Brian Boydell (1917 - 2000) was a leading figure in Irish musical life; he profoundly influenced the development of music and music education in Ireland. He was closely involved in the post-war period of ‘rebellious ferment' in Irish cultural life and his memoir presents a vivid portrait not only of artistic life (including painting, poetry and theatre as well as music) but also of politics, religion, infrastructure, education, and society in mid-twentieth-century Ireland. Boydell engaged with a wide range of often colorful people, including those associated with the White Stag Group in the early 1940s. This book presents a fascinating account not only for its autobiographical interest, but also for its value as a first-hand witness of a significant period in Irish musical and cultural history.