Trip to Tipp time again

It’s that time of year again when the annual Trip to Tipp rolls around. The venture, promoted by Enjoy Travel, has become established as a firm favourite on the social calendar in this part of the country. It will be staged in the Clonmel Park Hotel from 9-12 November.

Clonmel man Mick Mackey, who hosts the legendary bar sessions for Enjoy Travel on their Spain and Portugal trips, is the man who makes the Trip to Tipp buzz so special. Mick is on home ground here and he sure knows how to run the show. The Thursday night has a session in the lounge and serves as the “Welcome to Tipp” occasion as early arrivals from the UK and around Ireland ease into the mood of the weekend.

Glenshane Country, featuring Pat McKenna and Hughie Turner from Derry, will provide the music in the main bar on Friday afternoon from 3pm to 5pm. The Salamanca are in the Céilí Room from 9pm to 11pm. Pat Jordan and Kieran Towey are in the main ballroom from 9pm to 11pm, while Art Supple and the Enjoy Travel Band will entertain patrons from 11pm to 1am.

Glenshane Country are back in the bar again on Saturday afternoon from 3pm to 5pm, while The Glenside are in the Céilí Room at 9pm. The Moynihan Brothers from Wexford are on stage in the ballroom at 9pm and Brendan Shine and his band take it home from 11pm to 1am. There is an afternoon dance with the Johnny Reidy Céilí Band, featuring Eddie Lee, on Sunday at 2.30pm. There will also music in the bar and Stephen Smyth and his band are the top attraction in the ballroom at 9pm on the Sunday night.

Mick Mackey, who will conduct the ever-popular sessions in the bar each night over the weekend, says they are looking forward to welcoming their many friends to Clonmel again. “The Trip to Tipp has become a firm favourite with so many people. People look forward to it year after year. Apart from those who travel from all over Ireland and the UK, we also get a very strong ‘walk-up’ on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, especially from Tipperary, Waterford and Kilkenny. It is brilliant value and people appreciate that,” says Mick.

Opry Derry makes TG4 debut

The new seven-part series of Opry Derry gets underway on TG4 on Tuesday nights, 7 November. Many of the well-known names from the Irish country music scene will feature throughout November and December. The series was recorded in the Millennium Forum Theatre in Derry and the shows are hosted by Daniel O’Donnell.

Paddy on track

Kilkenny man Paddy Fitzpatrick has composed some fine songs over the years. His latest release, Sandy, was inspired by a young artist he saw painting a depiction of The Last Supper on a sidewalk in Kilkenny. His songs are always reflective – many with a strong philosophical nature. The man from Tullaroan has performed at numerous shows over the years and his own nights in the Set Theatre in Kilkenny draw a loyal clientele on an annual basis.

Anthony Condon’s

musical heritage

The Condon family name has been synonymous with the music scene in Ireland over the decades. Born and raised in Dublin to parents from Galway and Tipperary, their earliest influences were very much of the traditional Irish variety.

Bob has been actively involved in the band management scene for many years, while Billy is one of our best- known country fiddle players. He was a member of the original Ray Lynam and The Hillbillies band and is now with the Gerry Guthrie band. Owen, who died in recent years, was a member of the Napper Tandy group. Waltzing on Borrowed Time was a sizeable hit song for him.

Recent weeks has seen the release of A Heritage to Treasure, a 10-track compilation from Anthony (Tony) Condon. It features Anthony on the button accordion, flute and saxophone, playing a variety of music including reels, jigs, hornpipes and polkas. He also includes three songs, Come with me to Clare, Dublin Town in 1962, and Lovely Westmeath.

Anthony has remained close to the trad scene all his life and plays mainly around the Dublin region. A Heritage to Treasure reflects his enduring love for the music of this country.