. He said 'Yes, just Yes'."
Various other Northern Ireland and Eire musicians who backed ex-Them frontman Van on stage at the Brandon Hotel cancelled prior arrangements to travel to County Kerry to join in the special musical tribute.
Mr Whelan said: "The first man he called in was one of the finest guitarists in the world, Arty McGlynn, who ironically is from Omagh."
RTE asked McGlynn to take its condolences back to his home town.
Mr Whelan added: "No one can write lyrics like Van. No one can offer the spiritual enlightenment which we and he hope will go some way in helping the people of Omagh."
Morrison moved the audience to tears with his heart-tugging renditions of his hits Our Own Ones and The Healing Game.
Among the 40th anniversary Rose of Tralee pageant contestants who shared the stage with Morrison was 23-year-old Londonderry-born Cathy Orr, who was , representing the South of England.
Further Information
Publisher: NEWS LETTER
Ref: NL/122
Published Date: 27-Aug-98
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