Matt is Home for Christmas in Headford

Matt Cunningham will host his Home for Christmas concert in Campbell’s Tavern in Headford on Friday, 19 December.

This will mark the eighth concert since the series got underway and it has become a special part of the festive scene in the Headford region during that time.

The proceeds from this year’s concert will go towards the local Solas Family Resource Centre, where the staff does stellar work in the greater Headford area.

Matt will celebrate his 50th year in the music business in 2015 and also 30 years working as a music teacher in Co Galway and neighbouring parts of south Mayo.

“I look forward to the Christmas concert so much. It is lovely to share the stage with family and friends and see so many familiar faces in the crowd. It really is a case of getting in the mood and being home for Christmas. Campbell’s Tavern has a real intimate setting and is the perfect venue for a night like this,” says Matt.

Tickets are available from Campbell’s Tavern and doors open at 8.30pm. Booking is advisable as the event will be popular.

Derek heads Westport Christmas Party

The Westport Woods Hotel will host a Christmas party cracker this weekend. Derek Ryan is one of the top attractions on the country circuit in recent times. The young Carlow man and his band will headline the festivities on Friday night, 12 December.

Derek was honoured with Best Live Performer and Male Artist of the Year accolades at recent award ceremonies.

Well-known comedian Shaun Connors will feature as a guest at the show. Patrick Feeney tops the bill at the Saturday night festivities and he will be joined by Dublin group The Legends, as well as another performance from Shaun Connors.

All the details can be had from Showtours on 094-925-5000.

Christmas in Ballymahon

The Sheerin Family continues with their regular, once-a-month, gig in Cooney’s Hotel, Ballymahon, with another top-class show planned for Tuesday, 16 December. Their special guest on this occasion is country star Robert Mizzell.

These shows have taken on a life of their own, with followers flocking to the venue month after month for what is always a great night of music and banter. The show starts at 10pm and admission is free.

Tom Campbell remembered

The sudden death of Tom Campbell from Bundoran caused widespread shock and sadness in showbusiness circles in the northwest last week.

Tom, who was in his 60s, was a popular and respected singer on the regional circuit.

He had a great love for traditional country music and entertained thousands over the years in the Allingham Arms Hotel and The Bird’s Best lounge in Bundoran, as well as in various parts of Donegal, Leitrim, Sligo and Mayo.

He always made time for people and never failed to put on the best show he could, each night he went on stage. Tom was a gentleman and will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

He is survived by his wife Ann, sons Paul and Thomas, daughters Veronica, Rachel, Trina, Orla, Gemma and Tara, their spouses and partners, his beloved grandchildren, the family circle and his many friends on the music circuit.

New single for Tommy Flaherty

Going Down for the Last Time is an original single from a new album, due out soon, by Tommy Flaherty. Tommy has played the Irish showband and wedding circuit for many years, but says he is a new entrant on the singer/songwriter scene.

Well-known on the circuit as Tommy Fla, the new song is highly original in lyric content and production. It features fiddle, trumpet, saxophone and trombone, which combine to give this song a New Orleans feel. Many other styles will appear on the album and there is sure to be something to suit everyone.

The track was recorded at Real World Recording Studios in Longford, by established producer Paul Gurney. Going Down for the Last Time is a highly impressive debut.

Tommy Flaherty can be contacted on 087-930-0435 or via email at tommyfla@yahoo.ie

Ann at home in Clare and Galway

When Ann Kirrane from Tuam recorded her debut album, One Small Star, she could scarcely have envisaged that it would take her from her native Clare to California and from Tuam to Texas.

The album provided the perfect platform for Ann to showcase her vocal talent. Among the songs on the collection, that garnered a lot of airplay, were The Green Hills of Clare and The Old Folks At Home.

This week sees the launch of Ann’s Christmas EP, In the Bleak Midwinter.

The recording was produced and arranged by Burren resident of many years Garry O’Briain.

The other musicians involved are Dermot Byrne, Ronan Greene and Padraig Stevens.

This EP is a work of love and is dedicated to Ann’s father, Chris Droney, the well-known concertina player from Belharbour, Co Clare, and TG4 Gradam Ceoil recipient 2014, who celebrates his 90th birthday this December.

“To coincide with the launch, I am playing two gigs this Christmas. I am very much looking forward to a home concert in the Ballyvaughan Hall on Friday, 12 December.

“This is an area I know very well and there is a great love for music in the Banner County. I am also playing a concert show upstairs in The Crane in Galway, on Friday week, 19 December,” says Ann.