Mick O'Riordan's Birthday - 12th Nov.

Christy Moore's Viva La Quince Brigada!

My father, Irish International Brigader Michael O'Riordan, was born on November 12, 1917 and died on May 18, 2006. I thought it appropriate to celebrate what would have been his 91st birthday today, November 12, by sharing with you all a song: Christy Moore's powerful tribute to the Fifteenth Brigade's Connolly Column - "Viva la Quince Brigada!" - concerning which Christy himself has generously written:

"Without Michael O'Riordan I'd never have been able to write "Viva la Quince Brigada!". I must have performed the song over a thousand times and every single time I sing it I think of Mick and wonder how can I ever thank him enough. In Spain in 1983 I was reading his book, Connolly Column - the story of the Irishmen who fought for the Spanish Republic, and I began this song as I read on. The song was lifted entirely from his book."

SEE www.rte.ie/news/2006/0518/oriordanm.html for Irish TV reports of my father's death - on both Six One News and Nine News - incl. Christy Moore singing for him, for the very last time outside Dublin's Liberty Hall on October 15, 2005, the song he had inspired: "Viva La Quince Brigada!"

SEE www.youtube.com/watch?v=pW1MUpZT4ug&feature=related for Christy singing this song live in concert in 2006.

SEE also www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Qypb3JIZN4 for his TV recording of "Viva La Quince Brigada!"

Salud!

Manus O'Riordan