Louth legend Liam Reilly celebrated at the museum in Dundalk

The County Museum, Dundalk has put a new collection on display to coincide with the Legends of Louth Festival.

The Liam Reilly collection was recently lent to the museum by Liam’s sisters with some of these items exhibited for the first time.

Museum Curator, Brian Walsh said: “This collection reflects the life and achievement one of the country’s greatest songwriters.

“For a generation the poignancy and beauty of his music in songs such as Summer in Dublin and Second Violin reflect an Ireland very different to the one we have today.

“This collection captures this and given that Bagatelle are playing in Dundalk this was too great an opportunity to put together this short display of his life.

“We’re indebted to Liam’s sisters that they wanted to share Liam’s life with us and are humbled by their generosity.”

Among the items of interest on display are a jacket with the Bagatelle name stitched on the back, a variety of promotional posters for Liam and the band, a signed copy of the single Somewhere in Europe as well as a note from Shay Healy wishing Liam good luck as he represented Ireland in the Eurovision Song Contest in 1990.

Mr. Walsh continued: “For a particular generation the note from Shay Healy will be of particular interest as it is written on Nighthawks headed paper.

“This is essentially a snapshot in time of Ireland just before the Celtic Tiger and the 1990 World Cup.

“It captures the imagination in ways that are almost dizzying!”.

The display is open to the public and is free of admission.  It will run until May 15.

More information may be had by contacting the County Museum, Dundalk at 042 9392999. The County Museum, Dundalk is a service provided by Louth County Council.