Month: April 2022

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I’ve skied in Aviemore

Anyone who is anyone in ski teaching in the old days knew that ISIA was short for “I’ve Skied In Aviemore” not the “ International Ski instructors Association.” At the end of every winter BASI Instructors from around the world would congregate on Coire Cas for the final two weeks of skiing of the season for the Spring BASI course. In those days Scotland enjoyed long ski seasons and this training took place during the last week of April and first week in May . In the 1970’s and 80’s there was always good snow, amazing moguls and lots of good craic in the Aviemore pubs.

It was here where I met you Ian. I look back with fond memories of those wonderful Spring courses. I hope Ian you may remember some of the old characters . Happy times , thank you

  • Bob Kinnaird
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Scouts in Donnybrook

Hi Ian, hope you remember me from the scouts in Donnybrook, we were in the pipe band together, you played the side drum and I played the tenor and base drum and took over as staff major from John O’Connor, we did church parade and marched around to Donnybrook church holding up traffic, which wouldn’t have been too bad in those days, and of course there were hikes and camps at Larch Hill ( my nephew is estate manager up there nowadays), we also did scouts shows together and I got to sing solo because I used to sing in the Church choir at Haddington Rd, which is gone now, bob-a-job and carol singing for fundraising. There were lots of our members went on to greater things yourself included, i went into athletics via the scouts sports and became multiple champion and international and of course Muiris McGonigle who you would go on to work with in RTE. hope you get well soon. All my brothers were in the cubs or scouts as well and my mother used to help out.

Tony Murphy

  • Tony Murphy
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RoRo

It was always good news to hear that Ian would be directing Fair City on our Thursday schedule, not only because he was such a gent to work with , but it usually meant we would get our work finished in time to get out to Dunlaoire for DBSC racing !

  • Ronan Lee
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Always Skipped A Beat

I am so sorry to hear this news of Ian’s illness Jane… My heart goes out to all of you… I first saw Ian when I first saw BLUESVILLE in 1964… featuring the two coolest dudes in CBC Monkstown school Mick Molloy and Deke O’Brien… Robbie Brennan and I used to look at them in their sunglasses and their black shirts with the collars turned up as the cool-walked down to the school… But Bluesville was a whole new ball game… looking and sounding like nothing we’d ever seen or heard before with Barry Richardson playing harmonica in Evening Dress, Peter Adler in black shades (held together with Sellotape) playing snarling sax, Ian Whitcomb prancing around the piano in American Football gear and huge sneakers… and sitting imperiously behind them in immaculate suit, shirt and tie clinically driving them on was the immaculate Ian McGarry on immaculate drums… Robbie (no mean drummer himself) was transfixed… Ian’s drumming was so meticulous and precise… the heart beat of the band… and as for that unique skip-beat on ‘You Turn Me On’… His pièce de résistance!… Many years later I had the great pleasure of being directed by Ian on FAIR CITY and once again the attention to detail and meticulous professionalism… A thorough gentleman… A lovely, affable, funny and friendly man… I wish you well Ian… My love to you Jane and to your lovely daughters as you mind this special man.

  • Jonathan Ryan
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You’re a Legend!

Happy photo of us all enjoying hot chocolate in Morgen . My happiest memory of you Ian is you skiing gracefully down looking like a Ninja Turtle covered in rucksacks and carrying skis on both shoulders after the girls had raced . Always with a happy grin on your face especially when the girls had done well!! You’re a legend Ian xxx

  • Shirley Stevens