Date of Birth:

Place of Birth: Dublin

Date Interviewed: 24th September 2009

Summary: Jean Goold-Farrell was born in Dublin but married Dick Goold when she was 19 and set up home in Wexford. She was introduced to Nellie Walsh, who sang in Rowe Street Choir, and she was invited to join the Wexford Festival Chorus. She performed in her first Wexford Festival in 1967 and recalls that backstage security was very tight. At this time the role of the chorister was changing to a more active participation and Jean was often selected for these parts. She lists the operas she appeared in over the years and recalls the funny, and often bizarre, incidents that took place in Wexford’s old Theatre Royal during the annual Opera Festival.