Introducing The Strypes at the Royal Theatre

Fri, May 25, 2012

The Strypes are an exciting young beat group from Cavan who have recently taken the country by storm with their 60s inspired sets. The four-piece band comprises singer Ross Farrelly, guitarist Josh McClorey, bassist Pete O'Hanlon, and drummer Evan Walsh, with an average age of just 15. They are set to be everywhere this summer with festival dates home and abroad, and right now these young mods from Cavan are all over the radio with the lead track from their first EP You can’t judge a book by the cover.

Irish legends Kerbdog are coming to Live and Loud at the Clubhouse

Fri, May 25, 2012

Kilkenny grungers Kerbdog have just announced an exclusive show titled Night of the Living Freaks Halloween fancy dress ball at Castlebar’s new independent music venue The Clubhouse in Castlebar Celtic this October.

Kerbdog formed in 1991 and following two albums released on Mercury Records, the band split up in 1998. Since 2005 the band have reformed for a series of occasional one-off performances in Ireland and England.

Summer dancing with John Hogan, the Offaly Rover

Fri, May 25, 2012

Described as the small band with the big sound John Hogan and his band are back at the Royal Theatre on Saturday June 2 for a night of summer dancing. Hogan and his band are long established as one of Ireland’s top party bands. Over the years they have played many functions, street festivals, dance halls, and concert theatres.

Barbershop competition in the Linenhall

Fri, May 25, 2012

As part of the Mayo International Choral Festival 2012, the Linenhall Arts Centre in Castlebar is hosting two barbershop competitions on Saturday, May 26 from 11.00am. The competitions, which are open to the public, offer a really enjoyable introduction to the world of barbershop singing. The competitions will be for barbershop chorus starting at 11am and then for barbershop quartet at 11.45am. Admission is €5 and will cover entry to both competitions.

Tyrone Guthrie recipients announced

Fri, May 25, 2012

Every year Mayo County Council offers two bursary awards to artists born or living in Mayo, to enable them to spend two weeks at the Tyrone Guthrie Centre at Annaghmakerrig, County Monaghan. Each bursary covers all board and lodging expenses for a two-week period, plus the use of a studio if relevant. There are a variety of work spaces including studios, a music room for composers and musicians, a multi-media room and a large rehearsal and performance space.

This year’s successful applicants were visual artists Mary Noonan and Will O’Kane, who were selected by an independent, external panel of experts.

Ardal O’Hanlon will play intimate Ruby Room show

Fri, May 25, 2012

Ardal O'Hanlon is of course best known for playing wide-eyed Father Dougal McGuire on Channel 4's Father Ted where he embodied the role of Dougal perfectly with his endearingly daft lines and dim facial expressions that few actors can rival.

Bealtaine variety concert in the Linenhall

Fri, May 25, 2012

Castlebar Active Retired Group stages its popular free variety concert of music, songs, dancing, poems, and storytelling at the Linenhall Arts Centre in Castlebar on Tuesday, May 29 at 8pm.

Westport Battle of the Bands

Fri, May 25, 2012

Thursday fortnight, June 7 the only place any aspiring band should be is in Cosy Joe’s in Westport. On that evening, there will be a battle of the bands competition where the winner will be given the chance to open on the main stage of the Westport Festival. Judging the contest on the night will be top international acts Mundy and The Walls.

Islands exhibition continues at the Custom House

Fri, May 25, 2012

An exhibition of mixed media art works called Islands continues until this Sunday, May 27 in the Custom House Studios, The Quay, Westport. The collection includes works from five artists from Canada, Holland and Ireland. The group comprises Pierre Bourgault (Canada), Mike Byrne (Ireland), Mels Dees (the Netherlands), David Lilburn (Ireland) and Marielle van den Bergh (the Netherlands). The artistic vision, practice and media used by these individual artists vary widely, but their work is linked by a fascination with the sea and coastline in their respective countries.Islands will be followed by two new exhibtions from May 31 to June 24. These exhibtitions will be of works by Ger Sweeney and Brid Danaher. Sweeney's paintings focus on developing a synthesis of abstract and figurative referents. While Danaher works in a intuitive rather than a calculated manner, using both oils and acrylics. She has a love of earthly colours and the use of thick rich impasto. Her works explores colour as reflected in the ever changing world of nature.

Mayo sings in May with the International Choral Festival

Fri, May 18, 2012

This exciting inaugural festival will take the form of more than 30 male and female international, national, and Mayo choirs participating on a competitive and non-competitive basis from Thursday May 24 to Sunday May 27 across the county. The event will include a number of evening and daily countywide performances, as well as competitions and workshops. For visitors friendship, relaxation, and a memorable Mayo experience is the theme of the festival, allowing choirs to meet other choirs, relax, and enjoy a great weekend in the beautiful west of Ireland.

The Love Hungry Farmer comes to Castlebar

Fri, May 18, 2012

Des Keogh, one of Ireland’s foremost actors and entertainers, presents his hugely successful, award-winning show The Love Hungry Farmer at the Linenhall Arts Centre in Castlebar on Wednesday, June 13 at 8pm.

Maverick Sabre live in the Royal

Fri, May 18, 2012

Anticipation is building in the Royal Theatre Castlebar as the date gets closer for the London born and Irish raised Maverick Sabre date at The Royal Theatre in Castlebar on Bank Holiday Sunday, June 3.

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