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Not many Leaving Cert students can look forward to releasing their debut album five months before the June exams but Ross Molloy from Stradbally, Co Laois, is the exception. The 17-year-old is gearing up for a gala night in the Abbeyleix Manor Hotel on Friday 20 January and the young man is taking it all in his stride.
With a laid-back nature that the great Texan country singer Don Williams would surely have approved of, Ross does not do panic.
Ahead of his final year exams in Portlaoise College, he has his mind set on doing a Radio and TV production course at Carlow College in September if results go his way.
Ross is currently delighted by the response to his debut album which was released before Christmas ahead of the official launch on 20 January. The County I Love Best of All features 12 tracks and the title number is, naturally enough, dedicated to his beloved Laois.
“This song is getting a massive response from radio listeners, not just in Laois and the midlands but around the country and overseas. The lyrics take us on a journey through Laois and so many people from the county identify with it and all the towns and villages named along the way,” says Ross.
His five singles to date: A Kingdom I Call Home, An Old Man’s Wish, Blue Kilkenny Eyes, Souvenirs, and She’s Sweet, She’s Kind and She’s Mine, are all included on the debut album. “My first single was a song I heard by Dave Lalor from Tullamore, A Kingdom I Call Home, that I recorded two years ago.
“I have always loved country songs and I owe much of that to my uncle Paddy Fennell from Timahoe who played keyboards with a local band called The Ranchers. Har Ramsbottom here in Stradbally, who had his own bands back the years, has also been very supportive of me. He is a legend in these parts,” reflects Ross. Among the other songs on the album are Counting the Miles to Laois (written by Laois farmer, Christy Cullen), The Shack in Ballyhaise, When the Robins Come Home and Railroad Train along with some others.
“This album is a dream come true for me,” says Ross. “I recorded all the songs with Glen Flynn at his studios over in Offaly and he has been so kind and encouraging to me. He plays on all the songs. I am also delighted that Billy Condon, the renowned fiddle player, features so much on this album as well as Jim McVeigh, the fine accordion player from up north and all the musicians who have created this album.
“A special word of thanks is due as well to my great promoter, Steve Bloor, for all his work and the videos. I also want to thank my family and my wonderful friends and DJs across all of Ireland for their wonderful support. Copies of the CD album can be ordered via the Steve Bloor website and from record stores around the country or direct from me in Stradbally, Co Laois.”
Joining Ross for his big launch night in the Abbeyleix Manor Hotel will be a host of musicians and singers from all corners of the country. Kildare man Alistair Fingleton and his band will be there. Seán Brennan from Lanesboro, Wexford’s Michelle Murphy and Stacey Breen, Tommy B from Wicklow and Richard Mulligan and Julie Healy from Galway. This is a dance/cabaret night and it gets under way at 9.30pm.
Tickets will be available on the door at €10 and in advance on Eventbrite.
Matt Keane and friends for gala shows in Claregalway
In the west, the annual Matt Keane and Friends concert shows have become an integral part of the festive celebrations. Matt is a member of the legendary Keane family from Caherlistrane and is a brother of Dolores and Seán.
The Claregalway Hotel has been the setting for these unique and homely shows since the outset and the 14th annual staging of the concerts will be held on Friday and Saturday 6 and 7 January.
They attract a loyal clientele who feel completely at home in the laid-back nature of these music nights that warm the hearts of all. This is western hospitality at its best in a warm and friendly setting.
Matt is thrilled that things are set to return to normal after the pandemic years of 2020 and 2021. “I can hardly tell you how delighted I am that we are heading back to Claregalway for two special nights,” says Matt. “We are blessed with a hugely loyal audience, mainly from Galway and Mayo, but also from the other western counties, Tyrone and down south as well. A few even come over from England too.”
Joining Matt and his internationally acclaimed brother, Seán, will be Orla and Laura Keane, Colm Naughton, Maria Fahy, Pat Coyne, Catherine and Áine McHugh and Conor Connolly along with special guests, Mick Mulhern, Liz and Yvonne Keane, Melissa and Darren Clarke, and maybe a few other ramblers.
Tickets are €30 and can be purchased from the Claregalway Hotel (091 738300), Quinn’s Shop in Tuam, The Homeplace Café in Headford or direct from Matt at 087 2559079.
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