The Liberties blaze new trail on folk scene

One of the most engaging young folk bands to hit the Irish scene for some time is kicking up a storm.

The Liberties present the songs and story of Ireland’s most internationally famous folk band, The Dubliners, and their show, All For Me Grog, is going down a treat in recent weeks.

Replicating the original Dubliners lineup of Ronnie Drew, Luke Kelly, Barney McKenna, Ciaran Burke and John Sheehan, they feature the exact same instrumentation and their shows are going down a treat around the country,

Dubliner Wayne Wilder is very much at home covering the songs of Ronnie Drew, while banjo maestro James Gallagher from Creeslough in Donegal does some excellent interpretations of the songs of the legendary Luke Kelly. John Hill from Lissycasey in Clare is on banjo, Bardan Johnson on fiddle and Dublin native Jeremy Jenkinson is superb on the whistle.

The rousing and uplifting show features all the great songs from The Dubliners songbook and The Liberties look set to be among the leaders of the folk revival here at home.

All For Me Grog - The Songs and Story of The Dubliners show will see The Liberties on stage at the Westport Town Hall Theatre on Friday, 23 February.

Concert for Brooklodge Church

This Friday night, 23 February, the local community around the Abbeyknockmoy area of Co Galway will host a fundraising concert to aid the refurbishment of Brooklodge Church, Ballyglunin.

The concert, which takes place in the church, features Charlie McGettigan, Matt Keane, Don Stiffe, Mike Stewart, Carmel Dempsey and guests.

Michael Coleman, who won All-Ireland senior hurling medals with Galway in 1987 and 1988, says the community is very proud of the long history and tradition of this small, rural church and it is up to this generation to preserve and cherish that tradition. He has called for strong regional support for the show on Friday night.

The concert starts at 7.30pm with complimentary refreshments. Tickets are €20 and are now on sale in local outlets.

Keelan signs with Crashed Records

A young Donegal singer, who will sit his Leaving Cert exam in June, has secured a recording contract with Dublin-based Crashed Records, which also takes care of releases from Margo, Johnny Logan, Sandy Kelly and others.

Keelan Arbuckle from Burnfoot has been quietly making a name for himself since he was 15, guided by his manager and video producer Steve Bloor.

With two albums already to his credit, several guest spots with some of Ireland’s top acts, including Nathan Carter, Daniel O’Donnell, Mike Denver and Robert Mizzell, and his own show on the Keep It Country channel, Keelan is looking forward to the next stage of his expanding career.

Shay Hennessy, managing director of Crashed Records, has high hopes for Keelan and has just issued his debut single, My Guitar, on the label.

“Keelan is a very talented young singer and songwriter and we look forward to working with him for many years to come,” says Shay, who has been a central player on the Irish showbusiness circuit for many years.

My Guitar reflects the maturing style of Keelan, both as a singer and a songwriter. Clearly the time is now to take his career to a new level. The delivery of his debut song on Crashed Records is most impressive and the lyrics further highlight an emerging talent. His forthcoming album looks set to play a central role in the country career of Keelan Arbuckle.

Paddy hosts Wexford weekend

Waterford singer Paddy O’Brien will host the second of his annual weekends at The Clayton Whites in Wexford on 2-4 March. The first of the concerts was staged in Lawlor’s Hotel in Dungarvan last weekend.

Paddy will be joined by Patrick Feeney, Lisa McHugh, Robert Mizzell and their bands, Thomas Maguire and Fhiona Ennis, and Tony Theresa and the Stars for the festivities in Wexford.

There will be a double bill each night with dancing from 9.30pm, as well as an afternoon dance on Saturday and Sunday from 3pm to 5pm. Tickets for all dances will be available at the door. All the details can be had by calling Clayton Whites on 053-9122311.