The Davitt Country Band hails from one of the best-known farming counties in Ireland. But these Wexford lads have no intention of allowing the grass to grow beneath their feet.

The seven-piece family band have been carving out their own niche on the Irish country scene in recent years and are now playing shows all over the country as well as in the UK. They will launch their new single, Good Old Country Songs, at a gala night in the Ashdown Park Hotel in Gorey on Sunday, 31 August.

“The song was composed by Steve Farlowe from the Ulster region and we have given it our own special treatment with lots of brass, which is part of our distinctive sound,” says Joe Davitt.

“Mary Darcy is joining us for the big night and will also introduce the acts and sing a few songs. Louise Morrissey, Denny and The Heartbeats and Tony Davitt are also joining us for what should be a special night in Gorey, with dancing from 9pm to 1am. We are expecting big support from around the region as so many people know us down Wexford way.”

Family tradition

The Davitt Country Band, based in Ferns, is maintaining a long family tradition stretching back over the decades. Joe and Tommy attribute their enthusiasm to the encouragement of their father Christy, who played trumpet with the famous Davitt Showband that played the dancehall circuit from the 1950s to the ’80s and who died earlier this year. They have decided to dedicate the new single in memory of Christy and his wonderful input into the music scene over all the years.

The band has greatly expanded its profile in the last two years and has also picked up several awards on the countrywide circuit, including the Country Brass award at the Irish Country Sound Awards in the Hodson Bay Hotel, Athlone, last March.

One of the youngest bands on the circuit, with five member under the age of 23, the Davitt Country Band is packing a fair punch and creating a big stir in various parts of the country. Tommy (drummer) has three sons in the band, Thomas, Steven and Niall. Joe’s son Nathan (18) is also in the band, as is Tommy and Joe’s nephew, Derek.

Young Nathan probably sums up the feelings of all the young generation of the Davitts when he says: “I love touring with The Davitt Country Band. There is no feeling in the world like being on stage, doing what you love and entertaining the crowd – it is class.”

It is the buzz and sense of enjoyment and love for the music that carries the Wexford band along on a wave of enthusiasm.

“We absolutely love playing music and singing our songs and it is such a privilege for us to provide entertainment for so many people,” says Joe.

“We now play shows in all four provinces and people are so warm and welcoming all over the country.”

The band are away to Scotland on the 22 August for a series of gigs and return to play a gig in the Drummond Cricket Club in Limavaddy on Friday, 29 August, with special guest Hugo Duncan.

The launch of the single will be just around the corner at that stage and they look forward to a memorable night in the Ashtown Park in Gorey on Sunday week. Then it’s back to England and Scotland for another series of dates. These are busy times for the lads from the south-east.