Marty loves to party or so they say! The popular RTÉ sports broadcaster has taken the slogan on board and he is bringing his party shows to some select venues around the country. The Opera House in Wexford hosted the first in the series last week.

The man from Clare is looking forward to the shows that combine music and song with banter and chat and humour.

“They hung this tag on me about Marty and the party and it seems to have caught on in a special way. Some of the comedians get a great kick out of it anyway,” says Marty.

“The idea was floated that we should put together a show with a real feel-good factor and that is the genesis behind the upcoming shows. I’m really excited about it since the format began to take shape.

“It will be lovely getting out to the country and hosting these shows which will have a real intimate connection with the audiences. I will be down among them and picking people at random for a bit of chat and craic.”

The first show went down a treat in Wexford and the second Marty’s Party Night will be staged in the TLT in Drogheda on Friday 24 June. The guests will be Tommy Fleming, the Galway Tenors, Paul Harrington and Charlie McGettigan, Lisa Lambe and the Drogheda Male Voice Choir.

Marty Morrissey is now the road with his new Marty's Party show. \ Ramona Farrelly

Marty has just returned from a few days in New York. He was born in New York and he spent the first few years of his life in The Bronx.

“I love New York and especially Manhattan where I never tire of the buzz. It’s my kind of town!” enthuses Marty.

Apart from his official assignments with RTÉ over the days ahead, he is also highly focussed on the Party Nights, which he promises will be brimming with laughter and talent.

“I feel we have got the mix right for what a real party night should be all about. There will be something for all the family. We will also have lots of prizes and giveaways which will engage the audiences in a special way. I look forward to meeting many people during our show in Drogheda. Let’s party together!”

Tickets are priced at €33 and are available online from both venues.

The race is on as Kilkenny goes Country at Gowran!

The Kilkenny Country Music Festival returns to the famed Gowran Park Racecourse on Sunday 3 July from 1pm to 7pm after a lapse of three years.

All associated with this well-established venture are thrilled to see a return to normality and are looking forward to welcoming country music aficionados to Gowran Park, which is also the home area of the legendary Young Irelands GAA Hurling Club, which is the host of this venture.

Mike Denver will play the Kilkenny Country Music Festival. \ David Ruffles

The Kilkenny Country Festival was inaugurated in 2017 and the dedicated committee hosted similar festivals in 2018 and 2019 until the series was interrupted by the COVID-19 restrictions which brought the entire entertainment scene to a standstill for over two years.

The enthusiasm among the committee members is plain to see and they must be more than thrilled that their decision to go with Sunday 3 July has avoided a clash with the Kilkenny hurlers’ All-Ireland semi-final game which is down for decision on the previous day, Saturday 2 July. The date for the Country Festival was selected months in advance so luck is certainly on the side of the festival promoters on this occasion.

The show will feature Mike Denver, Robert Mizzell, Jimmy and Claudia Buckley, Cliona Hagan, Trudi Lalor and The Conquerors and the compere for the afternoon is James Lakes.

Admission is €25 and under 12s are free when accompanied by an adult. Tickets are available online at www.kilkennycountrymusicfestival.ie

Other festivals

Watch out also for the Cut Loose Country Music Festival which will be staged in Holycross, Co Tipperary, on Sunday 31 July. The inaugural Wexford Country Fest will be held at Wexford Racecourse on Sunday, 7 August. Tickets for the Tipperary and Wexford shows are now on sale.

Enniscrone Welcome Home returns after three years

The Enniscrone Welcome Home Festival will be held in the Diamond Coast Hotel from 19-24 June.

The lovely seaside town, eight miles from Ballina, has been home to this annual gathering since the series was inaugurated back in 2010.

The venture is organised by Gerry Flynn, a Mayo man based in Blackburn in England for many years and a former head of Bord Fáilte for the English Midlands region.

Overseas market

Gerry pioneered the whole overseas Irish music holiday market almost three decades ago for céili and country bands.

The lineup for the five-day music event features Stephen Smyth and Band, Foot Tappers Céili Band, The New Annaly Céili Band and more.

Mick Mackey from Clonmel is in charge of the nightly sessions in the bar.

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