‘Don’t you look purdy’: Limerick artist’s special memory of Dolly Parton

A LIMERICK artist has recalled her brush with stardom and getting her portrait of Dolly Parton signed by the Queen of Country who sadly passed away on Tuesday, aged 80.

Another local link is through Limerick native Eugene Naughton, president of Dollywood Parks & Resorts in Tennessee.

“The greatest privilege of my life has been helping Dolly bring her dreams to life at Dollywood,” said Mr Naughton.

“Dolly’s heart was as vast as the mountains she cherished, and her compassion knew no bounds. She inspired generations to dream boldly and love deeply.

“While we grieve her loss, we are honored and committed to carry her light forward. Her legacy will continue to shine in every melody sung, every smile shared and every dream kindled within these gates,” he continued.

Mr Naughton said, together, we honor her by carrying forward her message of love, perseverance, and hope.

One of Dolly’s countless fans is Barbara Hartigan, Castleconnell, who spent decades painting portraits of famous names and politely asking them to autograph them.

Mother Teresa, George Best, Bill Clinton, Lionel Richie are just some of the household names to sign her artwork but Dolly Parton had eluded her until 2007.

“It is such a special memory,” said Barbara following Dolly’s passing.

She wrote in her book Putting Names on Faces - Confessions of a Portrait Painting Stalker that after reading in the Irish Times that Dolly was performing in Millstreet that she would go and try her luck.

Barbara contacted Noel C Duggan who built and owned the Green Glens Arena where Dolly was due to perform on March 31, 2007.

“Knowing the difficulties that surround the greats of stage and screen - the security, the protocol and the protective army of bouncers - I decided I had better enlist the help of the Duggan family. A letter was duly dispatched, notifying them of our pending visit (along with five thousand others) and permission to secure the signature.

“The phone call by return invited us to come early in the afternoon and to come straight to the family home where we would park our car and discuss the strategy with military precision.

"’I will write a letter telling her all about you, and we will organise to get the picture to her, we'll have a mighty day!’ was the parting shot. The big guns were primed on this campaign.

“D- Day Dolly dawned glorious sunshine, fresh new spring greens and daffodils everywhere. Excitement, anticipation and apprehension almost smothered us as we headed south to Millstreet.”

There was a slight delay as Barbara rang the doorbell, then Mrs Duggan appeared.

“Her expression said it all. ‘Barbara. I don't know how to tell you, the show is cancelled. Noel is down at the Arena; go down to him, he is shattered. The rigging for the show that supports the lights is not the correct span and they will not let us assist in adapting the system for health, safety and insurance reasons.; The show is off and Dolly has left the building.

“Our hearts went out to the Duggan family, their anguish added to by every car that drove up filled with expectant, disappointed and sometimes angry Dolly fans. We said our goodbyes and set off home. As with every portrait, you win some and you lose some.”

Half an hour down the road, Barbara’s (pictured above) mobile rang.

"’Would you be prepared to travel to Dublin on Monday?"’ ‘Oh Yes!’ ‘Make your plans and I'll be in touch, we may have lost the battle but we haven't lost the war.’”

On April 2, 2007, Barbara’s 61st Birthday, she headed for the Point Depot.

“The aborted trail was now hotting up. A text message from Mary Kelly of Aiken Promotions advised us to be at the Point at six o'clock sharp for a meet and greet session with Dolly. The Parton portrait with its permanent marker attached and explanatory letter was firmly held as we queued with about a dozen other fans.

“‘Ladies and gentlemen, please stand back against the wall in single file. There are no photographs, no autographs, no gifts and no cameras. Madam you can’t take that picture in with you. Hand it over please. You can pick it up on your way out.’

“The look in his eyes told me that he wouldn't appreciate the fact that today was my birthday so swallowed hard and handed over the portrait.”

At the top of the queue, Barbara entered through the heavy red velvet drapes where a very familiar face and accent awaited.

"’Well don't you look purdy. I jus' love your outfit! Do a twirl for me!’ There she was all five foot nothing, swathed in soft green leather with diamante trim and the warmest personality delivered in an old smokey mountain Tennessee accent.

“‘Tell me all about yourself, what you do an' where you come from?"

“‘l'm Barbara Hartigan, and I was to meet you in Millstreet 'cos I painted your portrait and I hoped you would sign it 'cos Bl Clinton did and so did Mother Teresa and John Denver and fifty two other people but I know you don't do autographs so it doesn't matter 'cos I'm really glad to meet you, an' I hope you enjoy your visit to Ireland an' I'm a great fan of yours an' it's a watercolour.’ (Silence due to oxygen deprivation!)”

Dolly said: “Tell me Barbara, will I get to see this portrait? Where is it? Can you get it back to me? You let me see it an I'l see what I can do!"

With great purpose, Barbara left to reclaim her confiscated creation.

"’Excuse me, would you please bring this backstage, Dolly wants to see it’.

Mary Kelly shepherds Barbara to the front foyer and produced two tickets for the show.

“Could life get any better? Safely seated in our seats a full hour before the show is due to start, we soak up the atmosphere and wonder will she sign it or not. At the interval, Mary Kelly arrives up to our row of seats carrying a large black plastic bag and she is smiling. We open the portrait to read in strong confident writing the inscription: ‘To Barbara, with Love and Thanks, Dolly Parton 2007’.”

The portrait has had pride of place in the Hartigan household for years.