'new McCormack'

HAS IRELAND produced a `new' Count John McCormack, the world-renowned tenor of yore?

If so, Co. Wexford, in particular, can be very proud, for Kiltealy's own Anthony Keams was the name on most people's lips as they left a special concert in Enniscorthy on Sunday night.

The 27-year-old was joined by Ronan Tynan they comprise two of the famous `Three Irish Tenors' - for a memorable concert in the Riverside Park hotel which jam packed the hotel's spacious ballroom.

The concert was in aid of Ballindaggin Pipe Band's fund-raising efforts for its planned eight-day trip to Chicago next March, highlight of which will be their appearance in the Windy City's St. Patrick's Day parade.

Such was the demand for tickets that, once the seating capacity limit was reached, there was a `waiting list' of several hundred.

For the huge attendance and most of all, of course, for the organisers, it was a tremendous occasion, as the duo sang their way through a selection of favourites old and new. They were accompanied by distinguished pianist Patrick Healy.

On one notable occasion, Kearns was actually compared to McCormack in a national newspaper, and very few in Sunday night's audience would disagree. His rendition of songs like' `Boolavogue' and `Danny Boy' affirmed the richness of his singing style and also the response evoked from his audience.

The sell-out attendance included visitors from as far away, as Australia, USA, England and Northern Ireland, many of them fans who have bought the CD or the video featuring the duo.

Included in the attendance was Ballindaggin native Fr. Paul Bateman, now in Australia, who specially delayed a vacation back home so as to take in Sunday night's concert.