If you were watching RTÉ One on Friday night, I hope you enjoyed the Irish Country Music Awards. Initial reports suggest that over 550,000 people watched the show, which is way beyond expectations. As regular readers know, I caught the country music bug a few years ago and at €15 a head for a three-hour live performance, it’s a great value night out. However, admitting you enjoy country music hasn’t been fashionable or trendy to say the least. Indeed, I’ve regularly been on the receiving of piteous comments because of my fondness for it.

But no more. Friday night showed that country has gone mainstream and is attractive to all generations. This could be seen in the audience mix and in the range of artists who won awards. Big Tom, Gloria, Philomena Begley showed the young guns – Nathan Carter, Derek Ryan, Michael English and Lisa McHugh – how it’s done. Well done to all and you can read more on pages 34-37 or if you missed the show, catch up with it on the RTÉ Player.

On Thursday night, I should have been in bed early but as the UK referendum results began to come in and it looked like an upset was on the cards, I stayed watching. Listening to all the commentary since, it appears that neither the political class nor those who voted out had any idea of the implications of their decision. I can’t blame David Cameron for saying he won’t steer the UK’s path through all the ramifications this decision will throw up. Listening to Boris Johnson, it appears he thinks that the single market and all the other benefits of Europe will remain once the migrant issue has been sorted.

Looking at the body language – with the exception of Ireland and Angela Merkel – it appears official Europe can’t wait to see the back of the UK – a country that has had its hand on the latch for 40 years.

However, in all that happened this week, the one thing that rankled with me and I imagine many other people across the EU was the meeting of the six founding members. There’s no harm with bilateral meetings between states, but creating the impression of a two-tier membership is playing right into the hands of those who want an end to the EU project.

Turning to a happier topic, if you are looking for a day out, then once again I suggest you take a drive to Newbridge and the Museum of Style Icons. I called in on Monday to see the new collection that once belonged to Marilyn Monroe and it was stunning. Dresses from all her major films along with personal items such as shoes, gloves and jewellery were on display. The collection is in Newbridge until 25 July when it goes to the US. Do visit what is now one of Ireland’s top five visitor attractions and remember, entry is free.

Finally, as part of the celebrations to mark the bicentennial of St Kevin’s church, Ballycoogue, anyone who was married in the church is invited to a mass there this Saturday night at 8pm. Further celebrations take place on Sunday 10 July with mass at 12pm. For a tight-knit community high in the hills over the Vale of Avoca, these should be great Gathering events and I certainly intend to make one of them.

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