Dungarvan will host a night of country music in The Park Hotel on Monday 22 May. The venture is in support of Pieta House and also a local benefit cause.

The town and region was made well-known by Mai O’Higgins when she penned Dungarvan My Hometown.

This beautiful number was recorded by Dermot O’Brien, Mattie Weldon, and many others down through the years.

Mai penned many more lovely songs, including My Dublin Bay, The Silvery Sands of Tramore, Beautiful Bundoran and Sweet Youghal Bay. She died in 2009.

Monday night’s concert will feature Mick Flavin, John Hogan, Trudi Lalor, Michael Collins and Gina from The Champions.

Making his debut appearance in Co Waterford will be Pat McKenna from Maghera, Co Derry, affectionately known as The Wind On The Hill man after his huge success with the song of that title.

Tickets for the show are €20 and a lovely night of quality music is assured in The Park Hotel, Dungarvan.

For further details, contact the hotel reception on 058 42899.

Muriel & Fran pick

up duo award

Muriel O’Connor and Fran Curry were presented with the social dancing duo of the year award at the Hot Country concert in the Slieve Russell Hotel in Ballyconnell, Co Cavan.

It is yet another addition to a growing number of accolades that have come their way in recent times.

“It was a special honour to receive the award in Cavan and it comes at a time when things are going so well for Fran and I on the music circuit,” says Muriel.

The Limerick lady says they are pretty excited about some new songs they recorded in recent weeks.

“We have been lucky with our choice of material over the last two years. Waltzing An Angel Tonight, Something Blue, and Wine Into Water were so well received by the public. We were overwhelmed with the response.”

Fran, who hails from Cashel, combines his musical career with that of a broadcaster with Tipp FM. He hosts the Monday to Friday current affairs morning show on Tipp Today. The accomplished musician and record producer has also toured with various acts in former times, including Foster and Allen.

Cork launch for

Southern Pride

Southern Pride are a long-established country band on the Munster circuit.

They will launch their new album at an afternoon session at the Star Trax venue, Knocknagree on Sunday 21 May.

A double single from the album is also being released. It features Mike Fitzgerald with a song called Johnny Donegal The Fiddler From Drom (composed by Leo Fitzgerald) and the Porter Wagoner classic, I’d Like To Make That Same Mistake Again, sung by Helen Scollard.

The show runs from 2.30pm to 5.30pm and joining Southern Pride will be Timmy O’Connor and Aiden Fitzgerald.