Four of Ireland’s most exciting balladeers will join forces for a rousing Kilkenny performance this Friday, October 24, following a hugely successful US tour.
The High Kings consists of four renowned Irish vocalists and musicians in a quasi traditional Celtic supergroup akin to the Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem, expertly guided by the hand behind the Celtic Woman phenomenon, musical director David Downes.
Kilkenny native Darren Holden is joined by household names Finbarr Clancy, Brian Dunphy and Martin Furey in the group, designed to breathe new life into Celtic balladry.
Holden has made significant waves in recent years with his cross-genre performances, including the starring role in the award-winning Billy Joel musical ‘The Piano Man’, singing with ‘Riverdance’ and touring with Boyzone.
Clancy and Furey are names that will need no introduction, belonging as they do to two towering musical dynasties and Finbarr and Martin are blazing a trail for the next generation as heirs apparent of those dynasties.
And Dubliner Dunphy, who also boasts a famous lineage through his father, legendary showband leader Sean Dunphy, made his name as one of the Three Irish Tenors and a singer for ‘Riverdance.
“It’s great to be back home performing. We had a fantastic reception from audiences in the US and the tour was amazing, but there is something great about playing live back home,” the Kings said ahead of their Irish tour.
And the quartet are joined on their Irish tour by acclaimed singer/songwriter Cathy Maguire, who came to prominence at a young age and has since established herself in the US, recording in Nashville.
“My music is greatly influenced by the singer/songwriter approach, where it is just you on the stage with you voice and the story you are telling. This is a perfect match with what The High Kings are doing,” she said.
The High Kings and Cathy Maguire will perform in the Hotel Kilkenny on Friday, October 24. Tickets from Ticketmaster and usual outlets.
