Harry Lush: Harry Lush, who has died aged 88, was a teacher who changed career to become one of Dublin's best-known cinema managers.
A fluent Irish speaker and friend of both Éamon de Valera and Patrick Kavanagh, in November 1963 he welcomed The Beatles to the Adelphi Cinema on the only occasion that they played in Dublin. He immediately warmed to them and remembered them as "very gentlemanly lads", who had respect for their elders and "called you sir".
Bands like the Rolling Stones, he added, "couldn't hold a candle to them".
Supported by four other acts, including the Vernon Girls, The Beatles played two gigs that night. The audience at the first show was reluctant to allow them to leave the stage, demanding encore after encore. By this time, ticket-holders for the second show were milling around the Abbey Street entrance, impatient to get in. They were joined by hundreds of screaming and cheering onlookers hoping to get a glimpse of their idols.
Fighting broke out as departing fans struggled to get past those pushing forward to gain entrance. The trouble spread to O'Connell Street. The 50 gardaí initially on duty were joined by another 200 in an attempt to restore order. Meanwhile inside the Adelphi there was dancing in the aisles and hundreds rushed the stage as The Beatles launched into Twist and Shout. They quickly finished their set, and Harry Lush arranged for them to be smuggled out a back exit and driven in a newspaper delivery van to their hotel.
Thus concluded one of the most memorable days in his career.
Born on October 17th, 1916, in Leaffony, Kilglass, Co Sligo, he was the eldest of five sons of TJ and Mamie Lush; his father was a flax mill owner and farmer, his mother a teacher. Partition caused the flax mill to go out of business, and the family moved to Coolroe, Tinahely, Co Wicklow.
Harry won a scholarship to Newtown School, Co Waterford, where his interest in Irish was inspired by Liam Glynn and Séamus Ó Maoileoin, the author of B'fhiú an braon fola. Subsequently at Mountjoy School, Dublin, his command of Irish was instrumental in his winning a scholarship to Trinity College. There he studied Celtic languages, graduating with honours in 1946.
He spent four years as Irish teacher and sports master at St Columba's College, Rathfarnham, during which time the senior rugby team registered a rare victory over Blackrock College. Many pupils arrived not knowing any Irish and he prepared them for the Intermediate Certificate by employing what he called the Ring (Co Waterford) system of teaching words and phrases before tackling grammar. He wrote a grammar primer of his own, which by the time he left St Columba's ran to 120 pages.
As manager of the Adelphi Cinema, he promoted Irish by screening Irish-language versions of public information films, which were also available in English. He also encouraged the use of Irish in the day-to-day business of the Adelphi, part of the Associated British Cinemas chain.
The cinema, with seating for 2,300 patrons, was one of the top entertainment venues in Ireland. Hollywood stars made personal appearances to promote their films; those he met included Gary Cooper, Marlene Dietrich, John Wayne and Ronald Reagan, the future president of the United States.
"He came here when he was a cowboy actor, with a lovely actress called Patricia Neal. They did an act that was very popular."
He normally worked a 13-hour day, usually finishing at 11pm. To relax, he liked to dine with colleagues in the business at the Hideout, next door to the Adelphi.
After retiring in 1981 he gave grinds in Irish, helping many people pass state exams and obtain professional qualifications. "His greatest attribute was that he could combine his skill with spontaneity," a former student recalled this week.
A regular visitor to Dún Chaoin for many years, he stayed in the guesthouse owned by his friend, Maurice (Kruger) Kavanagh. He acted as mediator in a row between Kruger and Patrick Kavanagh that followed the publication of an article, My Christmas in Kerry, in the Irish Press, in which the poet highlighted the unlicensed hotelier's vast volume of takeaway liquor sales on Christmas Day.
Éamon de Valera, who met him when he managed the Adelphi, was struck by the boundless enthusiasm of the Irish-speaking Protestant. Harry introduced Cary Grant to Mr de Valera, who in turn introduced Harry to President Kennedy.
A keen sportsman, he won representative honours with TCD's cricket, hockey and soccer first teams. His performance in Trinity's Collingwood Cup victory attracted interest from Arsenal and Manchester United.
In later years he kept in shape by training in College Park. A Liverpool supporter, he was delighted with the team's success in reaching the final of this year's Champions League.
Predeceased in 1980 by his wife, Mollie (née McLoughry), he is survived by his daughter, Jennifer, son, Michael, companion, Ena, and brothers, Oswald and Norman.
William Henry (Harry) Lush: born October 17th, 1916; died May 5th, 2005