This article is from page 19 of the 2007-03-06 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 19 JPG
late last year, Mr Aiken told of his ambi- tion to bring big-time musical enter- tainment back to Lisdoonvarna.
“To revive the old festival would be impossible. It would be just too hard to get planning. But there is no reason why a new festival can- not be designed. If Paddy Doherty and Christy Moore came on board, I would be more than ready to listen.
“We did attempt to revive the old Lisdoonvarna Festival, but it is very
difficult. But look at the likes of Bruce Springsteen and his new al- bum. If he decided to do a folk festi- val and someone asked me where to go with it, | would say Clare.”
Lisdoonvarna festival organiser, Paddy Doherty, paid tribute to the support that Aiken gave to the festi- val over the years.
“When we started off in 1978, Jim Aiken was the big promoter in the country,’ said Mr Doherty. “I always remember him calling up and wish- ing us the best. We were just two guys from down the country and it meant a lot for him to do that.
“I have great respect for him and have worked closely with him down the years and up as far as last Christ- mas. We have an ongoing associa- tion with Aiken Promotions and we would be looking to continue this relationship for any future Lisdoon- varna Festivals.”
Born on October 4, 1932, Jim Aik-
en was a physics and maths teacher for a number of years in Belfast, be- fore turning his attention to music promotion.
He finished teaching in 1965 to set up Aiken Promotions, which helped place Ireland on the international map for music over the last four dec- ades.
His other business interests in- cluded radio – he was involved in FM104 and Red FM – as well as music shops, and he was part of the consortium which brought HMV to Ireland.
Jim is survived by his wife, Anne, and his five children, Claire, Susan, Cathy, Joan and Peter who now runs Aiken Promotions.