Why tonight did Dana singing “All Kinds of everything” bring a tear to my eye?
The answer is context.
She won it many years ago, for Ireland, at a dark time for her city. It was probably the hardest time imaginable for the people there. Can’t add much to that. If Derry does nothing else as its year as culture city that was its best moment for me and I think it changed much about its view of itself. Derry is now a self confident city. It also has a swagger and hands on hips arrogance. I’d be proud to be a Derryman even though I’m not. Good luck lads and girls but I don’t think you’ll ever experience a better moment than that Dana win. My heart swelled even today watching it again. I was a Derryman for a day.
"We in coming days may be" 
Dana and me…the truth can now be told. About a month after the Eurovision Contest…Dana appeared at Clonard Hall in West Belfast. I went to see her. I was just turning 18.
In the early 1990s we were watching Dana on TV and I said to Ms FJH I saw Dana in 1970 at Clonard Hall and Mrs FJH said that she used to the cloakroom and carried Danas dress into the Hall. Of course We didn’t know each other then. I should add that Mrs FJH is a much younger person than me. This was her way of getting into Clonard Hall as she was underage.
Because I am such a wild and crazy guy…I wrote to Dana and told her this heart warming story. And she wrote back a little note….and sent us an autographed pic.
Isn’t this er….interesting?
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I would be proud to say I never liked the song or Dana. I would be but I can’t imagine I’m the only one not too impressed with the woman or the song. She is somewhere among the long list of people I have never wished to meet or hear.
Talk about writers block!
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Pippakin,
I have to admit I wouldn’t have much time for her in her later incarnation. I was, I suppose, trying to say that for one moment in time I think she was a perfect antidote for a city that was going through a very difficult time, thanks for your comment
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You’re welcome…
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