Castlerea Brass and Reed Band, one of the oldest of its kind in the country, has been to the recording studios in recent weeks.

Band member Seamus Dockery, a native of Elphin, at the behest of the band, penned a song called The Ballad of Jack Murphy. It’s all about a Roscommon man living in America.

Jack is a great friend of the band and has been a regular visitor to Castlerea and Loughglynn over the years.

A copy of the cd, as well as a special presentation, was given to Jack’s family when the Castlerea Brass Band visited New York recently, where they marched on 5th Avenue during the St Patrick’s Day parade.

The band have been regular performers at the major Connacht football championship games throughout the years.

Seamus has been writing songs for many years as a hobby and was thrilled to get the opportunity to have one of them recorded by the band.

The song is sung by band members Michael Conroy and Richard Thompson and is a fitting tribute to a noble Roscommon exile. CL

Lisa McHugh is putting the finishing touches to plans for her upcoming concert tour which takes in six venues in the Ulster region during May. The Glaswegian lady, who now lives in Fermanagh, is looking forward to the shows.

Her special guest during all of the concerts will be Malachi Cush from Tyrone, a well-known face on Irish TV Sky 191.

Lisa’s latest album, A Life That’s Good, has been well received, while she is also recording another On The Road With Lisa series for Irish TV.

The first theatre show takes place on 7 May in the Strule Arts Centre, Omagh. You can also see this show in the Island Centre in Lisburn on 8 May; Burnavon, Cookstown, on 14 May; Marketplace Theatre, Armagh, on 15 May; Iontas, Castleblayney, on 27 May; and the Ardhowen, Enniskillen, on 28 May.

Tickets for all events are available from the venue box offices. CL