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Lilian McArdle was the daughter of publican, Thomas McArdle, of Water Street, Newry, and his wife, Margaret, a native of Banbridge. As a young girl Lilian excelled at sports such as camogie and tennis. Her fine singing voice was recognised by her teachers at Our Lady’s Preparatory School and she was only ten years of age when she won her first singing competition. She later became a member of Newry Cathedral Choir and St. Patrick’s Choral and Operatic Society, where she was involved in Gilbert and Sullivan productions such as “Mikado”.
Manageress of a dye works, in 1936, Lilian noticed an advertisement outside the Classic Cinema in Belfast for the U.K. “Golden Voice” competition. This competition, for operatic concert and ballad singers, was organised by Gaumont-British Pictures in association with the “News Chronicle”. There were forty five contestants from Northern Ireland, but Lilian was the only one who managed to reach the final in London. Out of an original 27,000 competitors, Lilian gained third place and a cheque for £25. In recognition of her achievement, when she returned to Newry, she was given an honorary parade through the town attended by a large crowd of people. A bonfire was set alight in front of her home in Water Street and from an upstairs window Lilian sang “Love’s Old Sweet Song”, the piece she had sung in London.
As a result of her success in the competition, Lilian went on a tour of Scottish cities and took part in a series of radio broadcasts on BBC and RTÉ.
In January 1938 Lilian married Louis Edmund Trodden, a native of Newtownhamilton, who was principal of Ballymoyer Primary School, Whitecross. When he became principal of St Peter’s School, Warrenpoint, the couple moved there, setting up home initially in “Avoca House” at Lower Great Georges Street and then at Osborne Terrace. Louis had a keen interest in Irish language and culture, as well as music. He was an eager collector of the folklore of his native south Armagh, was a fine ballad singer, and a lifetime supporter of the G.A.A. He was the founder of the Glenn John Martin G.A.C., and during his time teaching at Ballymoyer he acted as chairman of the St. Killian’s G.A.C. It was also largely due to his endeavours that a pipe band was revived in Whitecross in the 1930s.
During the 1950s Lilian established the “Dun Eimar Singers”, formed out of the Warrenpoint Technical School Choir and named after her Warrenpoint home. Eventually she had four groups – senior, junior, juvenile and boys. They took part in musical productions and variety shows in the area and gained numerous prizes in local and national competitions. The Dun Eimar Singers also participated in radio broadcasts and appeared on television, including “Opportunity Knocks”. In May 1974 an illuminated address was presented to Mrs. Trodden as a token of appreciation from music lovers in Warrenpoint. After her death in 2001, the address was purchased by Councillor H. Carr and put on display in Warrenpoint Town Hall.
When Warrenpoint Feis was revived in 1978 Lilian was the first chairperson, a post she held for a decade. The following year, in 1979, she became a Vice-President of Newry Musical Feis. Her husband, Louis, who died in 1977, was a founding committee member of Newry Musical Feis when it began in 1928. Together the couple made a huge contribution to the cultural life of the district, particularly in regard to the growth and development of music and education of the youth.
The Museum is currently offering free tours of the exhibition galleries on Wednesdays at 2.00 pm. These must be booked in advance by calling our Education Officer at 0330 137 4422.
Newry and Mourne Museum is open Tuesday – Saturday 10.00 am – 4.30 pm. Please call 0330 137 4422 or email museums@nmandd.org for further information.
Please visit the museum's website at www.visitmournemountains.co.uk
