IBM Honours Bestowed by John & Carol Pye

The International President of The International Brotherhood of Magicians John Pye and his good lady Carol are currently on a whirlwind tour of Irish magic clubs.  In addition to promoting The IBM and enjoying the company of his Irish friends John is also awarding Presidential Citations to certain magicians in appreciation for the support and contribution to the IBM and magic in Ireland.

Last Tuesday night at the SIM Pat Fallon (pictured with John and Carol) was honoured. He is joined by John Bowden, Joe O'Donnell, Paddy Ward and Vincent Finucane.  Congratulation to one an all.

More Leprechaun's

Thank you to Paddy Ward, Michael Pierce, Martin Duffy and an anonomous other who have rejoined the Leprechaun list.  While meeting some of the guys in Blackpool, it was very heartening to hear how this site means so much to them.  Lads, your generosity is very much appreciated. 

Congratulations to Paddy Ward

Congratulations to Paddy Ward who was inaugurated into the Order of Merlin in Virginia, Norfolk, USA on July 5th this year.   The photo shows Paddy being congratulated on his achievement by the new IBM President, John Pye, at the British Ring 25 convention which was held in Great Yarmouth last month.

News from Shannonside

Limerick has always been a prominent city when it comes to magic in Ireland.  The fresher faces on the scene stand on the strong shoulders of many of the city's seasoned pro's.  One of those saesoned pro's sent us the following message...

"LIMERICK MAGIC STILL ALIVE. The Great Padin And Vincento performed 60 minutes of Magic for 100 Children with Disabilities at Saint Gabriels school.After show Paddy and Vincent gave every kid a magic wand and soft toy. The Teachers said it was a joy to hear them laugh and in some cases participating Teachers said our Magic is great better than any therapy. Over the June bank holaday weekend Padini performed at the 180 bedroom Clare Inn Hotel to capacity crowds the show was so well received he was immediately booked to perform his Magic show during months of July/Aug.[and my Family think i should be taking it easy] What keeps me active is the buzz the reaction from your audience and of course putting on a good entertaining Magic show. ORDER OF MERLIN INDUCTION. i was invited by the IBM to a formel presentation of this award at there annual businnes meeting in Virginia.USA on July 5th.Vanni Pule President sent me a personel congratulatory note.Pity i can't attend.  REGARDS PADDY."

No Slow Down for Paddy Ward

The family of Paddy Ward sent along the following little bit.  It sure is lovely to see someone loving what they do so much. 

As part of Padini's  family (daughter Michelle and grand daughter Lisa) we thought we would take this opportunity to write to Irish Magic News, as he is away on holidays in Lanzarote at the moment!

We have asked him to slow down, as he will be 77 this coming February, but all he said was "get lost....you must be joking"!!  We know people say hi is still performing as good as ever and, we can assure this to be the case.  He performed some close up magic in our local bar (Casey's in Sixmilebridge) on St. Stephen's Day, as part of our charity fund raiser for Milford Hospice, and he had everyone mesmerized.  I heard one man say that he was still the "King"!  At 77 years of age he still pulls in the crowds and had a very busy Christmas.  He tells us that he already has bookings for Christmas next year, and is fully booked for Communions and Confirmations in 2012.

Will he ever learn??  To our relief he did cut back on the long distance travelling to perform but that was even a chore to get him to do that!!  Both Vincent Finnucane and himself perform lots of charity gigs - nursing homes, day care centres etc. etc. along with organising shows for various good causes. He tells us that the reward for all this is seeing the joy and hearing the laughter from these people, which is worth it's weight in gold.  Dad has been performing on stage since he was 11 (a long time) and performed all the way up through his working life as an engineer and director. The friends that he has made over the years through magic are countless, and a testament to the fantastic community of magic that is worldwide.  Only for them and the magic, dad would not have coped with the death of our mother Josie at a time when they should have been looking forward to their future together and enjoying the latter years together.  

So, a BIG thank you to all involved in magic and have been part of dad's journey so far.  I'm sure he still has more people to meet and entertain for several years to come!!  As he says - the most important thing is enjoying what you do, be yourself, dress well, present the show in an entertaining way and you will never be short of work, even at the age off 77 - MAGIC KEEPS YOU ALIVE!!

I'm attaching a photo taken at the children's show at St. Michael's School in Tipperary for 300 children.

Thanking you.

Michelle Hogan

Update on Tuesday, January 17, 2012 at 10:42PM by Brendan Byrne

Martin Duffy sent me tribute to Paddy, titled The Padini Twist, a few moments ago.  

Following on from the recent article re Paddy Ward, I would like to add the following tribute to Paddy.

Many of the great Magicians have had moves named after them.

For example, the Elmsley count or the Hammon count.

Marlo, Koran and Baker spring to mind. But all of these moves pale into insignificance when compared to the Padini Twist.

Faster than Batman with the runs, on his way to the Toilet.

Tougher than a Skinheads boot, funnier than Ken Dodd’s tickling stick. The Padini Twist is guaranteed to slay the toughest audience..

So what is The Padini Twist and who is the man behind it all? I hear you say.

Put simply The Padini Twist is a belief system which states that all the magic that you do should be entertaining first and very magical a close second. Not for Paddy, a very clever vanish with a TT which sometimes screams “ look how clever I am “. Paddy twists this by saying, “ do you see this piece of material? It’s part of my wife’s nightdress, I love making it disappear!

This always brings a smile and laughter to Paddy’s audience. They can’t fail to warm to the man. Everything is said with a mischievous smile and a twinkle in Paddy’s eye and the audience know that they are in for a good time.

Paddy’s magic is rooted in sound common sense. Only yesterday I saw an ad for Michael Ammar’s little hand gimmick. A snip at twenty pounds the ad said. Paddy goes to the local charity shop and buys a doll, he cuts off both hands and has two gimmicks for a euro. Who is the real pro?

Don’t get me wrong, Paddy is no joker when it comes to magic. Paddy’s father was a magician and Paddy grew up learning his craft. He really can cut the mustard so to speak and does so on many occasions. On a recent visit to Paddy, he did a floating wand routine that has to be seen. I said to Paddy, “ tell me that you practice that every day “. Paddy tells me that he hasn’t touched the wand in six months, a measure of the man.

The man behind the move is an even bigger story.

A larger than life figure in many ways, Paddy is a big man with a big heart. Generous with both his time and knowledge, he has very much helped me with my magic since I turned pro. Paddy being an engineer by profession is a very practical man who is blessed with a great streak of creativity. In many ways two opposites coming together to make a very unique magical talent. Rather than just winning magic competitions, and Paddy has won quite a few, Paddy has won the hearts of the people of Limerick where he lived for many years. Walking with him down the street, the car horns honk, the people stop to salute and have the craic with the Great Padini. Paddy armed to the teeth with more weapons of mass deception than Saddam Hussein is soon doing a sponge ball routine and gathering a crowd. I reckon Paddy kissed more women and babies that day than any politician on the campaign trail!

Paddy regularly travels up to Dublin and holds centre stage when five or six of us magicians meet up and have the craic with Munster’s finest.

Paddy who is seventy seven continues to encourage and inspire myself and other magicians and it’s always done with no wish for praise or reward.

To me Paddy is the magician with the likeability factor and audiences very quickly warm to him and trust him. The essence of Paddy is a man who is good at what he does, likes what he does and shows it in his performances.

I wish Paddy many more years of good health and enjoyment on the great magical journey of life.

Martin Duffy.

Update on Friday, January 20, 2012 at 6:39PM by Brendan Byrne

Paddy himself fent us the following note earlier today.

"Hi Irishmagicnews,following my daughters note re me taking things easy.both Terance Andrews and myself performed monday last for 60 mins in Carrigoran Nursing home for 75 Senior citizens photos  attached .When i see the smiles coming on the faces of these unfortunate people and hear them laugh it makes me think isn't it great to be active and well  and be able to bring a little happiness to these people some who dont have any relations visiting them. Terance, Vincent Finucane and myself [Vincent who was'nt with us on this occasion due to hospitalisation for minor operation] usually arrive about an hour before show after setting up, we spend 40mins mixing and talking to them.i will keep up performing with the same vigour as always.Just got word Vincent is fine and the way home."

Paddy Ward is a Leprechaun

Thanks to Paddy Ward who recently jumped on our Leprechaun cart again.  Much Much appreciated Paddy, cheers.

Living Head Illusion

Apologies to Paddy Ward and the lads in Limerick who sent the following to us some time back.  It somehow managed to sneak through the cracks.

THE LIVING HEAD ILLUSION 

"This old illusion has been performed over the last number of years by the members of the Munster Society of Magicians, and has raised thousands of euros for various charities in the Munster area.  On Sunday, June 27^th last, it was the main attraction at the Charleville Agricultural Show, which was attended by over 30,000 people – you can imagine the amount of “viewers” we had!!  Afterwards, the Charleville committee said it was a great attraction and the highlight of the festival.  Anyone wishing to see this illusion is welcome to view it at the Milford Hospice fund raising day on the first Sunday in September.  We will also have it up and running in the Bunratty Castle Folk Park over the Halloween festivities.  So if you are in either area, it would be worth your while seeing it. 

Some years ago I, Paddy Ward, commissioned Pat Harbison (RIP) to build the illusion.  I asked Vincent Finucane and Terence Andrews if they would be interested in sharing the cost/ownership of it with me, to which they agreed.  We then purchased a marquee, curtains etc. in order to display it in its rightful glory.  As you can see from the pictures attached, we use Paddy Clancy’s head.  It takes a bit of work to set it all up, but the four of us work together to ensure a good presentation.  It is gratifying to hear the comments from the people as they pass through the marquee – wondering and guessing on how it is done!  Paddy Clancy is an excellent “head” and has very witty answers to all the people’s various questions.   

The Living Head is solely for raising funds for various charities. 

Note:  The Munster Society of Magicians is as strong as ever with 32 members from various counties i.e. Limerick, Clare, Galway, Kerry, Cork and Kilkenny.  Both Vincent Finucane and myself perform at least once a week in a nursing home and/or day care centre for the elderly and disabled children, and bring great joy and happiness to all who see our shows.  It is regularly commented that more of this type of charity work should be done." 

Yours in magic, 

Paddy Ward 

Vincent Finucane 

Terence Andrews 

Padini lecture reviewed

Padini aka Paddy Ward lectured for the Munster Society of Magicians and Pat Fallon was thereto catch it for IrishMagicNews.

"John Bowden and myself joined forces and made the trip to Limerick for the Munster Society of Magicians final event of this years calendar, Rope Magic with Paddy Ward. It is during a night like this that you realize how versatile a piece of rope can be and the vast number of different tricks that are possible with such a simple object.

We were treated to several different versions of cut and restored rope,
linking ropes, ropes through body, rope with four ends and an array of
sliding and vanishing knots. Unequal ropes also featured as did silk off
rope and Harold Taylor's cords, glass and silk. I had seen Paddy present many of these routines in his numerous winning competition acts over the years at the annual IBM Irish ring convention and I very much enjoyed another viewing. They were all well constructed and highly polished routines hat were perfected over many years of performing in different environments.

We were also treated to a virtual workshop on magnets and the correct way to fit them into the core of a rope and also to the value of 3M's Micro-poretape for the invisible joining of rope ends. This tip alone was for me worth the trip, so I need say no more except if you do rope magic, get this tape from the chemist as it will change your life. Paddy also shared an idea that impressed Juan Moral about his own rope trick when he performed and lectured at the convention in Limerick some years ago. Anyone who performs this effect with a fan will understand that by simply putting a staple in the fan it will greatly assist in helping to line up the magnets before the instant restoration of the rope.

Overall this was a very enjoyable evening but it was a great pity that so few people turned out to support the event. For me the new meeting venue lacks any sort of atmosphere and with a small crowd it could difficult for the performer to give his best, but Paddy Ward gave it his all. My only small gripe would be that Paddy could not credit the originators of many of the routines he demonstrated as he has been performing them for so long mow that he has forgotten where he got the from. Except of course 'The Conway Rope Trick' which is a very funny story that you deserve to hear from Paddy Wards own lips.

The long distance travellers, Pat Meany, John Bowden and myself headed to Supermacks' for some light refreshments and further discussion on magic and illusion before heading our separate ways."

Paddy ward's a leprechaun

Thank you to Limerick magician Paddy Ward for his recent donation.  These donations are really what keeps this site going.  Thanks again to you all.  If you would like to join Paddy and become a Leprechaun you can do so by donating in person or through Paypal on the site.

Our Leprechauns stay on the list for one year from their date of donation.  Both Pat Fallon and John Bowden re-donated and find themselves back on the top of the list from this issue.  Thanks to both of you for your continued support of IrishMagicNews.  Those who have donated will be notified when your year end is coming up, giving you the option to re-donate.  We realise times are financially tough for everyone so please don't feel obliged.  We appreciate the support you have already provided.  That being said new or repeat Leprechauns are warmly welcomed.