Bridie Gallagher

Programme 4
Fil performs "The Homes of Donegal" with guitarist Steve Cooney and "The Castle of Dromore" with Finbar Furey and remembers the wonderful life of BRIDIE GALLAGHER "the Girl from Donegal".

Including an interview with Bridie herself, and with contributors Daniel O'Donnell, Hugo Duncan, David Hammond, Bridie's son Jim Livingstone and others.

Bridie Gallagher was born in 1924 in Creeslough in the North of Donegal and began her singing career singing at local dances and concerts before moving to Belfast at the age of 14 where she continued to sing in shows and concerts.

Her first single record "A Mother's Love's A Blessing" was released in 1956, becoming an immediate success in Ireland and Britain and leading to her first LP - "The Girl from Donegal" - which quickly became the name that Bridie would be known by for the rest of her life. This included her most famous recording, "The Boys from the Co. Armagh".

Bridie has sold millions of records in a career that spanned the entire second half of the 20th century and has influenced generations of country and Irish stars including Daniel O'Donnell. Bridie retired from performing in 2000 and still lives in Belfast.