Dear Reader –
Thanks for reading this week’s letter. Inspired today by Kellie Harrington…
*All hyperlinks in bold.
The Big Thing
“Perennial winners end up just being satisfied with not having lost. For new winners however, there is a different level of ecstasy”.
So said a friend of mine (from a traditionally more successful county) to me when we discussed the Sligo U-17 (Minor) GAA team winning the Connacht championship for the first time in 53 years last week. Indeed it was the first Connacht title at any level for 14 years so football fans in the county got justifiably excited.
But it also applies to Kellie. Malachy Clerkin of the Irish Times wrote yesterday, “by most measures, being an Olympian is an insane thing to do with your life”. And he’s right - Olympians and wannabe Olympians commit to huge sacrifice and putting most areas of their lives on hold for no financial gain and a small chance of success. Due to these reasons, and the 4-year cycle of the event, most Olympic gold medallists are also new winners, which can lead to a huge emotional payoff for athletes and fans alike.
Which is why the winning stories are all the more special.
My favourite story about Kellie came from the Second Captains podcast this week, specifically an interview from 3 years ago in which she described her first fight. Getting ‘the head beaten off her’, apologising to her opponent on the rare occasion she did land a punch, and most importantly, the determination she noticed once the fight was finished, to train and train and exact revenge on that poor girl from Cavan a year later when she got the chance.
So let’s allow ourselves to be inspired for a moment.
It doesn’t have to be the Olympics, or a Connacht title, but we all have triggers that inspire greater effort and tenacity in us. Setting ourselves challenges and trying to reach them can lead to a more fulfilled life. So what’s it going to be? Let me know if you want.
Where else but Sligo?
“Sligo is just class”.
So said an old friend who happened to be in the pod next to mine at the Máirtín O’Connor Trio gig last weekend in the Peace Park in Sligo town. He had lived away for years but is now back and settled here with a family. He told me that his Sunday consisted of a dip in the sea, a few holes of golf and then a gig in town - all within 10 minutes of his house. He was full of the joys of life around here - he’s into his GAA, so maybe the big win had got under his skin, but his enthusiasm was infectious and got me even more in the mood for the gig.
I ended up being there on my own, so the bit of conversation was very welcome, but it was also nice to sit there and get lost in the music and the atmosphere. I hadn’t done this for a while and it was nice to rediscover the feeling of being alone with music, and the way it can bring you to a different space and inspire new thoughts.
This particular trio is one of my favourites, and it was so nice to see the three lads looking and sounding great together. A word too for the local Fleadh Cheoil organising committee. Sligo stepped in at short notice this year when Mullingar decided they didn’t have the capabilities needed to stream the event. Sligo not only streamed the entire Fleadh, but put on 5 live outdoor gigs in a safe, welcoming, and professional manner. Well done to all.
What’s New?
September is coming soon, and with it the start of a new teaching term, and this year a new book to accompany my tuition methods. More details on adult programmes in the coming weeks, but for now if anyone of school-going age is interested in starting, there are still a small number of slots available. Email kieran@kieranquinn.ie if you are interested.
Regular reader of these letters Imelda Harte was one of the volunteers who helped make the Fleadh gig described above such a friendly occasion. And - she alerted me to an initiative currently ongoing between Sligo and its German Twin Town. The mayor of Kempten is looking for musicians and other creative people from Sligo to send on creative work to be uploaded on a special website. I have just sent my contribution, and would like to encourage you to do the same.
More here.
It’s always nice to see your picture in the national press - thanks to the Arts Council and Sunday Independent for highlighting some of the great work being done at local and national level in these trying times.
Finally…
It has been one of the most popular songs among young piano students over the past few years, and then was all over the news this week as Kellie Harrington revealed it as her motto. Starring Timon, Pumba and Simba, click for the music but you’ll stay for the jokes…
Till next time - Kieran.
