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BOOK REVIEW
Most of us 'talk' a good book - John
Baird went out and did it.
I received a complimentary copy of "The Fiesta - Letterkenny" in
the post this week and from the moment I flicked through the pages of this
well-bound 108-page book, I felt that I was going to thoroughly enjoy
reading it. I wasn’t about to be disappointed.
Printed and bound by the Donegal Printing Company, with a Foreward
by the band-leader of The Capitol Showband, Des Kelly, this
book is chock-full of memories, anecdotes and photographs from an era that
we all loved. It brings us on a nostalgic journey from 1962, when
the Keeney family built the dance-hall to 1979 when the
doors closed for the last time.
John’s research was obviously a labour of love because a less enthusiastic
author would have got away with less photos, less interviews and less
newspaper advertisements but knowing John as I do, that was never going to
happen.
I counted 99 photos (almost all credited, which is a nice touch) and 19
newspaper adverts, many of them never published before. The book is worth
buying for the photos alone. Some of the rarer ones feature concerts on
the steps of the ballroom with The Blueglows and Denver
Showbands, local band The Jets with the neon-lit ‘Fiesta’
behind them, the author's all-time favourite band, The Capitol Showband
onstage on opening night and a photo of the author in the crowd at a dance
in The Fiesta in the ‘60s. I had to have a second look at this because
he’s a dead ringer for Billy Fury in his heyday!
Is it all good? Well, almost. The proof-reading leaves a bit to be desired
and it would have been a bonus if some colour photos had been included but
that of course is down to the author’s budget. Writing about such a narrow
subject as one ballroom, the author has produced a gem of a book,
especially for people who grew up and danced to the showbands anywhere in
Ireland. Part of the proceeds of the sale of this book is being donated to
the Donegal Branch of the Cystic Fibrosis Association.
I highly recommend “The Fiesta – Letterkenny” which is available
from the author at €12.50. Don’t forget to add €2.00 for
postage and packing within Ireland. |
