IMRO Songwriters Collaboration

IMRO Songwriters’ Collaboration

1998 & 1999 @ Holiday Inn, Killarney, Co. Kerry.

What a treat. If ever there was a busman’s holiday, this was the songwriters’ version of a busman’s holiday – the IMRO Songwriters Collaboration in Co. Kerry. I think 1998 was the first year. I signed up, gave my deposit, which was given straight back when I arrived into the Holiday Inn, Killarney, Co. Kerry. I felt it was a big gift given by IMRO to us lot the songwriters for all the years working on our own work. I certainly appreciated it. Not only did I appreciate the opportunity and the meeting up with others and the good company for a number of days, I appreciated the profiteroles..the lovely dinners, lunchtime soup and sandwiches, the breakfasts, laid on, all for us, for nada.

Every morning after breakfast all our names were put into a hat, and then picked and paired up into twos to go write and compose a song for the day. Later we all booked a time to record our work of the day in the ‘recording studio’ set up in one of the Holiday Inn Suites.

In 1998, I co-wrote with – Ben Prevo; Bill Bonner; Rob Burke.

In 1999, I co-wrote with – Una O’Boyle; Tom Bolger; Dominic Madden; Jennie Kilroy.

The IMRO Songwriters’ Collaboration / Collaborative Songwriters’ Workshop @ the Holiday Inn, Killarney took place over four weeks in November 1998, and six weeks in October-December 1999. In 1998, over 70 songwriters participated and in 1999 over 130 songwriters participated. This project was organised by Keith Donald and funded by IMRO.

I would like to add – Many Thanks to Donal McGuirk.

To listen to the song Wonder, Charm, and Surprise co-written with Ben Prevo, and performed Here by The Keanettes, that featured on their album The Keanettes.

Irish Music Rights Organisation (IMRO)

Joan Walsh 2014

 

IMRO Songwriters’ Collaboration                  Traditional Irish Music Course