Anne Lovett was a tomboy
She was always up for a laugh
She was real jovial back in the 80s
She used to braid her hair
And then the next week
She’d be all spikey or curly
All the time she’d be havin’ a laugh in class
Messin and chasin’ down the corridors
She was a hot bed of activity
If she was alive today
She’d be up there on the panel with you guys
To keep her memory alive, I’d like to say
Anne Lovett was a fantastic person
She would have been the joy and the soul of a party
Of that I have no doubt
Anne Lovett was an artist
On February 5th 2014, I sang “Middle of The Island” and “Tyrone Boys” at an event in Maynooth University commemorating Anne Lovett. Also present were Justine McCarthy, Ailbhe Smith, Caitríona Crowe and Anne Mulhall. They spoke about the devastating impact that Anne Lovett’s death had upon the Island.
A man in the audience shared that he had been in school with Anne Lovett. I tracked down a recording of the night to capture his words. So far I’ve failed to make contact with him. It was the first time we encountered someone who actually knew Anne. This made his reflections all the more precious.
Anne Lovett’s death deeply affected many across the Island. It created a sea change in our deeply rooted, church ridden, warped moral attitudes. I often wish for a large, beautiful, permanent monument to be created to her memory. It was truly remarkable to hear someone speak who knew Anne personally. His words struck home and bear repeating for those who wish to hear them.
(Youtube – Remembering Anne Lovett -Trade Union TV)