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The Galway Sessions are rolling around fast with just three weeks to go before the annual gathering of friends and country music followers from all over the island of Ireland as well as some who are coming over from England and America. The shows are hosted by this writer, Michael Commins.
This year sees a change of venue and the Clayton Hotel will host the two major shows on Sunday and Monday, 4 and 5 November. Almost 30 entertainers will perform over the two nights with a wonderful mix of artists that makes these shows so different from all the others.
Margo is the headline act on both nights and she will be coordinating our special tributes to Big Tom who was such a part of the shows over the last decade. Tom’s passing in April, just 11 weeks after the death of his beloved wife Rose, caused a huge outpouring of sadness and sorrow around Ireland and much further afield. The tributes were led by President Michael D Higgins who also presided at the recent unveiling of the Big Tom monument in Castleblayney.
Big Tom’s last ever public performance was at the Galway Sessions in November 2017. There will be a special poignancy to the upcoming shows as Big Tom will be remembered in a special way on both nights, which will include big screen recordings of his last show in Galway back in November 2017.
Margo, a close friend of Big Tom, will assist in the coordination of the special tributes to Big Tom at the shows.
The opening night Sunday 4 November sees a strong Offaly participation with John Hogan, Simon Casey and Olivia Douglas all on the bill. This show will also introduce the very talented ballad group, The Liberties, to a whole new audience. This excellent five piece band recreates the sound of The Dubliners in a truly special way.
Billy McFarland from Antrim brings his gracious and easy listening style to the show while Eddie Lee from Kerry is back again by popular demand. Pat Keane from Caherlistrane is a special favourite with the audience while we are also delighted to welcome back Deirdre Bonner from Donegal, one of the truly great voices in country and folk music.
Mayo’s own Mick Mulhern has seen his profile soar in the last two years and he is also on the Sunday night show as are Caroline Cresham, Tomás Langan and Joe Garvey, all flying the flag for Mayo. Newcomers on the night are young Kealan Arbuckle from Donegal and Seamus Delaney from Armagh, both of whom are assured of a warm welcome to Galway.
The one and only Margo will again be to the fore on our Monday night show when she will delight audiences with songs and stories. This will be her third year in a row at the Galway Sessions and last November she performed a duet on the last song ever sung by Big Tom on a public stage. She has had an enduring fondness for Galway and Mayo and the western province over the decades.
The night will feature a tremendous variety of acts and all will contribute to the tradition of the now legendary Galway Sessions. John Glenn is a perennial favourite and he will be down from Armagh on the night. John is, of course, now fronting The Mainliners, a throwback to his three years with the band from 1975 to 1978.
Matt Keane from the famous trad and folk family has featured at all the Galway Sessions and is a true favourite with the audiences. Matt is steeped in the easy rapport that rural people in the West exude.
Pat McKenna from Derry, who along with Hughie Turner comprises Glenshane Country, is probably the biggest draw on the social circuit in the western province. Pat is a huge favourite with audiences at the November sessions.
Also back by popular demand is PJ Murrihy from Clare and Caitriona Canavan from Connemara while Carmel McLoughlin and Matthew O’Donnell make a welcome return as well.
Newcomers to the show for the Monday are Gerry Guthrie, Stephen Rosney and the Back Axels, Frank Nelson, Seamus Dooley and Michael Mawhinney. A late addition to the bill is 15-year-old Aoife Leonard from Clare, an amazing country music talent. The shows are noted for introducing new acts to the big stage over the last few years and many of these receive tremendous receptions from the audiences who appreciate the variety of acts and quality entertainers at the shows.
The excellent resident band on both nights features Frankie Colohan, Carmel Dempsey, Colm Naughton, Maria Fahy, Mike Stewart and Paul Vignoles.
The regular afternoon sessions have become a central feature of the get-together and these are held on Sunday and Monday from 3pm to 5.30pm with Mick Mulhern, Tom Lyons, Michael Holster, Caroline Cresham and Michael Golden providing some great country music in the lounge.
Many of the artists join them for some songs as well as members of the audience. There will also be music and dancing in the lounge after the concerts on both nights with Mick Mulhern and Friends leading the way.
Accommodation for the two nights at the Clayton Hotel is available. Enquiries can be made by ringing 091-721900. Tickets for the shows are €30 and are now available from the Clayton Hotel, the usual outlets in Mayo and Galway, Ticketmaster and direct from Patsy Browne on 086-15518541.
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