Abbeyknockmoy folk raise the

roof for Galway Hospice

Thursday night sessions at Mannion’s Bar in Abbeyknockmoy have been an integral part of life in this part of north Galway for many years, with the locals coming together to display their vocal skills. Now they have decided to put these talents to good use, in aid of a worthy cause.

The end result, Down at Mannion’s Bar, has certainly impressed the album producer Kenny Ralph, of Sun Street Studios in Tuam.

Local musician, singer, songwriter and all-round character John P. Keane, who released two albums also in aid of Galway Hospice, said that all the singers wanted to record an album and did so with great enthusiasm.

John P. enlisted the backing talents of internationally renowned trad and folk musician Michael McGoldrick, from Manchester, a regular visitor to the west of Ireland where his parents hail from. He plays six instruments, including the uilleann pipes, whistle and mandolin, in the backing for a beautiful American Civil War ballad, entitled Lincoln’s Army, sung by John P.

“Some left the silage fields and the bogs to participate in the rehearsals and eventually the recording itself, and they are very excited about the end product,” said John P.

The 14-track album is a mixture of some well-known ballads and folk songs, with a bit of traditional Irish music.

The performers on the album are locals Pat Crowe, Pat King, Tommy Coleman, Pete Roche, Timmy Gilmore, Christy Treacy, Vincent Watts, Kevin Walsh, Noel Keane, John P Keane and Francis Farragher (the well-known Connacht Tribune reporter), while Michael Howley, from Dunmore, makes up the list of ‘have a go’ singers.

The backing music is provided by Michael Tuttle, Michael Howley, Francis Fahy, Alisha Crowe, Pat Crowe, Kenny Ralph, Michael McGoldrick and John P Keane.

  • • All support for the Down at Mannion’s Bar album will be much appreciated by all associated with the venture and the Galway Hospice.

    • Big country night in Cahir

    Cahir is all set to go country next Tuesday, 5 September, when Cahir House Hotel will play host to one of the biggest line-ups of the year in the county. The annual fundraising dance, organised by Caroline Walshe from Cappawhite, rolls into town and gets underway at 8pm.

    Once again, Caroline is expecting a full house, for the venture that has been running now for some years and which has raised funds for various groups in the region during that time.

    The lineup on Tuesday night includes Louise Morrissey, Jimmy Buckley, TR Dallas, Matt Leavy, Des Willoughby, Seamus Moore and Paul Rooney, Shaun O’Dowd, Art Supple, Emily Clarke, Honky Tonk Angels, Simon Peters, Anthony McBrien, Richie Remo, Aidan Quinn, Olivia Douglas, Matthew O’Donnell, Eddie Carey and Dermot Lyons. The Ryan Turner Band will back all the artists on the night.

    The beneficiaries this year are Cappawhite Senior Citizens and the Cahir River Search and Rescue team.

    Tickets are €20 and can be had in advance or on the night. Further details are available from hotel reception on 052-7444000.

    What’s another year for Louise?

    Country singer Louise Morrissey has taken many by surprise with her choice of new single. She has opted to revive the Shay Healy composition, What’s Another Year, Ireland’s Eurovision winner for Johnny Logan back in 1980. There are times in the cycle of nature and events that lend themselves to a new dawn, and Shay Healy has given his absolute blessing to the new rendition of the song that Johnny Logan took to the top of the charts across Europe all those years ago. Louise has newly wrapped What’s Another Year with her own distinctive trademark and the end result sees the song fresh and revitalised, and ready to sprout wings again. Shay Healy’s outreach across various musical genres remains an enduring presence on the Irish landscape.

    English headlines Cootehill show

    The annual John McIntyre fundraiser for Drumlin House Training Centre and St Christopher’s Hospice in Cavan will be staged in the Errigal Hotel, Cootehill, on Thursday, 14 September, starting at 8.30pm.

    For the third year in a row, Michael English and his band top the bill at this special night in the Breffni County.

    The guests on the show are Patrick Feeney, Eamon Jackson, and Keith and Lorraine McDonald, while John McIntyre will also do a guest spot.

    Joe Finnegan from Shannonside-Northern-Sound Radio is the regular compere for the night.

    Last year’s show was an outstanding success and raised €23,000 for the chosen causes. Another big night is expected in Cootehill.

    Dermot’s weekend in Killarney

    Well-known Radio Kerry presenter Dermot Moriarty will present a weekend of dancing in the Gleneagle Hotel, Killarney, from Friday to Sunday, 1-3 September.

    It gets underway this Friday night, with early dancing to John Nolan and Pete Fleming, following by PJ Murrihy. The Saturday night features Dermot and Sinead Moriarty, with special guest Kevin Prendergast from Mayo, as well as Patrick and Conor O’Sullivan.

    The weekend draws to a conclusion on Sunday, with early dancing to Eddie Lee and James Kelleher, with guest Noreen Ashe, Michael O’Brien and Philomena McGovern bringing the weekend to a close. Admission each night at €10 and dancing starts at 9pm. CL