The Michael Commins songbook, a CD featuring 16 songs composed by Michael over the years, will be launched at a gala concert show in the McWilliam Park Hotel in Claremorris on Tuesday, 26 June.

The album features two songs recorded by the late Big Tom – The Girl with the Lovely Brown Eyes and Tubbercurry My Old Friend.

Some of the other songs included on the album are Maria Is Heading Out To California, The Wind On The Hill, High Five for Long Island, The Great Big Tom McBride, Blue Kilkenny Eyes, You Waltzed So Softly Through My Mind, Three Pubs in Bohola, My Old Home in Mayo, The One Going Home to You Tonight, Galway and You, Vermont In The Fall and Sing The Tennessee Waltz One More Time.

The show will feature singers who have recorded some of the well-known songs included in this collection. Among the bill toppers are Margo, Brendan Shine, Mick Flavin and Frank McCaffrey. Also on the bill are Pat McKenna, Eddie Lee, The Brose Walsh Band, Pat Ely, Kevin Prendergast, Matt Keane and Mick Mulhern.

Tomás Langan and Joe Garvey from Castlebar and a number of other guests will also be on board for the night.

The occasion will also feature a two-hour music session in the bar during the afternoon and another session after the concert.

The resident band for the annual November Galway Sessions Show – comprising of Frankie Colohan, Carmel Dempsey, Maria Fahy, Colm Naughton, Mike Stewart and Paul Vignoles – will be on stage throughout the Claremorris show.

Tickets for the show – which looks set to sell out well in advance – are now on sale from the McWilliam Park Hotel, local outlets in Mayo and Galway, and can also be had from Patsy Browne on 086 1551841.