Good day from Monaghan as the season commences. Three and a half months since the last chat and here we are again…..
Everything here has been dominated by the passing of young Kevin Sinnott, Declan and Kathy’s beautiful son. Kevin was 22 and studying philosophy in the United States. I met him a number of times this past 10 years. He was a fine young man who thought constantly of others. Intelligent, bright and fun loving, Kevin will always be remembered by his family, his girlfriend Jessica and all his friends in Ireland and America. Declan was deeply touched by the messages of condolence he received both here and on the sister site.
Over the Summer I played some solo gigs in Macroom, Bantry and Clonakilty. With these under my belt I felt it possible to play solo in Sligo and Ardee. Declan returned last week in Limerick and we have recommenced our “tour”. Last night in Roscommon was uplifting. A GAA hall not used for gigs, the Roscommon crowd flocked in for what turned out to be a stellar night, despite the aspersions cast here by a few lugs it proved to be a great choice of venue. Paddy Doherty scores again! That lad could find funk in a forest.
I signed off on the DVD “Come All you Dreamers” which is now in production. It is a film I have wanted to make for many years and it has turned out as good as I hoped. 23 tracks filmed and recorded in Barrowland Glasgow and a documentary filmed backstage in that Museum of Music and Gaffa tape. Some of you 4711ers are visible throughout the audience, all behaving immaculately although a few of ye managed to avoid the cameras (ye were probably on sick leave from work).
Some great sport these past months…2 great All Irelands with The Cats and The Kingdom beating The Premier and The Rebel in two thrilling encounters. Got in a few bowling scores around the roads of West Cork. Also caught two great plays from The Ballydehob Theatre group who tour ‘fit-ups around the region. Two performances, one in Eileen’s of Kilcrohane, the other in The Ballydehob Community Hall were as riveting as anything I’ve ever seen…. regretfully I don’t have the details at my fingertip just now….
The Bantry Masters of the Tradition had its 6th year and I’m happy to say that we caught most of it again this year. We heard The Mulcahy Family, Niamh Parsons (with Graham) Tommy Peoples plus the Festival anchormen Martin Hayes and Dennis Cahill…great to hear Tommy Peoples again, his playing as mesmerising as ever and himself sharing anecdotes about the music which I had never heard him do before..
Did a Q&A at the Hot Press music forum 10 days ago-it was grand….did an IMRO song writing workshop in Copyright House 2 days ago…. heard the songs of 30 writers and we shared our experiences. It was an uplifting event to hear such a diverse range of songs and styles in one room over 6 hours…I certainly benefitted greatly from the exercise…
As well as the confirmed gigs which appear on the home page there are further gigs planned next year for Mullingar, Ballinasloe, Cappoquin, Thurles, Castlebar, Cork and Tullow….. UK dates being considered are Bristol, Warwick, Brighton, York, Llandudno and, later in the year, London, Manchester, Birmingham, Liverpool and Newcastle…. I will post confirmations as soon as these dates are confirmed…… there is talk of a few festivals as well but nothing further to report….. We will shortly announce a special night with the Culture Factory in Newbridge where I hope to introduce some local acts and sing a few songs myself. See link below for more info on the culture factory.
Alas and Alack……. Come all you Dreamers has developed a glitch in production… we are still striving to have it available for Glasgow …it will be available at gigs and from this site…we are not sure yet whether or not it will go on general release…
Other news… My nephew Conor Byrne has announces a series of gigs in Dublin. Each gig will feature the music of a different county.
My nephew Gavin Moore has released his second album. My nephew Robbie Moore recorded a demo recently. Please check them out Ö see links below for details Ö.
See you along the way… Good to be back.