Getting Notions

Early Life

Not much is known about Eimear O'Rouke's childhood. We know the basics, that she was born into Catholic family in Co. Wexford, and lived on a sheep farm with her Father, Peter, Mother, Breda, and her two older brothers, Dermot and Tadgh. She never spoke about her family life publicly, famously saying in an interview in 1977;
"What goes on at home is my fucking business. Joe Soaps sitting in his house in his boxers doesn't need to know about the shit I do at Christmas. End of fucking story."

Her father, however, doesn't seem to share the same opinion on the matter. He agreed to speak to us, shedding some light on the young star.

Peter O'Rourke (Eimear's father):
Eimear was always in to music as a child. From a young age she'd learned the tin whistle, bodhrán, and guitar. She played the spoons from time to time  as well. When she was nine, she got a summer job picking stones for the neighbours, and bought herself her own guitar. She was always like that, you know? If she wanted something, she'd do her damndest to get it. I reckon that's part of the reason she didn't get on well at school. She was stubborn as a mule at the best of times, and when she couldn't see the purpose of something, she'd straight up refuse to waste her time at it. Eimear used to come home with a tanned arse more often than not! She hated going to the convent. I always wanted all my children to get a full education, I left school when I was 11 and regretted it for years. The two boys did well in school, Dermot's working in Dublin as a solicitor. Eimear had brains to burn, but she had no interest in maths and science. So it was no massive surprise to me when the pair of us were out fencing the Road field, and she turned to me and said;

"Da, I want to drop out of school."

And I said to her, "Alright. Do your intercert, and we can look at getting you a job, or an apprenticeship."

She thought about that for a minute.

"When I do my intercert, I'm going to go to London."

"Promise me this, Eimear, if you're going to London, pick up a trade. A tradesman always has a job."

She picked up electronics. She got a few summer jobs. And when she finished her exams, I drove her to Rosslare, and she boarded the next ferry to Pembroke. Her mother never forgave me for letting her go. Breda blamed me for Eimear's death, said I should've made her stay 'till she was 18.

I didn't know she was going to start a band out there, she never told me. If I'd known, chances are I would've made her stay. It's a tough industry, music, and it wasn't something you just went out and did. Especially in those days. It was strange enough that having one son working in Dublin, but another going to London, they all said she was mad! That she had notions of being some rockstar. [He laughs] She did, but they never actually thought she was going to succeed.

I was proud of her. Of what she did. Still am. It's tough, burying your child. I... [tears up] I miss my little girl.

Reporter: I think it's best if we leave the interview here. Unless you wish to continue?

Peter O'Rourke: No. I have nothing more to say.
-End of Recording

Reporter: How did you and Eimear meet?

Sandie Stevens (Weavers of Fate Drummer): That's a funny story actually. Let me set the scene. It was late August, 1968, on the most horrific day you can imagine. Rain was pelting down so hard that you were soaked if you so much as looked out your door. I was in a record  store, a tiny place that had some absolute gems from time to time, and there were three of us in there, myself, the cashier, and a girl of about 16, looking at the newest releases. I'm just browsing, minding my own business, when I overhear her ask the cashier if he had a the new Stones album in the back. They had just released Street Fighting Man if I remember right. The bloke goes out to check and she turns to me, and massive grin on her face, and she says;