Mel Doherty who has been part of the Cavan arts and entertainment scene for decades will launch his book 'Mel's Your Man - A Cavan Memoir' - later today in conjunction wth Cavan Day celebrations.
Mel, a native of Co Longford, trained as a panel beater working on the old Ford cars and later set up his own business as a sign writer.
Then, a Cavan man by the name of John Donohoe, taught him how to play the harmonica and accordian, and then how to sing; and later Mel specialised in the songs of Percy French.
Roll on the years and the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic when the restrictions of 2020 and 2021 inspired Mel to put pen to paper and recall his memories.
The book will be launched at 3pm in Cavan's Townhall and here's Mel reciting a verse of 'Primrose Time in Cavan'.
It was primrose time in Cavan. I thought I was in heaven
As I heard the cuckoo calling and the skylark sing his lay.
I spied a little mother as primroses she was gathering
To beautify her altar for the station the next day.
Says I, "God save you kindly." Says she, "God save you, stranger.
Come in and have a cup of tea and make yourself at home.
I have been cleaning and a-scrubbing, white-washing and rubbing,
For it's primrose time in Cavan and the childer comin' home."
