The Lady in the Lighthouse is a one-woman show of storytelling and singing written and performed by Cindy Campbell-Stone.
From 2024- 2026, this show has been performed at The Dartmouth Book Exchange (twice), Bedford Public Library, Woodlawn Public Library, Captain William Spry, Parkland Caritas House, Parkland Baker Drive, Dartmouth Heritage Museum, Sandy Point Community Centre (Shelburne), Enfield Fire Hall, and Halifax Central Library (Paul O’Regan Hall).
Who is Catherine Gallagher?
In a lighthouse at the edge of a cliff at Chebucto Head, lived a woman, Catherine Gallagher. A former teacher, she was ready to settle down and raise a family when a house fire, an explosion and two world wars turned her life upside down. Catherine, also known as Mrs. Edward Gallagher, was one of the main informants for folklorist, Dr. Helen Creighton.
This show contains various stories from her life and seven of the forty songs that she sung for Helen.
Catherine Marion Scott Gallagher was born in 1887 and raised on a farm in Enfield,N.S. She was one of 9 children. Her father, Donald Scott, was a farmer and a railway man. It was mostly her mother, Sophia Horne Scott, that taught Catherine many songs, ballads and broadsides.
Catherine’s niece, Marion, once described Catherine as a lovely person and everyone thought she was “a real lady.” This is why the show is called “Lady in the Lighthouse.”
Cindy talks about her research:
I first heard Catherine Gallagher sing on the ‘Songs of the Sea’ CD produced by the Helen Creighton Folklore Society. Her sweet voice captivated me as she sang ‘The Broken Ring’ song aka
‘Seven Long Years’. When I decided to do a show about her, I discovered that she had a surviving son, Max, who was in his eighties. I interviewed Max several times and found him a delightful man who told me many stories about his mother and father and about living in a lighthouse. Sadly, Max passed away in September, 2024.
I also found stories in Catherine’s unpublished manuscript at the Nova Scotia Archives. I found more stories from Chris Mills who interviewed another son, Don Gallagher, 20 years ago. I spoke with Don’s wife, Elaine and Catherine’s niece, Marion.
I feel honoured to present Catherine’s life in story and in song as I greatly admire her perseverance and fortitude in life, and especially her singing.
What’s in this show?
Setting: July 1945, Chebucto Head Lighthouse
Song: I’m Going to Get Married (partial)
Catherine is Excited!
Song: Seven Long Years aka Broken Ring Song
Farm Life
Song: Well Sold the Cow
Newlyweds
Children and Teaching
Song: The Cobbler
Meeting Ed
Halifax Explosion
Song: Young Riley
Disruptions!
Song: Bonnie House O’Airlie
Changes!
Old Comrades
Song: Come All My Old Comrades (partial)
Farewell
Song: Lady in the Lighthouse by Cindy Campbell- Stone, (tune: Young Hunting by Catherine Gallagher)
Cindy Campbell-Stone as Catherine Gallagher, 2024
Catherine Gallagher singing for Helen Creighton who is recording her at Chebucto Head Lighthouse, Halifax, Nova Scotia. Photo credit: Nova Scotia Archives.
Kudos about the Catherine Gallagher Show
Oct 24, 2024: first performance
Cindy, I really enjoyed your story last night. You put a lot of effort into
the research, planning and delivery of your performance. I’m sure the
Galligar family enjoyed the memories as did the audience, getting a taste
of some almost first hand memories of Halifax and life back at the turn of
the 20th century. .Good going!
bye for now
Jody Myers
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Cindy!
I thoroughly enjoyed your evening as Catherine Gallagher. You lent her a great humanity. I felt as if I’d spent a morning having tea in the lighthouse with her.
Thanks for bringing her to life for us!
Glenn Walton
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Wonderful show Cindy! And I’m sure the Gallagher family members were thrilled to see their family history come to life in such a lively, thoughtful way.
Karen Dahl (FB)
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You did a great job! We both really enjoyed the show. 💕
Carrie and Doug Wournell (FB)
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It was amazing. I’m still humming the Monday Morning song. Well done cindy.
Jackie Halsey
Nov 29, 2024
This was an amazing one woman show…Fabulous performance!! 👏👏👏
Sylvia Mannette
Cindy ….I was captivated tonight…
The presentation that you gave was wonderful….you are so very talented….
Karen Jones
Last Night I went to see a very intimate Story portal of the “ Lady in the Light House, the Catherine Gallagher Story” Helen Creighton Folklore Society Storyteller Cindy Campbell Stone gave a Wonderful, enlightening, funny, engaging , artistic, and Historical Portal of Catherine Gallagher- thoroughly enjoyed this Performance . Congrats Cindy💐💐💐👏👏👏
Florence West
Dec 5, 2024
As someone who was lucky enough to attend in the audience, both my mother and I were very moved by the story. I really appreciate how you linked together the songs with stories from her life and major events that were happening around her. It was truly a lovely and captivating show and performance.
Amanda Furniss
Dec 12, 2024
Cindy Campbell-Stone the show was fabulous. Great job bringing Catherine to life for us. We enjoyed it very much. Bravo!
Mickie Zinck
We very much enjoyed your show. Delightful, funny and brings Catherine to life in a way that is heartwarming.
Mickie Zinck
A lot of work and research went into that production. I’m so glad Cindy Campbell-Stone aka Cindy Storyteller rescued a piece of our history that may have been lost and presented it in a fun and memorable way.
Sue Slade
October, 2025
Amazing story and amazing storyteller Cindy Campbell-Stone! I LOVED this production. Hope to see it all again soon. 💖
Lana Shupe, author