‘MUSIC BRINGS US ALL TOGETHER’
A Castlewellan grandmother who’s dedicated her life to music is now passing on that passion – with a little help from Ed Sheeran.
Mandi Millar reports
Castlewellan muso Mona Owens mightn’t have Ed Sheeran on her speed dial – but she knows a man who does.
For George Lowden, from Downpatrick, is the international luthier whose handmade instruments are loved by guitar greats from Springsteen to Clapton, Swift to Capaldi – and of course Ed Sheeren.
He now collaborates with the Co Down craftsman, whose guitars can cost thousands, on a range of more affordable instruments aimed at younger players, The Sheeran by Lowden.
“When Ed was 14 he always wanted a Lowden, like me! But he couldn’t afford one. In later years that changed and he now plays his famous ‘Wee Lowden’, gifted to him by Gary Lightbody of Snowpatrol,” explains Mona, who got to know George when he designed a trophy for her in memory of her nephew, another local musician.
“Ed never forgot his 14-year-old self and that’s why he’s collaborating with George on The Sheeran by Lowden, to encourage more young people to take up the instrument,” continues Mona who finally got her treasured Lowden for her 60th birthday from daughters Emma and Olivia.
With this in mind Mona – who after a lifetime in the entertainment world now teaches guitar in local schools as well as running two choirs and other musical fundraiser events – recently approached George to see if he would donate a Sheeran by Lowden to the winner of a guitar playing competition she was organising.
“My adjudicators were a past pupil of mine, Eoin Flynn from Dundrum and my nephew Dr Finbar McGrady, lead guitarist with the band Raised on Rock,” continues Mona.
Left hander Padraig O’Higgins from Leitrim won and received the sought-after instrument.
“It was the first left handed model like this George had ever made so it’s a world fist! I’d called at George’s Crossgar factory to tell him about the winners but when I mentioned our joint runners-up, Castlewellan’s Sam Rice and Cuan McMurray from Dundrum, he excused himself for a minute to make a phone call,” recalls Mona.
In fact he’d been phoning Ed Sheeran in the States directly about giving another two guitars to these lads as well.
“Honestly you couldn’t make it up!” laughs Mona who, with hubby Eamon has daughters and four grandchildren, is set on dedicating her so-called ‘retirement years’ to get more kids playing guitar.
This chapter in her life follows a career on the professional local music scene performing in pubs, clubs and dinner dances up and down the country.
Many in the 1970s will have swayed to the sound of The Night People, founded by Mona’s bother Michael McGladery and which she subsequently joined, or more the trad and country-driven sound of The Western Folk.
But before any of that Mona’s love of music was ignited in St Malachy’s High, by Castlewellan teacher Sister Mary Hugh.
“I’m basically a very shy person but she’d get me to sing Jim Reeves’ This World is Not My Home, on my own, unaccompanied!” recalls Mona.
“But it was great training for years later when I’d front dinner dances from the Ivanhoe and Millbrook Lodge to the Burrendale and the Slieve Donard as a one-woman band.”
However, if it was Sister Mary Hugh who inspired her love of singing it was her brother Michael who inspired Mona’s life-long passion for the guitar.
“Michael taught woodwork in St Malachy’s and had actually made his own guitar. I got second hand one and in the evenings we’d work out harmonies,” says Mona.
“We’d get mummy to listen to us and of course she thought we could do no wrong!
“Och we were blessed with the best of parents – dad Peter, who was in a ceilidh band in Leitrim, and mum Rosaleen. Our home was full of love and care for one another and that’s carried on through the years,” continues Mona who now dedicates much time to giving back to her community.
As a result about 15 years ago, she started the first of her two choirs the Castlewellan Interchurch Choir following a tragic local death.
“It brought whole place completely down, so I decided to get local entertainers together to make a fundraising CD for suicide prevention charity PIPS or Mind Your Mate and Yourself as it’s become. They’ve just opened a new base in Newcastle,” explains Mona.
“Our cross community all age choir sang Lean On Mean for the CD and raised thousands.
“We enjoyed it so much we’ve carried on ever since and rehearse weekly in The Lodge cultural centre in Castlewellan.”
Mona’s second choir the Moneydarragh Melody Makers is based in Annalong and has just celebrated its first anniversary.
Both performed this year at Stormont, invited by local MLA Colin McGrath.
“It was just before the Assembly returned after its two-year break, so I like to think we maybe played a part in that! Music is just such great therapy no matter who you are,” says Mona who found solace in her music after losing her nephew and fellow musician Nial Rice from Ballynahinch, who died suddenly at just 35.
“That’s when I first got to know George Lowden after asking him to make me a trophy in memory of my sister and brother-in-law Rose-Marie and Terry’s son Niall. I award it annually to the winner of fundraising guitar competitions I run for Daisy Lodge Cancer Fund for Children,” says Mona who’s already filling the diary for next year.
“Please God if my health continues I’ll keep on with what I’m doing. Music has enriched my life, brought me such joy and contentment.
“I can’t put it into words how it makes me feel to see people enjoying the music we’re creating. The atmosphere is electric at times.
“Bringing people together in music obliterates loneliness and depression and that’s why I do this. It’s the best therapy.”
