My daughter married the Great nephew of Brendan O'Dowda and I love that my own Mother taught me these Percy French songs when I was young. Now I can sing them to my little, baby Grandson the Great-grand nephew of Brendan O'Dowda. This tribute by one lovely, talented man for another, has touched my soul.
well tonight is St Patricks night " and i have been watching this video , and now i am a boy again listening too my dad singing these songs .... oh the memories.
What a beautiful documentary on a beautiful soul! His poems, his water colors, and his songs spoke to my soul and both bonded them to me as well as placing in me Irish soul. Brendan O'Dowd brought Percy French to me with his unsurpassed beautiful voice and singing. I simultaneously became a fan of Percy French and Brendan O'Dowda.
As a youth I once attended a concert in Cushendall parochial hall where Brendan O Dowda supported by the RTE light Orchestra gave an incredible performance it was being recorded for a radio programme, the man was an incredible talent and a Great Irishman.
Percy French in my opinion was the greatest songwriter of all time his lyrics and melodies were brillant. This is what songwriting is all about. Fantastic video thanks a million Robbie Dunn Brisbane Australia
This has brought back memories of my father, who loved singing "Come Back, Paddy Reilly", and "The Mountains of Mourne" back when I was a boy. Thanks for uploading this.
What a treat you've provided! I grew up among LPs of Brendan O'Dowda singing Percy French & O'Dowda remains for me the definitive Percy French interpreter. A rare gem.
A delightful gem of a recording. I had the great good fortune to be taken to "The Golden Years" in Roscommon featuring Brendan and Milo O'Shea, attended I believe by Percy's two daughters, a great pleasure to find this video. Well done. Paddy Wilkinson
Thanks a million for uploading this great video....Brendan o Dowda was by the far the best interpreter of Percy French's great songs...sadly both this great singer and all those unforgettable have fallen out of favour over the years, but as we well know these things are inclined to be cyclical and nothing is surer but these great songs will one day be rediscovered and appreciated all over again. they are, after all, an important part of 'The Great Irish Songbook'
Congratulations for putting this video up on youtube. A real gem. Great to hear the Percy French story combined with the greatest interpreter of French's songs, Brendan O'Dowda.
After watching Callum played for Boys in Green, I was astonished to realise that Callum was the grandson of this man, Brendan. Brendan's voice will never die no matter what.
Thank you so much for posting this delightful gem. I had also recorded it in the 1980's but my tape & VHS player are both defunct. Never thought I would ever see it again until I found your site ... great work. Some years ago I asked UTV if they could supply a DVD copy and they quoted me a price ...£100 !!
A non-professional singer myself, I often will sing solo songs for the entertainment of folks in local senior residences & care homes, as a part of our choir of some 30 people, consisting of 6 men plus 24 ladies. I myself originate from the Isle of Wight, whilst my fair colleen of some 64 years hails from the northwest corner of Londonderry, in an area known as Ballymagroarty. Somehow, over the years, I have acquired the ability to imitate the Irish brogue in speech & song so, I often will sing Irish songs, particularly around St..Patrick's day. I like to search out 'real' Irish songs, such as these written by Percy French. My wife's family were acquainted with relatives of Mr. French &, through that connection, we became the owners of Volumes 1 & 2 of "Songs of Percy French". I have chosen "Mc.Breen's Heifer" for my solo in our spring concert's which I hope will be accepted as a light-hearted comedy piece. Another one I intend to sing at a later date is all about a disrupted train ride that Mr.French endured at one time in his travels & wrote about it in song which, apparently infuriated the owner of the rail service who, I'm told, threatened legal action for ridiculing his business. It would appear he reconsidered his thoughts & there was no law-suit. The name of the song is: "Are You Right There Michael, Are You Right?" I'm not sure which rail line he used, it might have been The Swilly. Another favourite is "Slattery's Mounted Fut" . . . all great songs with a story behind them that I like to relate to the audience ahead of the song. Anyway, I love all songs of Percy French as well as other Irish songs . . . many of which were written in U.S.A. for musical shows or movies. My personal favourite is one they used as background music in the movie "The Quiet Man" . . . starring John Wayne & Maureen O'Hara. Better known for his many western theme (Cowboy) movies, I believe this to be one of John Wayne's best all-time movies in my opinion.
My daughter married the Great nephew of Brendan O'Dowda and I love that my own Mother taught me these Percy French songs when I was young. Now I can sing them to my little, baby Grandson the Great-grand nephew of Brendan O'Dowda. This tribute by one lovely, talented man for another, has touched my soul.
Magic A match made in heaven by that l mean Percy and Brendan!! GOD REST THEM BOTH !!
I never get tired of watching and listening to this post. Wonderful music.
well tonight is St Patricks night " and i have been watching this video , and now i am a boy again listening too my dad singing these songs .... oh the memories.
What a beautiful documentary on a beautiful soul! His poems, his water colors, and his songs spoke to my soul and both bonded them to me as well as placing in me Irish soul. Brendan O'Dowd brought Percy French to me with his unsurpassed beautiful voice and singing. I simultaneously became a fan of Percy French and Brendan O'Dowda.
Excellent WHAT TALLENT BOTH MEN HAD GODS GIFTS SURELY !!
As a youth I once attended a concert in Cushendall parochial hall where Brendan O Dowda supported by the RTE light Orchestra gave an incredible performance it was being recorded for a radio programme, the man was an incredible talent and a Great Irishman.
R.I.P. Brilliant video., Thank you Brendan.
I just loved this post such music and joy the pride of Erin
I have listened to this music since I was a child and this took me back for a while. I'm greatful.
Long time since I saw this on RTE . I’m so glad you put it up . A bit of history of our past .
Well worth the watch! A peek into times past! Bittersweet!
Percy French in my opinion was the greatest songwriter of all time his lyrics and melodies were brillant. This is what songwriting is all about. Fantastic video thanks a million
Robbie Dunn Brisbane Australia
This has brought back memories of my father, who loved singing "Come Back, Paddy Reilly", and "The Mountains of Mourne" back when I was a boy. Thanks for uploading this.
Thank You Thank You
Great film about a great man by a great singer. Many thanks
Wonderful
What a treat you've provided! I grew up among LPs of Brendan O'Dowda singing Percy French & O'Dowda remains for me the definitive Percy French interpreter. A rare gem.
A delightful gem of a recording. I had the great good fortune to be taken to "The Golden Years" in Roscommon featuring Brendan and Milo O'Shea, attended I believe by Percy's two daughters, a great pleasure to find this video. Well done. Paddy Wilkinson
Wonderful combination of Percy French's composing skills and Brendan's melodious voice.
Brenda O'Dowda, a wonderful, wonderful singer. I am glad to be of a certain age to have been exposed to to the music of the pre-60s.
Thanks a million for uploading this great video....Brendan o Dowda was by the far the best interpreter of Percy French's great songs...sadly both this great singer and all those unforgettable have fallen out of favour over the years, but as we well know these things are inclined to be cyclical and nothing is surer but these great songs will one day be rediscovered and appreciated all over again. they are, after all, an important part of 'The Great Irish Songbook'
God Bless You and Brendan O Dowda..🎼
Wonderful! Best wishes from the Belfast Castlereagh hills.
Congratulations for putting this video up on youtube. A real gem. Great to hear the Percy French story combined with the greatest interpreter of French's songs, Brendan O'Dowda.
Wonderful video on two counts a) Percy French and b) Brendan O'Dowda. Thanks so much for putting it up. I enjoyed it enormously.
Many thanks for uploading this most informative documentary.
R.I.P Brendan.
Thanks for,uploading. I absolutely love Percy French's paintings and music. The Mountains of Mourne is my favorite. What a wonderful story!
Maria Bennett tango of the islesusex by the sea the good old a
Percy French was a genius and Brendan O Dowda RIP did wonderful renditions.
Beautiful
Thanks for posting I loved it and so did Kleenex tissues
After watching Callum played for Boys in Green, I was astonished to realise that Callum was the grandson of this man, Brendan. Brendan's voice will never die no matter what.
Thank you so much for posting this delightful gem. I had also recorded it in the 1980's but my tape & VHS player are both defunct.
Never thought I would ever see it again until I found your site ... great work.
Some years ago I asked UTV if they could supply a DVD copy and they quoted me a price ...£100 !!
Wonderful - thank you
Wonderful stuff Thankyou for sharing
Hi thanks for info on upload. I really enjoyed it and shall drop by to watch again.You have a great selection of uploads.
glad u enjoyed not good at computers 75yrs
A non-professional singer myself, I often will sing solo songs for the entertainment of folks in local senior residences & care homes, as a part of our choir of some 30 people, consisting of 6 men plus 24 ladies.
I myself originate from the Isle of Wight, whilst my fair colleen of some 64 years hails from the northwest corner of Londonderry, in an area known as Ballymagroarty. Somehow, over the years, I have acquired the ability to imitate the Irish brogue in speech & song so, I often will sing Irish songs, particularly around St..Patrick's day. I like to search out 'real' Irish songs, such as these written by Percy French. My wife's family were acquainted with relatives of Mr. French &, through that connection, we became the owners of Volumes 1 & 2 of "Songs of Percy French".
I have chosen "Mc.Breen's Heifer" for my solo in our spring concert's which I hope will be accepted as a light-hearted comedy piece. Another one I intend to sing at a later date is all about a disrupted train ride that Mr.French endured at one time in his travels & wrote about it in song which, apparently infuriated the owner of the rail service who, I'm told, threatened legal action for ridiculing his business. It would appear he reconsidered his thoughts & there was no law-suit. The name of the song is: "Are You Right There Michael, Are You Right?" I'm not sure which rail line he used, it might have been The Swilly. Another favourite is "Slattery's Mounted Fut" . . . all great songs with a story behind them that I like to relate to the audience ahead of the song.
Anyway, I love all songs of Percy French as well as other Irish songs . . . many of which were written in U.S.A. for musical shows or movies. My personal favourite is one they used as background music in the movie "The Quiet Man" . . . starring John Wayne & Maureen O'Hara. Better known for his many western theme (Cowboy) movies, I believe this to be one of John Wayne's best all-time movies in my opinion.
Great 👍
Very enjoyable
John Roche the Irish baritone. ..RIP...Will never forget your concert @ the Concert hall. ..legend..
Aye very good
. . . mo chroi....my heart. Mac...son of...
I wound up here chasing the line Lore sang in Star Trek from The Bulbul
William Alexander Houston Collisson not forgetting who wrote the music
Anne Pickard you would love this!
my father came from Creeslough he was born in Ferrys bar trying to find out a bit more of the family history
Have you got a recording by John Mc Cormack? He sang most of the songs here listed. Brendan O'Dowda is good - almozt as good as McCormack.
+James Bierney really?
cool
pat lyn
The most poignant rendition of Come Back Paddy Reilly is by Margaret Barry.
Paddy's panacea