Maureen’s CD raises hundreds for Guide Dogs NI

Maureen’s CD raises hundreds for Guide Dogs NI

9 December 2020

SONGS from the childhood of Ballyhornan woman Maureen Gill-Sharp have raised £1,000 for Guide Dogs Northern Ireland.

The money was raised as proceeds from Mrs Gill-Sharp’s new CD of old Irish songs recalled from her childhood.

The CD — I Stand on a Lonely Seashore — has proved to be a hit with local people as only a small quantity of the CD remains available. 

Known for her popular books, Moonlight on Ballyhornan Bay and Memoirs of a Ballyhornan Girl, Mrs Gill-Sharp previously raised over £2,600 for the charity, enabling her to name and sponsor a trainee guide dog puppy called Thomas.

The CD has both local historical connections for Mrs Gill-Sharp, who is in her late eighties, as well as close emotional ones. 

The CD cover shows a young Maureen on the shore at Ballyhornan in the 1930s.

“Many of the songs were learnt on my mother’s knee and at Dunsford school in Chapeltown many years ago,” she explained.

“So I knew the words off by heart at a very early age. To this day I can remember the songs very well and sing them often. A number of people over the years have asked me for the words and the air to some of the old songs, many of which they had never heard before.”

Naturally, her home village is included in the collection with the inclusion of the song, Ballyhornan in the Old County Down.

One of the famous songs connected to a local place is I’m Sitting on the Stile Mary, a poignant song written by Lady Dufferin of Killyleagh.

Mrs Gill-Sharp is delighted to have been able to support Guide Dogs NI once more.

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who purchased a copy of the CD. A cheque for £1,000 has been sent to the Guide Dogs NI headquarters in Belfast. 

“Many thanks also to all those who purchased a copy of the book Memoirs of a Ballyhornan Girl or who made a donation for the open garden. “Unfortunately we were unable to run an ‘Open Garden’ event this year due to the coronavirus restrictions, but we hope to be able to run the event next year all being well.”

To buy a CD or book, visit www.ballyhornan.com or the Guide Dogs NI Facebook page.