Category: Family and Friends

Hi Ian,

So sorry to hear that you are not well.
I have many great memories of your time with Bluesville {and The Alpine Six and The Action}. Myself and 2 pals Viv Kennedy & Trevor Murray ran the R&B Club at Longford Lawn Tennis Club, Monkstown, back in the Sixties, as well as promoting concerts in and around Dublin.
In 1963, we put on an R&B show at St Anthony’s Little Theatre and this was Bluesville’s first public appearance. Deke & Mick were in the audience and as Bluesville was tearing up the place, Deke said to me, “That’s the kind of band I want to be in”. The Rhythm section was from The Crickets showband with which Barry Richardson played. Around this time Deke invited me to come and see The Alpine Seven who were playing in a hall on the South Circular Rd. A couple of weeks later, Mick & Deke had talked their way into Bluesville, bringing you and the Bass player from The Alpine Seven.
From then on in, we booked Bluesville for several shows, at Longford LTC, The Crystal Ballroom and The Marian Hall in Milltown. I recall Bluesville playing one Sunday night At Longford LTC, having spent several hours recording in the Eamonn Andrews studio in Abbey Street with Jerry Dennon from the American label Jerden Records. ‘You turn Me On’ which you, Mick, Deke and the others including Ian of course recorded at that time, became a top ten hit in the USA.

Eventually Barry Richardson, finished his studies at Trinity, Ian Whitcomb left for the States to promote his career which was launched big-time by ‘You Turn Me On’ now on Tower Records and you and Peter Adler formed a new band The Action, which played for us at least once at the R&B Club at LTC. I remember your drumming which was very precise & professional, but still maintained a great feel. Was the Alpine Seven your band?

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• Your Name: TED CARROLL

I have many happy memories of holidays in Chatel with you both, Ian and Jane. In McGarry Ski System days with trips to the hot springs at the end of the day and, later for Les Arcs Girls reunions it was walks up the mountains and drinks on the balcony looking at the glorious alpine views. Special times to treasure.

Jane and Ian you are wonderful, generous hosts welcoming everyone from around the world. It’s great fun sitting around your table where there’s always delicious food, wine and laughter. Ian, you make your guests feel at home in Dublin and Chatel with your thoughtful, kind presence, twinkling eyes, chuckles and wise words in a lovely, soft Irish accent.

Ian – Peter and I visited Dublin years ago and went to a show you were filming. Peter was in awe of your talents as you calmly, professionally and effortlessly directed a bank of cameras through the performance. A lovely memory to have.

Love and hugs to you all.

• Your Name: Janet Binney

Hi Ian, we have lots of lovely memories to share with you, from BASI courses to your daughters’ achievements. I remember when you became the first Irish BASI 1 – I think I was doing grade 2 at the time. Later on, Graziano and I had a lovely time at your home in Dalkey when Tamsen was still tiny and you’d just got the news that you and Jane were expecting Kirsten. You showed Graziano and me around the TV studios, explained how everything worked and pointed out all the stars in the canteen (unfortunately, being English and Italian, we had little idea who the Irish stars were!). We also went to the ballet and out for a lovely meal in Dublin. Unfortunately, we couldn’t make it to the wedding when you married Jane and then didn’t see you again for quite a while. When Kirsten competed in the World Champs we met up for a ski together in Aprica (and Kirsten won another cup during training). Ashley still remembers his amazing crash that day when he broke his goggles. We had lunch together at a mountain restaurant with another member of the Irish team. You and the family stayed just outside Santa Caterina in a little hotel we found for you as it was quite a hike from Aprica each day. Our family (Graziano, Wendy, Kirsten, Alison and Ashley) came to see you there too. Some years later, our Kirsten came to stay with you in Ireland and had a wonderful time with your Kirsten. We haven’t been back to Ireland since. We were planning a trip a few years ago but then the pandemic spoiled our plans. I have to trace my Irish ancestors yet so a trip to Avoca is definitely on the cards.

• Your Name: Wendy Dunn Ruffoni

In this Fair City Ian McGarry was a gentleman amongst the ruffians. His firm but gentle nature endeared him to cast and crew alike….. but if I had hear another word about skiing…. Well…. That’s another story.
I worked with Ian on many episodes of Fair City and I can quite honestly say that you won’t find a more well respected man in the halls or RTÉ.

• Your Name: Stevie O Halloran

Sorry you’re I’ll.

So sorry to hear your not well, Ian, a loyal follower of you with the Freshmen,,,Showband days and the many shows that you did for RTE,,,speedy recovery ❤️‍🩹 my Friend : Remember you playing Drums in the ARCADIA in CORK ☘️

• Your Name: John Hartigan,,,,,Cork

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

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• Your Name: Shirley Stevens

My earliest memories of Ian are from the days long ago when I worked in the French Alps. We first met when Jane and I were working together in Les Arcs 1800 in the early 1980s and a few years later in Chamonix where I worked for several winter seasons.
I remember Ian as a quietly spoken person, not taken at all to talking about himself. It was through Jane that I learnt about the breadth of Ian’s talents and skills in television/directing, as a musician and superb skier and instructor. Jane was, and remains, immensely proud of Ian and his many achievements. On my visits to the family home in Dublin when Tamsen and Kirsty were young, I was always welcomed and I could see what a devoted husband and father Ian was.
Ian’s work touched another young family on the other side of the globe. My brother, Michael, a teacher, musician and, at the time, father of two young daughters, purchased a video cassette of the Gael Force live concert filmed at Dublin’s Point Theatre in 1997. My little nieces loved that concert and spent many hours watching it, dancing to the Irish music and in particular, dancing along with the Leahy family! One day I was visiting while Gael Force was playing and happened to read the cassette cover and noticed that the director of this concert was Ian McGarry. I felt proud to know Ian who had contributed to bringing so much joy to Michael and his young family and so many others around the globe through his work.
Ian did make a brief visit to Australia in the late 1990s when he was directing a touring concert from Ireland. While in Melbourne for the concert, I was delighted that he agreed to come for an overnight visit to the farm where I was living near Ballarat. Ian was good company and it was great to see him here in Australia.
In 2013 after a delightful week on the West Coast of Ireland, I visited the McGarrys in Dublin. As Jane was not back from the UK until the day after my arrival, Ian took me out to dinner in Dalkey. We managed to catch up on so much that had happened in the years since we’d last seen each other during his brief visit to Australia – a very special evening spent together.
In 2014 and again in 2017 I was fortunate to catch up with Ian and Jane in the McGarry family chalet in Châtel when Jane invited six friends who’d worked with her in Les Arcs in the early 1980s to France for week-long reunions. Ian was completely unfazed by co-hosting six of Jane’s women friends, known affectionately as the LAGs (Les Arcs Girls), and what a wonderful time we spent together! Jane and Ian were such amazing hosts providing us with memories of beautiful food, wine, stories, laughter and walks in that crystal, clear mountain air that we all loved.
We enjoyed, as always, your quiet presence and company Ian on those special occasions in Châtel – thank you!

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• Your Name: Margaret Stewart

I have so many great memories of Ian. We have know you all for so long. Firm friends. My first memory was of Ian giving me skiing lessons at Kilternan and picking me up smiling as I tumbled down the slope. He was a great teacher. He used to make me eggs for breakfast in Chatel every morning and we looked forward to our little breakfast chats. I think you were already out on the slopes Jane. Fond memories of all the school plays and sports days where Paul and Ian would be clapping. I loved our BBQ evenings also. The last precious memory was when Ian directed my partner Patrick Bergin singing. Leonard Cohen’s ‘Anthem’ at the Concert Hall. I sat with Ian throughout the whole show and enjoyed watching and learning from ‘The Maestro’. Thank you Ian for a the wonderful memories and dearest Jane… I’m always here for you and the girls whenever you may need me. Big hugs. Helen Xx🎶🎶❤️

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• Your Name: Helen Goldin

I am so heartedly sorry to hear about Ian Mc Garry’s illness, we were classmates in WESTLAND ROW many years ago now. Please tell IAN I will pray for him 🙏.

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• Your Name: John Kenny

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.

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• Your Name: Stephanie McGetrick