A night for Hugh Mannion

A major cabaret night in support of the Hugh Mannion Benefit Fund will be held at the Shearwater Hotel, Ballinasloe, on 16 October.

The venture is in support of Eir staff member Hugh Mannion, from the Shannonbridge area, who was injured while working to restore services down in Cork after the major storm in 2017. He is now paralysed from the waist down. Hugh has been discharged from the National Rehabilitation Hospital in Dún Laoghaire and needs a specially adapted car, also his house is currently being adapted to meet his needs.

His colleagues have come together from all over the country to organise this fundraising night to offset some of the expenses being incurred, and tickets are now on sale for the big night in Ballinasloe.

Many well-known names from the country music circuit have willingly come on board for the big night and among those who will feature at the cabaret show in Ballinasloe are Ray Lynam, John Hogan, Eamon Jackson, Simon Casey, Tony Allen, TR Dallas, Olivia Douglas and Paschal Brennan. Tickets are €20 and the show starts at 8.30pm. All support will be most welcome.

Lennie’s launch in Mayo

Lennie Grimes has been part of the life and times of the Westport region over the decades. He is especially synonymous with the music and drama scene and has played with various bands, as well as taking lead roles in numerous stage productions down through the years. The 12 October will see Lennie launch his new eight-track CD, A Piece of My Heart, at a special night in Darby’s of Cushlough. Joining him will be Frank McCaffrey, Kieran O’Malley and band, Tomás Langan from Castlebar and others.

David proud of album debut

It’s debut album time for David Kiernan, the 19-year-old from Ballinamuck, Co Longford. For the Love of a Song features 10 numbers. David made his recording debut two years ago with a tribute song to his neighbour, Mick Flavin. The song, Travellin’ to Flavin, was a co-write with Charlie McGettigan and is included on the new album.

David Kiernan (right) with Mick Flavin.

“The songs I have chosen for my album are ones that really mean a lot to me. I am so grateful to all the people who have been supportive since I first expressed an interest in country music. I want to thank Paul Gurney for his excellent work producing the album and Billy Farrell for his expertise in mastering it. I would like to thank in a special way all the musicians who played on the album and I am pleased with the end result,” says David.

A song by Noel Cassidy called My Town Ballinamuck is also included in the collection as a tribute to his former neighbour and country singer who died in 2017.