File BBR-18712/4/3 - National Song Contest 1972

Draft & original correspondence between Len Clifford and two employees of RTÉ, Janet Wynne and Tom McGrath; and two copies of the ‘Report of Chairman of Jury Selecting Songs for the Contest.’ The correspondence relates to the National Song Contest, 1972 and Len Clifford’s role as chairman of the jury. Clifford is paid £40 for the job which ‘usually takes between three and four days.’ He writes to Tom McGrath on the 8 January 1972 enclosing the report of ‘the Panel.’ He says that the task was a ‘gruelling’ one but he very much enjoyed working with the other members of the jury, Frank Dermody, Louis Stewart, Tony Wilson and musician, Noel Kelehan. The report details the ‘Terms of reference’, ‘Procedure Adopted’ and ‘Result.’ The following English and Irish songs were chosen by the jury: ‘Certain Sunday’, Don’t need your Sympathy’, ‘It would take a Miracle’, ‘Tar Liom’, ‘Posadh nó Buaileadh Nos’ and ‘Óró Áine.’ The jury was unanimous in all its choices.