Offaly woman shares her Elvis memories with Priscilla Presley

May McFadden from Kinnitty recently shared with Priscilla Presley her vivid memory of hearing Elvis' voice for the very first time.

As a teenager, 70 years ago, she heard the song 'I Forgot to Remember to Forget' on the radio. Turning to her mother, Mary Donogher, she asked who was singing. "Some American by the name of Elvis Presley," her mother replied.

May told Priscilla it was another five years before she discovered Elvis' good looks, only after moving to Manchester.

Priscilla Presley, who was married to Elvis from 1967 to 1973, was in Ireland this month for events including a night at Dublin's National Concert Hall entitled 'An Audience with Priscilla Presley'.

It was there that May McFadden and her son, John, a music industry lecturer and teacher, got chatting to her.

John noted that his career choice was undoubtedly shaped by his mother’s musical influence.

He recalled that the previous time he and his mother met Priscilla was at a music industry event — a press conference for the Rock'n'Soul Museum in Memphis where Priscilla was the special guest.

One of Priscilla's friends, John Doyle, ensured John's mother had a seat with Memphis royalty, the Lansky family who made Elvis' clothes.

Both mother and son described Priscilla Presley as "a lady full of humour, kindness and great stories".