Month: April 2022

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Prof at Chatel

I am devastated to hear this news about Ian but I thank you for sharing it with us all so openly. I wish I had some of the pix of old times with the Prof at Chatel. You and Ian were always SO generous to us and we met and had fun with many interesting people in the chalet. I will ask Rolf to look out for photo albums which are buried deep in one of 4 gararages full of stuff we had to store when we ‘lost’ our house and moved to our tiny aparment. Mummy always said health & happiness were the most important things in life and your family has an abundance of the latter to make up for and support Ian through illness and treatment. I love you all and long to come and visit…more so now. Remember that the caregivers are often neglected (including self-neglect) but I know that your girls will always be there for you, supportive and lending a hand whenever they can. 😘

  • Tessa Coker
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Playing drums with my Big Band

Jane this is the saddest news. I am so sorry that Ian and all of you have to go through this. I have so many fond memories of Ian playing drums with my big band or smaller group on the Late Late and indeed his talented TV direction on several shows we worked on together. Life can be so cruel. Daily prayers will be offered.

  • Frank McNamara
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Worked with Ian as a sound recordist

Dear Jane I am so sorry to hear that Ian is not well and our hearts and thoughts are with you both! My wife Marie-Hélène was very sad to hear the news of Ian as she taught him French in the Alliance Francaise for a few years! I first saw Ian when he was playing with Bluesville in the Stella house in Mount Merrion ! Upstairs was a disco but all the cool cats went downstairs to listen to Jazz and Blues ! The first time I worked with Ian as a sound recordist was in 1980 when he directed a series of music programmes featuring singers and bands of the day! One particular memory is of a programme he made with Tony Kenny which was filmed in the Liberties which is where tony was born ! One of the songs we filmed to playback was Tony singing the song The Dublin Saunter which was made famous by Noel Purcell ! Ian asked Noel to appear in the shot with Tony which was filmed in St Patrick’s Park ! This worked well until we had finished and Noel didn’t want to go home ! I always remember the kind , gentle and diplomatic manner that Ian dealt with the situation ! I went on to work with Ian over the next Forty years ! He is the most multi talented person that I have ever met in my life! But if it is possible his talent is surpassed by his serenity, calmness, kindness and professionalism He is the most gentlemen! Joe.

  • Joe Dolan
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5,6,7,8.

Hi Ian,
I have such great memories of working with you from 1977 first as a dancer, then as a choreographer. You gave me a great oppertunity to make that transition.
You were so easy to work with and always a gentleman.
Love and Best Wishes to you Ian ,Jane, Tamson and Kirsty
The first time our family went skying was to you and Jane in Chatel. It was a fantastic trip and Jane and the girls very welcomming.

  • Stephanie McGetrick
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The beginning of a journey

My journey to the Alps and to ‘Chamonix’ began while working for Ian and Jane as part of McGarry the Ski System’s first team of instructors. Indeed, I was the first person to be invited by Ian and Jane to be part of their team and began my first season in Chatel in 1989/90. This was perfect timing for me as I developed my career in teaching skiing and sought to follow Ian’s footsteps (or rather skiing) in reaching the top level BASI qualification. One of my fondest memories of this time (and there were many) was when we went as a team (including Andy Smart) to Grands Montets, Argentiere (probably 1991 for the first time) to ski the same slopes as our heroes from the iconic ski movie – The Blizzard of Ahhhs. We used to play that VHS every week to the guests at the McGarry’s chalet in Chatel. Little did I know that this was the beginning of my journey to living in the Chamonix area and setting up our British Alpine Ski School franchise in Chamonix in 2005. Now 17 years on we are still here. Thank you Ian and Jane for being such an important part of my snowsports journey and for giving me the opportunity to teach for three seasons in the Portes du Soleil.

  • Derek Tate
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The Galway Tribe

Ian lovely memories of your summer holidays spent with us in Attymon – also remember when I stayed with you and Aunty Maureen and taking you to the park across the road lots of love your cousin Deirdre Power (nee McGann) XX

  • Sharon Coyne
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Dream Team – Chatel summers

Hi Ian,
It’s Steph Bream here 🙂 . I am not great with words. But one of the best memories I have is spending the summer in Chatel and Saas Fee as part of your family. Kirsty, Tam and I where like sisters that summer. I loved being away with you guys. Remember I bought a catsuit that was far too big!! It took me years to grow into it. Willie TB teased me that it was more appropriate for ski jumping!
I have such happy memories of walk up the mountains to see dinosaur foot prints. To this day I believe that experience was the first step towards my geology career!!
You where always lovely to me. Yourself and Jane always made me feel part of the family. I also remember that no one was faster than you in deep fresh powder. You’re tight wiggle S turns always tore up the mountain!
Sending my love and hugs!
Steph Bream

  • Stephanie Bream
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BASI & SCGB

Ian, do you remember my BASI 3 (as it was then) training up on Cairngorm, early May 1988 (I think). I was the oldest even then in the group and definitely not up to standard. Stuart Adamson had encouraged me to do it though. Tons of snow, we even skied powder. Best. Instructor. Ever.
What I loved about your teaching style was the quiet manner and lovely soft Irish accent. It suited me as an introvert. I disliked being yelled at! Back then people may not have pegged me as introverted because I drank so much wine. After 24 years sober I am risking a glass or two of wine with dinner and the occasional beer in my old age…
When you and Jane started McGarry THE Ski System in Chatel I came with John Stephens (aka ‘The Prof’) in order to write a story about your chalet-based instruction ski hols for Ski Survey at The Ski Club of Great Britain. What a delightful place Chalet Chataigne was with your two little girls (so cute) and an assistant instructor…I think it was that lovely boy who had cystic fibrosis. Then there was Derek Tate of course … Tamsen looked like Jane and Kirsty the image of you.
I remember too many dinners out on chalet girls’ night off as well as weekly trips to the hot springs (somewhere near Morgins) and skiing with the inventor of Piste Poles.
I still have a copy of my Skilegs pre-ski conditioning book that Jane illustrated so nicely.
Not sure of the order of events but probably 1990 back in Cairngorm I was there failing BASI 3 with Richard Harrison (second time was luckier) and I roomed with Jane who was doing BASI 1. I think we were a great support for each other. She had this thing to buoy her up in the mornings. She absolutely HAD to play The Bangles Eternal Flame (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PSoOFn3wQV4) every day. Bless her!!
After that first ‘press trip’ to Chatel you guys were kind enough to invite me and John on an annual basis. I would suggest inviting other folks I could write about and you promote as a special extra to the guests: Extreme Skiing with Pierre Tardivel was one and applied kinesiology and boot fitting with Matthew Bennett, my chiropractor from Brighton.
Did you know that I used to call you Ian McGuru…for obvious reasons?
All my old photo albums are buried (lost?) deep in one of our storage garages but I have asked my current husband, Rolf, to look for them and I will add them to your website.
In the meantime here are some old ones I found and scanned …
I really hope to get over and see you in Dalkey sometime soon. Jane is always reiterating her invitation!

  • Tessa Coker