Golden Jubilee celebration

of Lovely Leitrim

It is hard to believe that 50 years have passed since Larry Cunningham topped the Irish charts with Lovely Leitrim. The man from near Granard hit the No 1 spot on 24 January 1966, with a song that was to become his most famous recording and an anthem for Co Leitrim.

Lovely Leitrim was doubled with There’s That Smile Again but it was the Irish ballad that hit the jackpot for him. It spent 15 weeks in the Top 10, including two at the top spot. Larry and The Mighty Avons were a huge attraction on the circuit back in the 1960s.

The Longford man continued to perform all through the years and was still doing gigs at home and overseas up to some weeks before he died in September 2012.

Michael Hynes dies in Cavan

Michael Hynes, who died earlier this month in Cavan General Hospital, was a well-known promoter on the music circuit. A native of Kinvarra, Co Galway, Michael had resided near Bailieborough for some years.

He promoted various shows and acts including the Luke Kelly Tribute, Peter Powers (hypnotist) as well as Joe Dolan-themed shows and many others. Interment took place in Mount Cross Cemetery, Kinvarra, following funeral mass in the local church. Condolences are tendered to his family circle on their sad bereavement.

Frank McCaffrey is

a guest on Irish TV

Westport’s Frank McCaffrey is the featured guest on The Half Door on Irish TV Sky 191 (Freesat 400) next Sunday night, 24 January. The show goes out between 8.30pm and 9pm, with a repeat the following Thursday night at 11pm.

We visit Frank at home in Westport and speak to him about his life and times in the music business. It’s a relaxed and easy-going show and provides a special insight into Frank’s years on the showbiz scene.

Enniskillen launch

for Ally and Marian

Fermanagh duo Ally Harron and Marian Curry will launch their new cd and dvd at a gala night in the Enniskillen Hotel on Monday 16 February. Ally and Marion perform shows all over Ireland as well as in the UK. They are also regulars on some of the overseas country music promotions and they are heading to Spain with Enjoy Travel in April.

Joining them for the launch in Enniskillen will be Gerry Guthrie, Cowboy Larry, Jordan Mogey, Gary Gamble, Paul Kelly, Francie Smith, Lisa McCrory, Anthony McBrien, Karl Fitzpatrick, Johnny Gallagher, and the Brian Kerrigan band. The compere for the show is Big Bernie from Ocean FM.