Ann Quain (née Neeson) (b. 1930) (part 1)

Ann Quain is the daughter of Geraldine and Seán Neeson, and her home is enhanced by wonderful memorabilia of her parents’ lives and careers. Geraldine Neeson was a piano teacher and fine performer, and was also an actor, radio presenter and journalist, and she is recalled by her daughter with great admiration and affection. Seán Neeson was a Gaelgeoir, lecturer in Music at UCC and predecessor to Seán Ó Riada in that position. He was a contemporary of Aloys Fleischmann Snr, and his wife Tilly anecdotally recalls her parents’ long association with the Fleischmann family. Ann herself has been steeped in the arts from her earliest years. She attended St Angela’s College where her mother taught, which created interesting tensions! Ann recalls her first auditions as an actor, her early days in ballet with Joan Denise Moriarty, the wonderfully creative work undertaken by Prof. Aloys Fleischmann and Joan Denise Moriarty. She also recalls An Tostal and her performances with the CCYMS in Castle Street. Her vivid memories of the death of her mother Geraldine Neeson are also included in the recording.