Geraldine Brannigan arrives in Beirut to perform for soldiers on UNIFIL peacekeeping duty in Lebanon.
Geraldine Brannigan and her band 'The Brannigans' arrived on a British Airways flight at Beirut Airport where they were met by Irish UN troops. The soldiers were presented with shamrock plants to mark St Patrick's Day. The ten day tour comprising of ten concerts was sponsored by British Airways.
The singer and musician were taken under armed escort from the airport by the United Nations military police. There had been an assassination attempt on the life of former President Camille Chamoun that morning.
At UN headquarters in An-Naqoura, Geraldine Brannigan performed a rendition of Danny Boy for the soldiers. The troops also appreciated that the singer had taken army instruction so that she could present arms.
She is enjoying the experience and looking forward to the rest of the tour.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 16 March 1980. The reporter is Tom McCaughren.
