Sligo-Help for newbies.

[trish]

Thinking of you all at the ceremony today in Lissadell. It will be lovely.

Well done Mick, the plaque will look lovely surrounded by the flowers and shrubs and of course the bench... I look forward to seeing it when I return to Lissadell.

I can feel the peace and tranquility already. Happy Birthday Leonard.

[carlowmike]

Lissadell Plaque at Canadian Maple tree :
Mission accomplished, all went well.
From our extra funds we brought from Carlow,
a Green Lilac, "Syringa vulgaris",
a "Yellow Hybrid Tea" Rose bush and
a Laurel, "Laurus nobilis"
for the garden area surrounding the tree planted alongside the lake at the Concert grounds,
and like a sober person in some new midnight choir we rendered a verse of
"Happy Birthday to Leonard" on behalf of you all.
musicmania will supply a few pictures and report later...

[jdhayes]

Vielen Dank Mick. Delighted to be associated with it.

[musicmania]

Carlowmike and John Joe Cassidy unveiling the plaque



Carlowmike and moi



The plaque



For all the other photos I took over the 2 days see this link

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2 ... 11731c4814

The last 2 days can only be described as totally enjoyable and I am very grateful to Carlowmike for bringing me to Sligo with him and for all the work he has put in to make today possible. I also would like to thank the Cassidy's for the warm welcome we received today and of course for allowing us the plant the tree and place the plaque beside it. They picked a beautiful location beside a lake with the sea and house in full view. I must say too that although time was against us the brief look I had of the galleries was excellent. The collections they have on display are stunning and the prints they commissioned of the concerts look amazing. I hope to one day soon spend hours just admiring it all and to also do the house tour. Sometime next year this will become a reality.

It was fantastic to stay in The Pier Head Hotel last night. To have stayed in the same hotel that Leonard did was a privilege. It is beautiful location. I went walking just as it was getting bright this morning as Leonard had done when he stayed there. It was a magical feeling walking around with just my camera and the sounds and sights of the ocean. Even though I'd walked either side of the hotel I wasn't prepared for the views when I walked into the restaurant for my breakfast. It took my breath away as it is right on the edge of the ocean. I imagined Leonard and co having a similiar reaction when they entered it themselves. Last night we spent ages just sitting outside and it was totally relaxing to listen to the ocean.

Of course though the highlight for me was returning to Lissadell and being able to mark Leonards birthday in the special and unique way. Walking around the location of the concerts brought all the magical memories back to life and while I have a meeting to attend shortly I do plan on spending a couple of hours after reliving the concerts through the wonder of Youtube!

[carlowmike]

A word of thanks to some of the people who enhanced our visit to Lissadell today.
Thank you to Keith McNair of Discover Sligo for his hospitality and the special tour of Mullaghmore yesterday evening.
Thanks to the staff of the Pier Head Hotel for all their help and attention
and to John McHugh, owner / manager of The Pier Head for attending our Event at Lissadell this morning.
Thanks to Angela who looks after the Coach House Store in Lissadell ,
(Angela looked after Leonard while he and the Band relaxed in the Coach House area for two days !).
Special thanks to John Joe Cassidy, who as a member of the Lissadell House family / owners and Estate manager, guided us around Lissadell this morning.
And of course a big thank you to musicmania for the pictures and the entertaining 7 hour long sing-along going to and coming from Sligo.

[trish]

Carlowmike and Musicmania you are looking good!

I look forward to returning to Sligo when the shrubs and flowers are in full bloom. The memories of Lissadell are so special. It's nice to know that there is a tangible record of those wonderful two nights as well as the memories that we will cherish forever...

[coolfadda]

Thumbs up from me. A job very well done

[jdhayes]

All that's missing is your fedora, Mick.

[mutti]

Greetings Carlow Mike and Music Mania
Thank you for the photos! What a lovely celebration and plaque. Looking at the photo really helped me to
see it's size and how lovely it is.
It will be there a lot longer than all of us for generations to come...
I hope to get back to Sligo one day to see it for myself.
Thank you Mick again and all involved for this wonderful gesture
of honouring Leonard and his concerts in Sligo at Lissadell.
With gratitude
Mutti/Les

[carlowmike]

trish wrote : I look forward to returning to Sligo when the shrubs and flowers are in full bloom. The memories of Lissadell are so special. It's nice to know that there is a tangible record of those wonderful two nights as well as the memories that we will cherish forever...

Trish,
give it a bit of time before you return to view our little garden .
"frelander's" tree has shed its leaves and looks fatigued and lonely at present but I am assured by those in the know that it is thriving.
I would give it and the garden about 2 years to take root and establish itself,
also by then the Plaque will be attached to a large granite boulder.
.

mutti wrote:
It will be there a lot longer than all of us for generations to come...
I hope to get back to Sligo one day to see it for myself.

I am sure you will mutti.
Everyone I spoke to at the Pier Head Hotel and at Lissadell firmly believe that Leonard gave every indication that he will at some stage return to Lissadell (sans Band perhaps ),
he has an open invitation to do so.
I too believe he will one day stand at his Tree and Plaque in the "Cohen Corner" at Lissadell .

[coolfadda]

Everyone I spoke to at the Pier Head Hotel and at Lissadell firmly believe that Leonard gave every indication that he will at some stage return to Lissadell (sans Band perhaps ),
he has an open invitation to do so.
I too believe he will one day stand at his Tree and Plaque in the "Cohen Corner" at Lissadell[/color] .[/quote]
Wouldn't that be fantastic. Keep us posted pleeeeeaaaaaassssseeeee.

[jeney]

I missed the plaque event at Lissadell because I got the details mixed up and was in Mullaghmore at 12oc. By the time I got to Lissadell it was all over but thanks to Joe Cassidy I found the tree and plaque and paid homage to Leonard on his birthday.It is indeed a lovely plaque in a beautiful setting which I am sure will become a must visit spot for all Cohnites passing by.

[musicmania]

I missed the plaque event at Lissadell because I got the details mixed up and was in Mullaghmore at 12oc. By the time I got to Lissadell it was all over but thanks to Joe Cassidy I found the tree and plaque and paid homage to Leonard on his birthday.It is indeed a lovely plaque in a beautiful setting which I am sure will become a must visit spot for all Cohnites passing by.

That is a shame you missed us Jeney. I'm glad John Joe showed you the tree and plaque. It was very special being in Lissadell on Leonards birthday.

[jdhayes]

Can anyone just enter the grounds to see the plaque or do you have to ask for permission?

[carlowmike]

by jdhayes » Sat Sep 25, 2010 3:31 pm

Can anyone just enter the grounds to see the plaque or do you have to ask for permission?

The tree is planted in the field adjacent to Lissadell House adjoining the Concert site.
For now Joe or Isobel will direct visitors to the tree and Plaque.
To gain access you have to cross the driveway leading to the house.
in time they intend to erect a sign post and include the Corner as part of the tour but first the tree and the garden needs time to establish itself.
The owners are awaiting the ruling from the recent High Court action ( due in October) to determine the right-of-way issue through the Lissadell Estate.
I was informed that if the judgement goes against the family they intend to close the House and Estate to the public for good ,
personally I believe that common sense will prevail and all will be well.
Whatever the ruling we have claimed a corner of Lissadell for Leonard .