Feeney weekend in Claremorris

The Patrick Feeney Music Weekend will be held at the McWilliam Park Hotel in Claremorris on the weekend of 14-16 September.

The Sligo native is no stranger to the venue having played there on numerous occasions over the last decade, including some concert shows as part of The Three Amigos.

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The dancing weekend gets underway on the Friday night, with Declan Nerney and his band launching proceedings from 9pm until 11pm – they will be followed by Patrick and the band.

Ciarán Rosney and his band will join Patrick and band as guests during the Saturday night double show, providing four hours of dancing for patrons.

The weekend concludes with the Sunday afternoon dance, featuring Patrick and the band. Further details about the weekend can be had from the McWilliam Hotel on 094-9378000.

Cootehill hosts annual show

The Errigal Hotel in Cootehill will host the annul concert in support of Drumlin House Training Centre and St Christopher’s Hospice in Cavan, next Thursday 13 September. This is the seventh year of the popular event, organised by John and Anne McIntyre.

The venture has become a regular outing on the social calendar for many people from the general region and further afield, who come along each year to show their support for these worthy causes.

The show will feature Michael English and his band, Gerry Guthrie, PJ Murrihy, Keith and Loraine McDonald, and John McIntyre and his band. The compere is Joe Finnegan from Shannonside Northern Sound Radio.

Tickets are €20 and are available from the hotel and the usual outlets. The show starts at 8.30pm.

Christie Hennessy Song Contest

Entries are now being accepted for the annual Christie Hennessy Song Contest, which takes place in memory of one of Tralee’s most famous musical sons. Songwriters are invited to submit their entry to IMRO before the deadline of Friday 21 September.

Ten finalists will be selected to perform their song at the live final of the contest on Saturday 3 November at the Ashe Hotel in Tralee. A first prize of €1,000 will be presented to the winning songwriter on the night of the final, sponsored by IMRO. There is also a runner-up prize of €300.

Born in Tralee, Christie Hennessy was the youngest of nine children and grew up in a very musical household. At 15, Christie went to work on building sites in London by day and played in the R&B clubs by night, writing his first song at the age of 23.

He released his first album in 1972 and his songs became hits for many artists, including Christy Moore (Don’t Forget Your Shovel), Frances Black (All The Lies That You Told Me) and Moya Brennan (Oh Jealous Heart).

The contest is open to all types of song, in any style - ballad, country, pop, rock etc, and may be entered in either the English or Irish language. Songwriters may only enter one song for consideration. Entries can be submitted on a CD or via an online link to your song to membership@imro.ie.

All entries must be accompanied by a copy of the lyrics, typed or clearly written. Finalists will be notified by Monday 8 October. Postal entries should be sent to: Christie Hennessy Song Contest, c/o Irish Music Rights Organisation (IMRO), Copyright House, Pembroke Row, Lower Baggot Street, Dublin 2, D02 HW59.

Bucks Fizz back in style

Back in 1981, Bucks Fizz swept to Eurovision glory with their hugely catchy rendition of Making Your Mind Up. The UK group enjoyed a massive hit in the weeks that were to follow and the song has had an enduring appeal in the years since then.

Wexford singer and musician, Joe Davitt has revived the number in recent weeks and has released it as his new radio play single. The song is intimately suited for Joe’s style and that of the Davitt Band. It was produced by Jonathan Owens in Granard.

Hot off the presses

Seán Wilson has issued a new single ahead of the release of his new album, 60 at Sixty, which is due out in October. Better Than Today was produced by John McHugh at New Mills Studio in Ramelton, Co Donegal.

Tyrone man Jim Devine headed to Granard to record his latest single, Laughin’ All The Way To The Bank (Of The River). The song was written by Michael Peterson and was produced and arranged by Jonathan Owens.

Little Irish Town is the new release from Trevor Loughrey. The song has a gentle, laid-back American country sound, which marks a new departure for the Donegal singer. It was produced by Gene Rabbai in Herdersonville, Tennessee, and his work shines through on this arrangement.