Listening to The Irish Tenors Home for Christmas album, it is hard to believe this group are celebrating 25 years’ performing in the new year. Brought together in 1998 by Bill Hughes, the trio have built up a loyal following when touring in beloved Irish venues as well as across the United States.
Sitting down with Ronan Tynan in his farmhouse kitchen outside Johnstown in Co Kilkenny, he acknowledges he has to pinch himself at times. Having won talent programme ‘Go for It’ in 1994, four years passed before a call came through to be part of the Irish Tenors. Along with Co Wexford’s Anthony Kearns and John McDermott, the original line up was ready to go. Along the way, Finbarr Wright replaced John and now Declan Kelly makes up the trio.
Beginning with two dates at the National Concert Hall in Dublin on 7 and 8 January, Tynan is steadfast in the group’s commitment to quality.
“We never compromised on having an orchestra. As you can imagine in today’s world, orchestras are very expensive, it is hard to get people to come together … you are talking major money and promoters today don’t like major expense so tickets have to rock.”
On stage, he is well aware there is one job they have to do and that is deliver.
“It has to be special, because when you walk out on stage nothing else matters except the voice and there is nowhere to hide. The audience will see through you if your voice is not right.” The key, he says, is to “prepare, polish prepare, polish and prepare again” – a phrase of a master craftsman.
Ready for the stage
Studying medicine after school, towards the end of his degree, Ronan’s dad encouraged him to take up singing lessons while they were out milking the cows one day. This medical training has come in handy for delivering foals and calves, but don’t get him started on sheep: “They really pick times to lamb, they are no way near as considerate as the cows. Sheep can lamb in a ditch in the coldest field.”
But back to the stage, he recalls standing ovations from the audience at Madison Square Garden in the heart of New York city. Ronan credits his parents for preparing him for such moments. Born with a bilateral limb problem, after a bad accident he underwent a bilateral amputation at the age of 20. He tells Irish Country Living how his mother would leave coloured soap on the window sill in an effort to catch the attention of a young Ronan and get him to move without an aid.It was this and the never-ending encouragement from his adored dad that Ronan recognises built up his self-belief since he was a child. With that supportive start, Ronan knew he could step on stage because he felt ready.
The Irish Tenors (L-R), Ronan Tynan, Anthony Kearns and Declan Kelly who will be celebrating 25 years performing in the new year.
Filling historic venues throughout the States, the one thing that stands out is the love the American audience has for Irish culture.
?Ronan says: “They exude happiness and delight when they meet us.” When across the pond, the trio experience firsthand the affection their followers Stateside have not just for them and their music, but for the people of Ireland and our country.
“They want to hear the rebel songs, they want to hear The Town I Loved So Well, they love The Fields of Athenry, The Parting Glass, and they love Spanish Lady. They love all the Irish songs and can sing them and know the words – which is more dangerous because when you slip up, they will pick you up.”
With such performance experience in the united States, Ronan was invited to become artist-in-residence at the University of Kentucky by the late Pearse Lyons (Alltech). This gave Ronan an insight into the cultural fondness Americans have for Ireland and great pride to be making a solid contribution to the arts in the US.
Poignant memories
The States are where many Irish Tenors’ memories were made for Ronan. When asked about a particular favourite, the experience of singing at Ellis Island stands out as being the most nostalgic.
Remembering a great sense of accomplishment as the weather was dreadful and guests travelled over by boat, it turned out to be a packed event in a beautiful venue with the actor Martin Sheen on duty as host.
For Ronan and Anthony Kearns, both being Irish, it was especially poignant to think of Annie Moore and so many other Irish landing at Ellis Island under far different circumstances. Summing up this special memory, Ronan looks back: “I remember singing The Green Fields of France, it was historic.”
Having so far played sold-out shows at Radio City Music Hall and Carnegie Hall in New York, along with The Hollywood Bowl in Los Angles and the Sydney Opera House, one of the venues that stands out most for Ronan is the historical Mechanics Hall in Worcester, Massachusetts.
Having a reputation for excellent acoustics in a magnificent setting, “it is the most beautiful place I have ever sung in” he says. Having said that, he is quick to praise our own venues here at home, especially St Canice’s Cathedral in Kilkenny.
“It is one of my favourite places of all and the people are wonderful there.”
While venues may have stood out from performing over the years, he won’t be drawn on what song is his favourite to sing as part of The Irish Tenors, simply affirming “every song I sing at that moment is my favourite”. This then opens up an entirely different chat as Ronan goes on to share the pieces of music he likes, ranging from opera to Metallica, Genesis and American country music singer-songwriter Vince Gill. His piece of advice for readers who think they may not like classical music?
“Listen to Verdi or Puccini, particularly La Bohéme or Madame Butterfly” … Google “listen to Verdi” and YouTube will become your university.
Looking forward to celebrating 25 years performing in the new year, The Irish Tenors, seated, Declan Kelly, centre; Ronan Tynan and Anthony Kearns begin touring in January
Thrilled to have made a return to US venues earlier this month, March 12 2020 comes up in conversation and the difference a pandemic announcement can make. Ronan was in New York city, a motivational speech booked in for the morning and a concert performance scheduled for that evening, but by 6:30pm he found himself on a plane back home.
Responding to ‘Be on Call for Ireland’, he found himself sitting exams, getting Garda vetted and soon enough he was utilising his medical qualifications, as Dr. Tynan on duty at the Cillin Hill vaccination centre, next door to Kilkenny mart
“I wanted to do something … it was a very trying time, I formed great friendships.”
At work in the vaccination centre, he recounts inspiring people he met. Routinely asking if a patient is presenting with any underlying medical conditions, this opened up conversations and Ronan found himself bonding with people in a far more meaningful way than those who thought they were going in for a quick jab! This is verified by local media in Kilkenny. One contributor wrote that she unexpectedly met an ‘angel’ when she turned up for her vaccine. It was these connections that helped Ronan when he had a kidney removed on discovering renal cancer in November last year.
“Sometimes things are put in perspective,” he says. “We have to look at life as it is set in front of you.”
Having performed in the US earlier this month for their much-loved Christmas dates, Christmas 2022 sees Ronan making a return home to Johnstown to spend the festivities with his sister Fiona and brother Tom. Midnight mass will be on the cards and Ronan is looking forward to sitting back and letting the locals sing.
Early January, the 25th anniversary tour will begin at the National Concert Hall, Dublin, followed by a date in The Kingdom of Kerry on 14 January. From mid-February, it is back to the States to begin the next leg of the tour and a little bit of teaching at the University of Kentucky will have to be fitted in somewhere along the way too.
For further information please visit: https://theirishtenorsmusic.com/tour-dates/
Read more
Ann Devine: ructions at the ‘Big Money Wedding’
Margaret Leahy: as good for the head as it is for the backside
Listening to The Irish Tenors Home for Christmas album, it is hard to believe this group are celebrating 25 years’ performing in the new year. Brought together in 1998 by Bill Hughes, the trio have built up a loyal following when touring in beloved Irish venues as well as across the United States.
Sitting down with Ronan Tynan in his farmhouse kitchen outside Johnstown in Co Kilkenny, he acknowledges he has to pinch himself at times. Having won talent programme ‘Go for It’ in 1994, four years passed before a call came through to be part of the Irish Tenors. Along with Co Wexford’s Anthony Kearns and John McDermott, the original line up was ready to go. Along the way, Finbarr Wright replaced John and now Declan Kelly makes up the trio.
Beginning with two dates at the National Concert Hall in Dublin on 7 and 8 January, Tynan is steadfast in the group’s commitment to quality.
“We never compromised on having an orchestra. As you can imagine in today’s world, orchestras are very expensive, it is hard to get people to come together … you are talking major money and promoters today don’t like major expense so tickets have to rock.”
On stage, he is well aware there is one job they have to do and that is deliver.
“It has to be special, because when you walk out on stage nothing else matters except the voice and there is nowhere to hide. The audience will see through you if your voice is not right.” The key, he says, is to “prepare, polish prepare, polish and prepare again” – a phrase of a master craftsman.
Ready for the stage
Studying medicine after school, towards the end of his degree, Ronan’s dad encouraged him to take up singing lessons while they were out milking the cows one day. This medical training has come in handy for delivering foals and calves, but don’t get him started on sheep: “They really pick times to lamb, they are no way near as considerate as the cows. Sheep can lamb in a ditch in the coldest field.”
But back to the stage, he recalls standing ovations from the audience at Madison Square Garden in the heart of New York city. Ronan credits his parents for preparing him for such moments. Born with a bilateral limb problem, after a bad accident he underwent a bilateral amputation at the age of 20. He tells Irish Country Living how his mother would leave coloured soap on the window sill in an effort to catch the attention of a young Ronan and get him to move without an aid.It was this and the never-ending encouragement from his adored dad that Ronan recognises built up his self-belief since he was a child. With that supportive start, Ronan knew he could step on stage because he felt ready.
The Irish Tenors (L-R), Ronan Tynan, Anthony Kearns and Declan Kelly who will be celebrating 25 years performing in the new year.
Filling historic venues throughout the States, the one thing that stands out is the love the American audience has for Irish culture.
?Ronan says: “They exude happiness and delight when they meet us.” When across the pond, the trio experience firsthand the affection their followers Stateside have not just for them and their music, but for the people of Ireland and our country.
“They want to hear the rebel songs, they want to hear The Town I Loved So Well, they love The Fields of Athenry, The Parting Glass, and they love Spanish Lady. They love all the Irish songs and can sing them and know the words – which is more dangerous because when you slip up, they will pick you up.”
With such performance experience in the united States, Ronan was invited to become artist-in-residence at the University of Kentucky by the late Pearse Lyons (Alltech). This gave Ronan an insight into the cultural fondness Americans have for Ireland and great pride to be making a solid contribution to the arts in the US.
Poignant memories
The States are where many Irish Tenors’ memories were made for Ronan. When asked about a particular favourite, the experience of singing at Ellis Island stands out as being the most nostalgic.
Remembering a great sense of accomplishment as the weather was dreadful and guests travelled over by boat, it turned out to be a packed event in a beautiful venue with the actor Martin Sheen on duty as host.
For Ronan and Anthony Kearns, both being Irish, it was especially poignant to think of Annie Moore and so many other Irish landing at Ellis Island under far different circumstances. Summing up this special memory, Ronan looks back: “I remember singing The Green Fields of France, it was historic.”
Having so far played sold-out shows at Radio City Music Hall and Carnegie Hall in New York, along with The Hollywood Bowl in Los Angles and the Sydney Opera House, one of the venues that stands out most for Ronan is the historical Mechanics Hall in Worcester, Massachusetts.
Having a reputation for excellent acoustics in a magnificent setting, “it is the most beautiful place I have ever sung in” he says. Having said that, he is quick to praise our own venues here at home, especially St Canice’s Cathedral in Kilkenny.
“It is one of my favourite places of all and the people are wonderful there.”
While venues may have stood out from performing over the years, he won’t be drawn on what song is his favourite to sing as part of The Irish Tenors, simply affirming “every song I sing at that moment is my favourite”. This then opens up an entirely different chat as Ronan goes on to share the pieces of music he likes, ranging from opera to Metallica, Genesis and American country music singer-songwriter Vince Gill. His piece of advice for readers who think they may not like classical music?
“Listen to Verdi or Puccini, particularly La Bohéme or Madame Butterfly” … Google “listen to Verdi” and YouTube will become your university.
Looking forward to celebrating 25 years performing in the new year, The Irish Tenors, seated, Declan Kelly, centre; Ronan Tynan and Anthony Kearns begin touring in January
Thrilled to have made a return to US venues earlier this month, March 12 2020 comes up in conversation and the difference a pandemic announcement can make. Ronan was in New York city, a motivational speech booked in for the morning and a concert performance scheduled for that evening, but by 6:30pm he found himself on a plane back home.
Responding to ‘Be on Call for Ireland’, he found himself sitting exams, getting Garda vetted and soon enough he was utilising his medical qualifications, as Dr. Tynan on duty at the Cillin Hill vaccination centre, next door to Kilkenny mart
“I wanted to do something … it was a very trying time, I formed great friendships.”
At work in the vaccination centre, he recounts inspiring people he met. Routinely asking if a patient is presenting with any underlying medical conditions, this opened up conversations and Ronan found himself bonding with people in a far more meaningful way than those who thought they were going in for a quick jab! This is verified by local media in Kilkenny. One contributor wrote that she unexpectedly met an ‘angel’ when she turned up for her vaccine. It was these connections that helped Ronan when he had a kidney removed on discovering renal cancer in November last year.
“Sometimes things are put in perspective,” he says. “We have to look at life as it is set in front of you.”
Having performed in the US earlier this month for their much-loved Christmas dates, Christmas 2022 sees Ronan making a return home to Johnstown to spend the festivities with his sister Fiona and brother Tom. Midnight mass will be on the cards and Ronan is looking forward to sitting back and letting the locals sing.
Early January, the 25th anniversary tour will begin at the National Concert Hall, Dublin, followed by a date in The Kingdom of Kerry on 14 January. From mid-February, it is back to the States to begin the next leg of the tour and a little bit of teaching at the University of Kentucky will have to be fitted in somewhere along the way too.
For further information please visit: https://theirishtenorsmusic.com/tour-dates/
Read more
Ann Devine: ructions at the ‘Big Money Wedding’
Margaret Leahy: as good for the head as it is for the backside
This is a subscriber-only article
SHARING OPTIONS: