CMDC MINI TOUR: CRYMYCH TO CORK

All began well aboard our Midway Motors’ Coach and on to the Fishguard to Rosslare Ferry until the ferry broke down in sight of Rosslare harbour where the next four hours were spent at anchor while repairs were carried out. Thankfully the sea was calm but the arrival at the Madron Hotel in Cork at 2am was not the best of starts. Never missing an opportunity to sing however, a short performance was given to entertain the other passengers on the becalmed vessel.
 
Friday saw us travel to St Catherine’s Cultural Centre, Kinsale. This former church making a delightful setting for a ‘sold out’ concert where we gave our first performance of ‘Danny Boy’, which included a verse and chorus in the Welsh words written by the late Goronwy Morgan, a much loved and respected former member of CMDC.
Our varied programme was extremely well received and also afforded us the chance to show off some impressive talents in our ranks, namely Guy Edwards (Tenor), the trio of Bob, Alun and Gwynlais, and the ever-entertaining monologist John Lloyd.
Retiring to a local hotel for our afterglow we found ourselves singing for a newly wed couple who were holding their evening reception in the same venue.
 
The theme was to continue the following day as we sang at the wedding of the aforementioned ‘Gron’ Morgan’s grandson James, to his Irish bride Rita. This was in fact the original purpose of our visit to Ireland. Had this been a concert we would be saying that we sang to a very large, very appreciative audience who responded enthusiastically to our programme of Welsh, Irish and Italian items. Except of course they were there to celebrate the the marriage of James and Rita to which we were honoured to be invited.
 
We were guided throughout by the consummate skill of Elaine Robins our MD, and supported by our so skilful guest accompanist Rhiannon Williams.
 
The tour organised by Peter Oliver was deemed by all to be a great success and was rounded off by a visit to Blarney Castle where a short impromptu outdoor performance was capped by the resident piper accompanying us in a rendering of ‘Calon Lan’.
 
Written by Peter Edkins