Paddy Crosbie
Encyclopedia
Paddy Crosbiewas the Irish creator of the radio and television programes The School Around The Corner and Back To School.
He went to the infant school in Stanhope Street and on August 23, 1920 he entered the small gate of St. Paul’s Christian Brothers’ School, North Brunswick Street, known to Dubliners as “Brunner”. Little did he know then that he would spend 57 years in this school as pupil and teacher.
He was only four weeks in Brunner when the sound of shots put a stop to lessons for a short time. It was the day when a youth name Kevin Barry
had been captured by the British after an ambush. Two soldiers were killed. Five weeks later on November 1, he stood outside Mountjoy Jail with his mother and his older brother Martin Crosbie
, awaiting the notice of his execution.
He studied at St. Pauls's C.B.S., St. Patrick's Training College, Drumcondra and University College, Dublin.
A keen sportsman in his young days he won a special medal when defeating Austin Clarke, the all-Ireland singles handball champion, played steady hurling for the Dublin club Eoghan ruadh, and created a Dublin Tennis League record by never losing a singles set between 1938 and 1950!
He composed songs (most remembered would be the theme song for "School Around The Corner), comic rhyme and scripts for stage and television. He wrote two books Tales from the School Around the Corner in 1979 and Your Dinner's Poured Out in 1981.
His interest in the entertainment world began in the early nineteen forties when he used to write scripts for the amateur shows put on by a Dublin tennis club. It was Mike Nolan the well known comedian, of the forties and fifties, who introduced him to the powers-that-were and soon he was writing scripts for stars like Noel Purcell
and the Happy Gang in Dublin's Capitol Theatre
and the Theatre Royal
.
Crosbie needed more active participation and so in 1951 his famous school-boy act was born. He first took to the stage, in short trousers and skull-cap in Dublin's St. Francis Xavier Hall which was also the place which first rang to his signature tune, "The School Around The Corner".
In 1953 he stepped into a major place in Radio Éireann, compere of his own show, a new show conceived and conducted by himself. Starting with his own school the C.B.S. in North Brunswick Street, he launched The School Around The Corner.
The School Around The Corner began on radio at Easter, 1954, when Michael O h-Aodha gave the "idea" his blessing, Seamus Kavanagh took over as producer of the first short series. The producers who succeeded Seamus were Joan Dalton and Padraig O'Neill.
Jim (James) Plunkett
guided the School on to television, it was the 1st show to be pre-recorded for the new television station in 1961 and top of the TAM ratings up to when it was discontinued over five years later. The first episode was broadcast on 2 January 1962. On television the programme had many FIRSTS - first home feature in the top ten, first in first place and first to travel around the country. The programme continued until 1966 on RTÉ Television before returning to RTÉ Radio for another year. It was again revived on radio in 1973.
He won a Jacob's Award in 1964 "for his many amusing and entertaining contributions to Telefís Éireann".
Friends attending the service included Maureen Potter
, James Plunkett, Brendan Grace
, Maurice O’Doherty, president, Irish Actors’ Equity; Seán Ó Síocháin
, Chris Casey and Éamonn MacThomáis
. The Taoiseach
was represented by his aide de camp, Commdt. Christopher Leaney. Mr. Brian Fleming
, T.D., represented Fine Gael leader, Dr. Garret FitzGerald
.
During the Requiem Mass, the organist played “Knockmaroon” (Knockmaroon - sung by Paddy's brother Martin) a song that Paddy had written for his wife, Peg. “The School Around The Corner” was played on the organ as his remains were carried from the Church of the Immaculate Conception, Clondalkin. A garda escort led the funeral procession to Esker cemetery in Lucan.
Included in the inscription of his headstone is “The school around the corner is just the same”
Paddy's public image was that of the bluff schoolmaster-showman, wisecracking with the unscrubbed urchins who filled 'the school around the corner', or discoursing more gently with the elderly delinquents in ' Back to school'. He was a fair man to hold an audience, as the old Theatre royal patron would tell you. But there was a hardworking pro behind that public man. I saw it when as producer, I worked with him on radio programmes in the fifties and sixties. To be honest, producing Paddy's programmes meant little more than turning up for the recording. Paddy had everything organised. From his teacher friends, he would order a batch of what he used to describe as 'talkative boys', he would have them well sorted out, and the studio audience in place and versed in the opening song, and by the time recording started the young performers all knew their place in the programme and had more than a fair idea of what they were going to say and what the 'funny incident' was to be. It could have sounded contrived, but somehow Paddy would always keep a little bit in reserve, and get an extra bit of freshness from the children which would communicate itself to an appreciative audience. The young people's ambitions were elicited, their home life described, the 'hard words' explained and the boxes of sweets divided.
When he came up with the 'Back To School' format, he certainly was able to persuade people to come forward. Jack Lynch
, Liam Cosgrave
and Brendan Corish in turn all had their chat, told their funny incidents and played along with the game in great good humour. Ulick O'Connor
got huffed one night and walked off in the middle of an interview. We broadcast the whole incident uncut, and the world didn't shake.
We had a little Dublin man one day whose claim to fame was that he 'worked alonga Matt Talbot'. Paddy worked hard on this old gentleman who turned out to be surprisingly reticent on air, but later confessed to us privately that he didn't get on too well with the future Servant of God. "To tell you the truth," he said afterwards, "he was a cantankerous little oul b....". I suppose saints aren't easy to live with.
I shouldn't be the one to write about him as a teacher. Generations of his Brunswick Street past pupils know that side of him better. I knew him as a dedicated lover of the Irish language but I didn't ever meet him in what he often assured me was his favourite summer haunt, Béal Átha an Ghaorthaigh in West Cork. I only know a little about his visits to the sick, but I saw him in action when I was in hospital myself and got a cheering up from him in a crisp instruction to get back to work.
Because he remained a teacher until retiring age Paddy Crosbie never relinquished his 'semi-professional' tag in broadcasting terms. But in devoted attention to his radio and television work in his meticulous preparation for any broadcast, however small, and in his careful attention to the tiniest detail of a production he was one of the most complete professionals I ever met.
He seemed to me to be a very uncomplicated man who knew in what direction his God was to be found. May he rest in peace.
Artists who appeared regularly at the Capitol were Mike Nolan, Roy Croft, Freddie Doyle, Paddy Crosbie and Martin Crosbie. There was always a resident orchestra and a troop of dancers called the Capitol Girls under the leadership of Dolly Sparkes and Norah Flanagan.
Life
Born in Dublin on the 1st of October 1913 at 12A Bridewell Lane which was one of the houses converted from the old Smithfield Bridewell shortly before the First World War.;He went to the infant school in Stanhope Street and on August 23, 1920 he entered the small gate of St. Paul’s Christian Brothers’ School, North Brunswick Street, known to Dubliners as “Brunner”. Little did he know then that he would spend 57 years in this school as pupil and teacher.
He was only four weeks in Brunner when the sound of shots put a stop to lessons for a short time. It was the day when a youth name Kevin Barry
Kevin Barry
Kevin Gerard Barry was the first Irish republican to be executed by the British since the leaders of the Easter Rising. Barry was sentenced to death for his part in an IRA operation which resulted in the deaths of three British soldiers.Barry's death is considered a watershed moment in the Irish...
had been captured by the British after an ambush. Two soldiers were killed. Five weeks later on November 1, he stood outside Mountjoy Jail with his mother and his older brother Martin Crosbie
Martin Crosbie
Irish Tenor Older brother to Paddy Crosbie of the School Around the CornerMartin who was affectionately known as “The Miller’s daughter”, a song he made his own, started in show business in his very early 30’s.-Life:The eldest in a family of four, he was christened John Martin but was known as...
, awaiting the notice of his execution.
He studied at St. Pauls's C.B.S., St. Patrick's Training College, Drumcondra and University College, Dublin.
A keen sportsman in his young days he won a special medal when defeating Austin Clarke, the all-Ireland singles handball champion, played steady hurling for the Dublin club Eoghan ruadh, and created a Dublin Tennis League record by never losing a singles set between 1938 and 1950!
He composed songs (most remembered would be the theme song for "School Around The Corner), comic rhyme and scripts for stage and television. He wrote two books Tales from the School Around the Corner in 1979 and Your Dinner's Poured Out in 1981.
His interest in the entertainment world began in the early nineteen forties when he used to write scripts for the amateur shows put on by a Dublin tennis club. It was Mike Nolan the well known comedian, of the forties and fifties, who introduced him to the powers-that-were and soon he was writing scripts for stars like Noel Purcell
Noel Purcell (actor)
Noel Purcell was an Irish film and television actor.-Career:Purcell began his show business career at the age of 12 in Dublin's Gaiety Theatre. Later, he toured Ireland in a vaudeville act with Jimmy O'Dea....
and the Happy Gang in Dublin's Capitol Theatre
Capitol Theatre (Dublin)
The Capitol Theatre, located just off O'Connell Street, Dublin, began life on August 10, 1920 as the La Scala Theatre and Opera House. Despite its name, the La Scala was a cinema. Paramount Pictures took over the lease on the building and renamed it the Capitol. Under new management, the Capitol...
and the Theatre Royal
Theatre Royal, Dublin
At one stage in the history of the theatre in Britain and Ireland, the designation Theatre Royal or Royal Theatre was an indication that the theatre was granted a Royal Patent without which theatrical performances were illegal...
.
Crosbie needed more active participation and so in 1951 his famous school-boy act was born. He first took to the stage, in short trousers and skull-cap in Dublin's St. Francis Xavier Hall which was also the place which first rang to his signature tune, "The School Around The Corner".
In 1953 he stepped into a major place in Radio Éireann, compere of his own show, a new show conceived and conducted by himself. Starting with his own school the C.B.S. in North Brunswick Street, he launched The School Around The Corner.
The School Around The Corner began on radio at Easter, 1954, when Michael O h-Aodha gave the "idea" his blessing, Seamus Kavanagh took over as producer of the first short series. The producers who succeeded Seamus were Joan Dalton and Padraig O'Neill.
Jim (James) Plunkett
James Plunkett
James Plunkett Kelly, or James Plunkett , was an Irish writer. He was educated at Synge Street CBS.Plunkett grew up among the Dublin working class and they, along with the petty bourgeoisie and lower intelligentsia, make up the bulk of the dramatis personae of his oeuvre...
guided the School on to television, it was the 1st show to be pre-recorded for the new television station in 1961 and top of the TAM ratings up to when it was discontinued over five years later. The first episode was broadcast on 2 January 1962. On television the programme had many FIRSTS - first home feature in the top ten, first in first place and first to travel around the country. The programme continued until 1966 on RTÉ Television before returning to RTÉ Radio for another year. It was again revived on radio in 1973.
He won a Jacob's Award in 1964 "for his many amusing and entertaining contributions to Telefís Éireann".
Awards
- Jacob's Award in 1964.
- Benemerenti medalBenemerenti MedalThe Benemerenti medal was first awarded by Pope Pius VI to recognize military merit. In 1831 under Pope Gregory XVI a special Benemerenti medal was struck to reward thos who fought courageously in the papal army at Ferrara, Bologna, and Vienna...
, honoured by Pope John Paul IIPope John Paul IIBlessed Pope John Paul II , born Karol Józef Wojtyła , reigned as Pope of the Catholic Church and Sovereign of Vatican City from 16 October 1978 until his death on 2 April 2005, at of age. His was the second-longest documented pontificate, which lasted ; only Pope Pius IX ...
with the Papal decoration in 1979.
Death
He died suddenly at his home in Clondalkin on the 2nd September 1982 from a heart attack. He was laid to rest in the presence of some of the most important people in the political, theatrical and educational life of the country.Friends attending the service included Maureen Potter
Maureen Potter
Maria Philomena Potter , known as Maureen Potter, was an acclaimed Irish singer, actor, comedian and performer.-Life:...
, James Plunkett, Brendan Grace
Brendan Grace
Brendan Grace is an Irish comedian and singer. He is known for his comedy schoolboy character "Bottler", the role of Murphy in the 1995 movie Moondance, and his 1996 appearance in the Irish TV sitcom Father Ted as Father Fintan Stack.-Background:Born in the heart of Dublin in 1951, Brendan was...
, Maurice O’Doherty, president, Irish Actors’ Equity; Seán Ó Síocháin
Seán Ó Síocháin
Seán Ó Síocháin was an Irish footballer, hurler and ballad-singer who became General-Secretary of the GAA.-Life:...
, Chris Casey and Éamonn MacThomáis
Éamonn MacThomáis
Éamonn MacThomáis was an author, broadcaster, historian, Irish Republican, advocate of the Irish Language and lecturer. He presented his own series on Dublin on RTÉ during the 70s and was well known for guided tours and lectures of his beloved Dublin...
. The Taoiseach
Taoiseach
The Taoiseach is the head of government or prime minister of Ireland. The Taoiseach is appointed by the President upon the nomination of Dáil Éireann, the lower house of the Oireachtas , and must, in order to remain in office, retain the support of a majority in the Dáil.The current Taoiseach is...
was represented by his aide de camp, Commdt. Christopher Leaney. Mr. Brian Fleming
Brian Fleming
Brian Fleming is a former Irish Fine Gael politician who served both as a Teachta Dála and as a Senator.Fleming was first elected to Dáil Éireann at the 1981 general election for the constituency of Dublin West, and held the seat at the February 1982 general election...
, T.D., represented Fine Gael leader, Dr. Garret FitzGerald
Garret FitzGerald
Garret FitzGerald was an Irish politician who was twice Taoiseach of Ireland, serving in office from July 1981 to February 1982 and again from December 1982 to March 1987. FitzGerald was elected to Seanad Éireann in 1965 and was subsequently elected to Dáil Éireann as a Fine Gael TD in 1969. He...
.
During the Requiem Mass, the organist played “Knockmaroon” (Knockmaroon - sung by Paddy's brother Martin) a song that Paddy had written for his wife, Peg. “The School Around The Corner” was played on the organ as his remains were carried from the Church of the Immaculate Conception, Clondalkin. A garda escort led the funeral procession to Esker cemetery in Lucan.
Included in the inscription of his headstone is “The school around the corner is just the same”
Tributes
AN UNCOMPLICATED MAN - A tribute to the late Paddy Crosbie by Padraic Ó Néill - The Sunday Tribune, 5 September, 1982.Paddy's public image was that of the bluff schoolmaster-showman, wisecracking with the unscrubbed urchins who filled 'the school around the corner', or discoursing more gently with the elderly delinquents in ' Back to school'. He was a fair man to hold an audience, as the old Theatre royal patron would tell you. But there was a hardworking pro behind that public man. I saw it when as producer, I worked with him on radio programmes in the fifties and sixties. To be honest, producing Paddy's programmes meant little more than turning up for the recording. Paddy had everything organised. From his teacher friends, he would order a batch of what he used to describe as 'talkative boys', he would have them well sorted out, and the studio audience in place and versed in the opening song, and by the time recording started the young performers all knew their place in the programme and had more than a fair idea of what they were going to say and what the 'funny incident' was to be. It could have sounded contrived, but somehow Paddy would always keep a little bit in reserve, and get an extra bit of freshness from the children which would communicate itself to an appreciative audience. The young people's ambitions were elicited, their home life described, the 'hard words' explained and the boxes of sweets divided.
When he came up with the 'Back To School' format, he certainly was able to persuade people to come forward. Jack Lynch
Jack Lynch
John Mary "Jack" Lynch was the Taoiseach of Ireland, serving two terms in office; from 1966 to 1973 and 1977 to 1979....
, Liam Cosgrave
Liam Cosgrave
Liam Cosgrave is an Irish Fine Gael politician who served as Taoiseach and as Leader of Fine Gael . He was a Teachta Dála from 1943 to 1981....
and Brendan Corish in turn all had their chat, told their funny incidents and played along with the game in great good humour. Ulick O'Connor
Ulick O'Connor
Ulick O'Connor is an Irish writer, historian and critic.-Early life:Born in Rathgar, County Dublin in 1928, O'Connor attended St. Mary's College, Rathmines and later University College Dublin, where he studied law and philosophy, becoming known as a keen sporting participant, especially in boxing,...
got huffed one night and walked off in the middle of an interview. We broadcast the whole incident uncut, and the world didn't shake.
We had a little Dublin man one day whose claim to fame was that he 'worked alonga Matt Talbot'. Paddy worked hard on this old gentleman who turned out to be surprisingly reticent on air, but later confessed to us privately that he didn't get on too well with the future Servant of God. "To tell you the truth," he said afterwards, "he was a cantankerous little oul b....". I suppose saints aren't easy to live with.
I shouldn't be the one to write about him as a teacher. Generations of his Brunswick Street past pupils know that side of him better. I knew him as a dedicated lover of the Irish language but I didn't ever meet him in what he often assured me was his favourite summer haunt, Béal Átha an Ghaorthaigh in West Cork. I only know a little about his visits to the sick, but I saw him in action when I was in hospital myself and got a cheering up from him in a crisp instruction to get back to work.
Because he remained a teacher until retiring age Paddy Crosbie never relinquished his 'semi-professional' tag in broadcasting terms. But in devoted attention to his radio and television work in his meticulous preparation for any broadcast, however small, and in his careful attention to the tiniest detail of a production he was one of the most complete professionals I ever met.
He seemed to me to be a very uncomplicated man who knew in what direction his God was to be found. May he rest in peace.
External links
- http://schoolaroundthecorner.posterous.com/
- http://www.arthurlloyd.co.uk/Dublin/TheatreRoyalDublin/TheatreRoyalDublin.htm
- http://www.arthurlloyd.co.uk/Dublin/CapitolTheatreDublin.htm
Artists who appeared regularly at the Capitol were Mike Nolan, Roy Croft, Freddie Doyle, Paddy Crosbie and Martin Crosbie. There was always a resident orchestra and a troop of dancers called the Capitol Girls under the leadership of Dolly Sparkes and Norah Flanagan.