The Wonderful Tune by William Cox & Richard McHugh, told by Jack Whyte

This is just a short note to thank you for the fine touches that you brought to the recent performance of the musical story that William Cox and I, myself, collaborated on: The Search for the Wonderful Tune performed at the Alpert Gallery in downtown Boston. I thought that your bodhrán & bones playing added a lift to the music that sparkled pieces which I, myself, have worked on for five or more months and still, didn't fully realize some of their subtleties.

You have a gift for bringing out the essence and life of a tune with your understated, yet boldly confident and precise precision...Also having had my hair turn gray trying to work with the artistic temperaments of some artists working in the Celtic Realm, I must say that not only were you a master of your instrument, but you had the added bonus of being able to take direction and follow it willingly, joyously and correctly as given. I think, particularly, the final chase scene could not have been pulled off so well, but for the likes of you with your sensitivity and discipline.

M’le buíochas ort! (A thousand thanks.)
Richard D. McHugh, March 29, 1984

Allison and the Blackstone written and told by Marc Joel Levitt

"Many thanks for your work on the Blackstone River project. Your combination of professionalism and theatricality combined with your unusual musical abilities brought life to my narrative. It is not often that I find a percussionist who can combine improvisation and craft; one whose main purpose is to enhance a collective project." -- Marc Levitt

Tom Robert's "A State of Hope: Irish Immigration During the Potato Famine," presented by The Newport Historical Society & funded in part by grants from the National Endowment for the Arts, as distributed through The Rhode Island Committee for the Humanities.

Letter of support from Mary Robinson, President of Ireland

I am very pleased to send my warmest good wishes to the Newport Historical Society for the success of their project, "A State of Hope: Irish Immigration to Rhode Island."

While many have left Ireland over the centuries, there can be no doubt that the Great Famine which started in Ireland 150 years ago, was a major focal point in the history of Irish emigration. The Newport Historical Society project is significant as it concentrates on the letters between emigrants and their families in Ireland, in assessing the impact of the Famine. These letters, while presenting historians with many challenges in their interpretation, are and have been tangible links between emigrants, their descendants and their Irish heritage. As sources of historical research, they offer accounts of personal experiences which, while originally intended for limited circulation, can be measured against contemporary media reports to give a more complete picture of the people who lived in those troubled years.

I commend the Newport Historical Society on this interesting and timely project.