Almost a decade has flown by since Gerry Flynn and Enjoy Travel launched their Welcome Home to Enniscrone mid-June five-day festival of country and céilí dancing and singing sessions in the west Sligo town.

This was more than just a commercial venture for Gerry, it was also an expression of gratitude to the area in which he was born and raised before the family uprooted from nearby Ballina and left for England when Gerry was 14 years old and a pupil in St Muredeach’s College in Ballina.

England was good to Gerry and he went on to become Bord Failte manager in the English midlands region in the years that were to follow. Music was always close to his heart. He played drums with the resident band in the famous Carousel Club in Manchester at a time when several thousands were flocking to the Irish dancehalls in the cities with strong Irish traditions.

Pioneer

Gerry Flynn is a proud Mayo man and is the person who pioneered and developed the overseas Irish music holidays in Spain and Portugal. On leaving Bord Failte, he formed the Enjoy Travel Company and among his first ventures was organising coach trips from England to Knock Shrine.

The early overseas trips to Spain featured céilí and set dancing aficionados. Soon Portugal was added to the list and demand for country music became so strong that Gerry soon started booking country acts to expand the appeal of the overseas ventures.

“I have found a great correlation between country music and set dancing and there is a huge cross-over appeal. Nearly all of our patrons share their time between both on out trips. I suppose so many have wonderful memories of Ibiza and our years on the Mediterranean island. They were incredible.”

This weekend sees the launch of the ninth Welcome Home to Enniscrone festival that runs from Sunday 11 to Thursday 15 June. The venue is in the splendid Diamond Coast Hotel close to Enniscrone’s famous beach on the shores of Killala Bay.

The loyal clientele travel from England and various parts of Ireland for the annual celebrations.

They will be joined by many from the neighbouring counties which avail of the very reasonable daily and night-time admission to all the shows.

Each night features two country acts as well as a céilí and the renowned sessions hosted by Clonmel man, Mick Mackey, and friends in the main lounge.

Among the artists appearing at the 2017 festival are Louise Morrissey, Art Supple, Champagne Shuffle, Pat Jordan and Kieran Towey, Glenshane Country, Stephen Smyth, Michael Fox, Eddie Gallagher, J & K Country, Dave Lawlor, Brendan Magee and Eugene Cunningham, and the Enjoy Travel Band. Céilí and set dancers can look forward to dancing to the Long Note (Sunday), Rise The Dust (Monday), Neily O’Connor (Tuesday), Salamanca (Wednesday) and Matt Cunningham (Thursday). The nightly shows get under way at 9pm and conclude at 1am.

Further information on the lineup for each day and night can be had by contacting the Diamond Coast Hotel on 096 26000. CL

Buckley for Corrandulla show dance

Corrandulla Show in Co Galway is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year. And to mark the occasion, the committee will host a big show dance in Corrandulla Sports Hall on Friday, June 9, when Jimmy Buckley and his band are the star attraction.

The committee is hoping for big support for this special night ahead of the annual Show Day which takes place on Sunday, June 25, when one of the biggest agricultural shows in the region will be held in the parish.

Jason Comer from the Show committee, says they are looking forward to a big night with Jimmy on Friday week. “We have country deejay to start off the night before Jimmy and his band takes to the stage. Jimmy, who hails from Co Limerick, has resided in nearby Monivea for a good many years so this is almost a home gig for him. Admission is €15 and we are expecting big support for this special night in the parish,” says Jason. CL

Countdown on for Cut Loose Country Fest in Holycross

The countdown is well and truly on to the Cut Loose Country Music Festival that takes place in Holycross, Co Tipperary, on Sunday 16 July.

Holycross has played host to the Cut Loose Country Festival for the last five years and it certainly has become a brand leader in both the music and the marketing stakes. Last July, the festival attracted 8,000 people to the village, making it the biggest festival of its kind in the country.

This year, interest is again surging with just six weeks to go. The lineup features Nathan Carter, Derek Ryan, Philomena Begley, Michael English, Louise Morrissey and Cliona Hagan.

Michael Lowry, organiser of the festival, is confident they are on track for another record-breaking venture this summer. “We have delivered five outstanding country music events to date and 2017 will be no different. On-site preparations have begun in anticipation of a hugely successful festival.

“Our objective is once again to raise funds for the Holycross-Ballycahill GAA Club which allows for continued improvements over the coming year.”

“We have confirmed another brilliant lineup, and with our loyal fan base, are confident it will once again be a superb family day out. When we started this festival it was the only country music festival in Ireland.

“It now attracts festival-goers the length and breadth of the country and this year we have noticed a huge increase in people planning to travel from abroad who will stay locally. This is a testament to the lineup, organisation and feedback of the festival.”

With assistance from members of the Holycross Ballycahill GAA Club, it is full steam ahead for the big day at the club grounds on Sunday, 16 July, with the show running from 1pm to 7pm.Tickets are priced at €20 and are available at Lár na Páirce, Thurles, in all Centra and Super Valu stores, and online at Tickets.ie. CL

Paddy’s night in Mallow

Waterford singer Paddy O’Brien returns to familiar territory when he launches his new 36 Song 2 cd compilation, A Lifetime of Country, in The Hazel Tree, Mallow, on Monday night, June 12.

Paddy has held various launch nights here down through the years and always finds it a central venue for many of his regular followers.

Joining Paddy for this special night of dancing will be Declan Nerney, John Hogan, Kathy Durkin, Shaun Loughrey, Caitlin Murtagh, Catriona O’Donovan, Keelan Arbuckle, and the Ryan Turner Band.

The show starts at 9pm and admission is €15.

The compilation double album will also be available through PayPal or by post from Friday, June 9.

James for Killala concert

An evening of country hymns and songs of faith will be held the historic St Patrick’s Cathedral in Killala on Sunday evening, June 11, at 6pm. The show will assist with raising funds for repairs to the 16th century cathedral tower and also restoration work for the Cathedral nave.

James is currently hosting a Sunday evening Gospel show on Sky 238 and a new album will be on its way during the summer.

He will also feature in a new summer show in Westport.

Donation tickets are €10 for the concert and are now available in Killala Post Office, from the event organisers, and from Dolly at 086 3159138. The show will be followed by tea and refreshments.