Deirdre to Launch New Castleisland Day Care Song on ‘TalkAbout’ Today

That was then: At the launch of the Castleisland Day Care Centre CD ‘Never Grow Old’ at The Crown Hotel on a Friday night in July 2007 were: Helen Lyons (left) with Tommy Watson, Máire Begley-O’Shea who launched the CD and Marcella Finn, Nurse/Manager at the centre. Today’s launch is all hi-tech and you’ll hear it on TalkAbout with Deirdre Walsh on Radio Kerry. ©Photograph: John Reidy 14-7-2007
Deirdre Walsh will launch the Castleisland Day Care Centre / Musical Residency song on her TalkAbout programme on Radio Kerry this afternoon.

Castleisland Day Care Centre Nurse / Manager Marcella Finn wishes to highlight a musical residency which, she said, the centre has had the privilege to be part of over the past few months..

“The residency, which was funded by Age and Opportunity,  is one of six resident artist in care setting nationally,” said Ms. Finn.

“It was offered to us early in 2020 and at the time we never envisioned that we would still be in a lock-down in 2021.

Plans for On-Site Recording

“The plan had been that the residency would be on site in Castleisland Day Care Centre with our clients taking part physically,” she continued.

“However, due to the ongoing pandemic and the vulnerability of the age group which we cater for day care centres remain closed to all on site activities, resulting in the residency being  done remotely.

“This was a challenge as the majority of our clients are not technology friendly.

West Cork Musical Artist

The artist in residence who was assigned to Castleisland Day Care Centre was Liz Clark, a musical artist from West Cork.

“Liz commenced working on writing a song with the participants of the Castleisland Day Care Centre and staff during our darkest months of  lock-down.

The lyrics came from discussions over the phone and good old-fashioned letters, but also over Zoom, Facetime, Whatsapp and Viber video!

First Time Technology Users

“For many this was their first experience with technology using tablets and recording equipment.

With guidance from Liz, the staff in the centre took full ownership of the residency by singing, helping with the lyrics, holding the cameras for recording and playfully taking part in all the aspects.

The Rambling House 

Ms. Clark spent time remotely with about a dozen participants, casually singing favourite old songs, sharing stories, and learning about their lives- especially their days long ago when the Rambling House was their main form of social interaction.

With the centre closed for over a year, many participants commented fondly about how it was like their modern day Rambling Houses and a place to meet and feel welcome.

A Song About Place and Friendship

“The residency has been a wonderful experience for everyone involved with Liz writing a song for the centre titled Old Friends.

“Participants were then recorded and videoed in their own homes singing the song with the residency culminating in a video which will be shared on social media.

Old Friends is a song about the beautiful area in which we live and the friendships we make throughout our lives and in our case, the social support which Castleisland Day Care offers it’s clients.

Launched on Talk About

“The past year has been proof  that good friends not only enhance our lives but contribute to our well-being.  

“We hope that this song brings visibility to the resilience and strength of this generation and remind us all of the culture of storytelling and songs that is so integral to us now.

“The song and video will be launched today by Deirdre Walsh on her afternoon show TalkAbout on Radio Kerry and it will be shared on social media afterwards,” Marcella concluded.

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