RAMS impromptu rendition of Grace at Kilmainham Gaol received high praise

A LOCAL retired men’s choir gave an impromptu performance outside Kilmainham Gaol last month, after receiving a tour of the historic site.

The Newcastle-based Retired Active Men’s Social (RAMS) choir, called RAMS in Rhythm, gave a stirring rendition of ‘Grace’ by The Dubliners which received high praise from other visitors.

Matt Dowling, secretary of RAMS, told The Echo: “A great group of visitors – and lots of them American visitors – who were in the vicinity gathered to listen to the music, and with great applause, enjoyed the singing.

“So not to disappoint the other visitors who had gathered across the road, we gave them a few more songs.

“‘Ireland, Ireland’ went down very well with some of the American visitors, with one lady videoing and telling us she is bringing it back to Nashville to play to all her family.”

The performance was a highlight of RAMS in Rhythm’s day, which began with refreshments in St Finian’s Community Centre before the group boarded a bus to bring them to Kilmainham.

“Our lovely tour guide Roisin greeted us and gave the usual safety guidelines,” added Matt.

“The building has been so well restored. It was wonderful to see the restoration done by the OPW.

“There was lots of history, and one could even feel the atmosphere of time past.

“The 1916 rebellion has a real history at Kilmainham Gaol, and Roisin almost brought tears to our older eyes, with her great knowledge of Joseph Plunkett and Grace Clifford.

“Roisin gave us a great experience of the jail church where they were married, before Joseph Plunkett was executed.

“Pointing out the cell where Joseph and Grace spent minutes before his execution, it was very emotional, and we all teared up.

“We got a great tour of the courtyard, where more executions took place, and a history story behind all the patriots who were executed there.”

The group then enjoyed a well-presented lunch in a nearby hotel, followed by a trip to Bray to cap off the experience before returning home to Newcastle.

“RAMS’s home is Newcastle, and we went into our home watering hole, to finish a memorable day,” said Matt. “Well done to all. Isn’t it great to be old?”

The group, who regularly perform to raise money for charity, will be performing in The Square Shopping Centre this Friday, July 21, to raise money for Barnardos.

After this, the group will enjoy their well-deserved summer recess during the month of August, before returning in full voice to fundraise for charity in the run-up to Christmas.

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