Famous singer from the 1950s.
Bridie was born and reared in Ards Creeslough, the ninth of 10 children. Her father was James Gallagher, from Ards and her mother was Bridget Sweeney from Creeslough, who played the melodeon. Bridie Gallagher attended Massinass national school.
Early life
Bridie started her singing in the Creeslough Hall with a local Ceili Band started by Bill Gallagher. The Band was made up of Bridie Gallagher, Bill Gallagher, Johnny Gallagher, Francis Gallagher, Pat Boyle and John Mc Carry. The Creeslough Hall was owned by Jim McCaffrey father of Sara McCaffrey.
She would make many more visits to the Creeslough Hall in herhome town throughout her long and successful career.
Later Bridie would still stay in contact with her many visits to Gracie’s (John McCafferty) Lagoon Termon.
Beginning her career
Her talent was soon spotted and she went to Belfast which was to become her base, there she married George Livingstone and had two boys. One son Peter in 1976 at the age of 21 died in a motorbike accident the other son Jim later went on to tour with Bridie.
World record
Bridie Gallagher holds the record for the largest number of people in attendance in the Albert Hall London, a record that was never equalled as it went on to be come an all seater venue. Bridie become world famous and travelled all over the world, USA, Canada, Europe, Australia and was known as “The Girl from Donegal”.
Bridie sang a lot of ballads or as they later became known as Country and Irish. One of her best known songs was “The Boys From The County Armagh” and that was long before big Joe Kernan, Francie Bellew and the boys came along.
Bridie Gallagher had her owen Radio Show on RTE as well as many appearances on Television RTE, BBC. UTV. and cost to coast in the USA.
Briday Gallagher “the girl from Donegal‘ from Donegal was buried in Doe Grave Yard near Ards Creeslough where she was born.
Daniel O’Donnell and Hughie McClean were in attendance as were a large crowd from Creeslough and further a field. At The Corner of the Garden Creeslough hundreds of local people lined the streets to say farewell to Bridie.
Prayers were offered at her graveside by local Priest, Fr. Joseph Briody. A decade of the Rosary was offered by Fr. Sylvester from Ards Friary Creeslough.