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'Loneliest' man's new life in
suburbia
16.08.13
MUSICIAN Barry Edgar
Pilcher – once dubbed Ireland’s loneliest man - has
put the remote Co Donegal island house he called
home for 20 years on the market.
The saxophonist who was the sole permanent resident
of Inishfree island off the Burtonport coast, has
put his ramshackle 'Raven Cottage' up for sale. The
seventy-year old artist moved back to Essex,
England, five months ago and has since been adapting
to his new life in suburbia. |
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Saxophonist Barry Pilcher enjoying
his new life in Dagenham, Essex, with wife Eve. |
He is also writing a
book about life on the island, off Burtonport, where
he devoted most of his time to composing music and
writing poetry since moving there in 1993.
"Life is really good at the moment. I've been so
busy I haven't had time to miss the island. When
you’ve been on your own for so long, you appreciate
people even more than before," he said.
"It’s really nice being with my wife and daughter
after being apart for such a long time. I also like
the nearby shops, the hot running water and the
steady internet connection.
"After the quietness, I am fascinated by the city
noises too - like the Tube in London -I sort of hear
the music in it."
While many his age are winding down, it seems life
is just beginning for Barry whose story of splendid
isolation was picked up worldwide. He has found
himself in demand as a saxophonist across Europe and
recently played a number of guest gigs in Belgium
and Germany.
"I was essentially putting a body of work together
all the years I lived alone on Inishfree and I am
now trying to put it out there. I am also writing a
book about the island - a collection of poems,
stories and photographs,” he added.
Barry and wife Eve (70) are now planning a private
sale of their property on Inishfree. The couple, who
have one daughter Alice, are on the island this week
to clear out the rest of Barry's belongings. Given
the stagnant market and the cottage’s rareness
however, they have yet to settle on an asking price.
The property, the island’s former post office, has a
number of unique features including a one-acre
garden leading onto the beach and a living room with
a sleeping platform. It has an adjoining barn, a
conservatory and several other rooms including one
formerly used by islanders to cast their ballots.
They also plan to sell sites on a separate nine-acre
seaside plot and two-acre inland plot they own on
the island which is a square-mile in size and
accessible only by boat. Meanwhile, Eve admits that
their living arrangement for the past two decades -
where they spent only three weeks of the year
together - "was definitely unique". She said Barry’s
return to their rented semi in Dagenham has been
"challenging on every level". "I am finally
realising what a relationship really is but so far
so good. It's lovely having him back," she beamed.
Potential buyers can contact Barry through his
Facebook page. |
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