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Beatles Road Manager arrives in Moville for BeatlesFest

Posted Thursday, August 12, 2010

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Beatles Road Manager arrives in Moville for BeatlesFest

It was a long and winding road for Beatles Road Manager and head of Apple Records and Films, Tony Bramwell, that led him on Wednesday to the door of the 4th running of Ireland’s only annual BeatlesFest in Moville, Donegal.

After a road journey from his home in Totnes in Devon to Exeter airport and an air flight to George Best Airprort in Belfast he was then driven to the Magilligan ferry by Caroline Fleck of Downtown Radio who wanted to hear more of his tales of the Fab Four and the Sixties and beyond, and to pick his brains about the music industry.

BeatlesFest

At Magilligan they were met by BeatlesFest organiser Gerry McLaughlin and his son Robbie along with Senator Cecilia Keaveney.

Said BeatlesFest organiser Gerry McLaughlin “Tony had been delayed at Exeter airport and so was late arriving at Magilligan. As the minutes ticked by my mind started playing tricks. I was wondering if he would show up.

"I was even wondering if it was a hoax or even a practical joke. Surely I must have been foolish to think that the guy who knew the Beatles better than anyone else and whose list of friends is a Who’s Who of the greats of the Sixties as well as others like Bruce Springsteen was coming to our festival in Moville”.

Foyle Ferry

However, Tony arrived with Caroline about 20 minutes before the ferry was due and he had his first pint of Guinness at The Point before boarding he ferry for Greencastle.

Tony, Gerry and Robbie were shown to the ‘VIP Lounge’ on the ferry and saw the Moville Rowing Club rowing manfully (and womenfully) against the tide and in the driving rain towards Greencastle.

According to Rowing Club member Kate McLaughlin “We had become convinced that Tony would have changed his mind and said ‘No thanks’ by the time we got there”.

Rowed the Boat Ashore

However, after searching through his bag for his hat, which he got whilst with Paul McCartney in Nashville two weeks ago, he climbed into one of the four boats and set off the three miles to Moville.

Asked how he felt when he clambered out of the boat at Moville Pier, he said “Wet! It seems that they do this for fun every week.”

Thankfully the forecast is much better for the weekend.

Rosatos

After having his picture taken with the members of his floating cortege Tony spent the evening checking out Rosatos where he will appear in An Audience With Tony Bramwell on Sunday.

He will also be appearing in The Town Clock on Friday night along with members of Derry’s Thumping Jellyfish and with Belfast’s Colenso Parade in the Caiseal Mara on Saturday night.