1970 Eurovision winner, Dana, will be coming to Wexford….
The internationally renowned artist will be performing at the Glynn-Barntown Parish Church next month on February 11th.
John Carroll, who is on the committee which helped to get Dana to Glynn-Barntown, hopes that the event will act as a morale building and will bear “fruit for the future”:
“The concert with Dana (Rosemary Scallon) which takes place on Sunday 11th February at 7.30pm. Besides being an opportunity for people from about Wexford to hear Dana – who will be 60/70 percent of the concert, it’s also an opportunity for some of the locals (most especially the children’s’ choir) to perform both during the concert and with Dana also. We are blessed with music and singing every Sunday at Barntown, this will all hopefully prove a morale building and gratitude showing event that will bear fruit into the future,” John said.
We also caught up with Dana herself ahead of the performance entitled ‘An Evening With Dana’ where she spoke about her favourite things about Wexford, gave advice for upcoming singers, and highlighted the things she most proud of – other than her Eurovision win and her singing career:
What’s your favourite thing about Wexford?
“Well there’s a lot to love. First of all, I’ve found Wexford people to be very welcoming and genuine. That’s why I’m looking forward to going back to Barntown.
I love the beauty and the history of county Wexford and its amazing beaches. Also it’s music ..from world famous opera, to traditional and all in-between.
Then there’s the food. Fr John’s a great cook, but if your not lucky enough to get a seat at his table (which his parishioners often do), there’s an endless choice of good food . Of course, it’s hard to resist the wonderful fresh fish in wonderful restaurants like Mary Barry’s,” Dana said, speaking to Wexford Weekly.
What advice would you give to new and upcoming singer/songwriters?
“I’d pass on the advice I was given when I signed my first recording contract. I was fifteen years old and Michael Geoghegan, head of Rex Records ( the Irish distributing company for Decca Records ) sat me down and said, “You have to believe that the next record you release will be number one“. I thought he was crazy and that that could never happen to me, but a few releases later, ” All Kinds of Everything” was number one in so many countries throughout Europe,” she told Wexford Weekly.
Dana is well-known for her exploits at the Eurovision, winning in as a school-girl in 1970. But, other than that, she is most proud of the simple things in life – family.
“I’d have to say our children and grandchildren and that Damien and I have just celebrated our 45th wedding anniversary,” she told us.
Tickets for the event are currently on sale, with posters and signs already up across the community. Tickets are €25 each and can be bought from Barntown Parish Office on 053-(91)-20853.
