Those Irish Blue Eyes.

Barbara McAnally Krans on March 15, 2021 2:36 pm As a child, I thought she was so beautiful. I loved her Irish lilt and I will always remember her talking about the strife in Ireland between the Catholics and the Protestants. I remember her saying it wasn’t about religion but about the difference between the rich and the poor. I have, myself, recounted her story. I have often wondered where she was and what she was doing. She made a strong impression on me. May the road rise to meet her,… May God hold her in the hollow of His hand. Singer. An Irish vocalist, she will be remembered for her many appearances on American television during the 1950s and 1960s, notably as a regular performer associated with Arthur Godfrey. Raised in Phibsborough, Ireland, her father was a classically-trained violinist who supplemented his family's income while working as a bookie, Carmel's mother died during her youth. She chose to pursue a career as a singer and following her acquiring experience with local bands, she made a name for herself when she performed the song "The Isle of Innisfree" with the House Orchestra at the Theatre Royal. In 1955, she relocated to the United States and won a contest to perform as a regular with the program "Arthur Godfrey and His Friends." During this period, she recorded the album with the Columbia label titled "Arthur Godfrey Presents Carmel Quinn" which included the songs "The Whistling Gypsy" and "Galway Bay." This led to scores of appearances on the TV shows "The Ed Sullivan Show," "The Tonight Show with Jack Paar" and later with Johnny Carson and "The Mike Douglas Show." Additionally, she became associated as a panelist on the gameshows "I've Got a Secret," "Password" and "The Match Game." Quinn will also be remembered for her annual St. Patrick's Day sellout concerts at Carnegie Hall. She performed in the off-Broadway touring productions "Finian's Rainbow" and "The Sound of Music." Other albums include "Carmel Quinn's TV Party" (1956), "I Enjoy Being a Girl" (1962) and "It's the Irish In Me" (1965 ). She died from pneumonia. Bio by: C.S.