IMRO Showcase comes to Castlebar

Fri, Sep 02, 2011

The 2011 IMRO Showcase comes to Castlebar’s Bar Ritz (Mulroys Bar) on September 17 in association with Finbar Hoban Presents. On the night expect to see Limerick group Fox Jaw Bounty Hunters along with Race The Flux, New Sunset Hotel, and Pearse McLoughlin entertain the crowds at Bar Ritz all for a price of €5.

The dates, venues, and line-ups have been announced for the 20th IMRO Showcase tour. The annual tour shines a very bright spotlight on Ireland’s best new music talent. IMRO showcases Ireland’s most exciting emerging acts at the best Irish venues across the country. This year saw a record breaking response to the call for entries, with more than 600 submissions made from young Irish acts hoping to take part in the tour. After much serious deliberation, IMRO has announced the dates, venues, and line-ups for the 2011 IMRO Showcase Tour.

Culture Night – what will you see in Mayo on September 23?

Fri, Sep 02, 2011

It’s that time of year again; when cultural organisations and groups are busily preparing to throw open their door to audiences who eagerly anticipate the delights that await on September 23. The event in Mayo began in 2009 and Mayo was the first countywide Culture Night. Since then the number of participants has steadily grown and this year 25 cultural hotspots throughout County Mayo will be sharing and showcasing a wide variety of cultural events on September 23.

Gorilla Radio to take over Brennan's Lane tonight

Fri, Aug 26, 2011

Gorilla Radio are a four piece rock band from Mayo/Roscommon and Wexford. Members are Noel Kenny, Paul Newell (Ballina), Seanie Walsh (Ballina), and Joey Kennedy. They have been together for over two years now and have already built up a huge following all over the country and are regarded as one of the best cover bands in the country. They recently played at the first Ballina Music Festival along with The Hothouse Flowers and Sharon Shannon. You can catch them in Brennan’s Lane in Ballina this evening, Friday August 26. For more info check out www.facebook.com/gorillaradiolive

Mike Denver is bringing his show back to the Royal Theatre

Fri, Aug 26, 2011

Ireland's most popular country singer Mike Denver will return to the Royal Theatre on Saturday September 10 for a dance.

Denver has already built up a huge following in his relatively short time on the Irish circuit with 10 hit albums and three best-selling DVDs. With his excellent band and a super stage show this promises to be the concert of the year. Tickets are available from €15 on the door as well as through The Royal Theatre Box Office on 0818 300 000.

Bressie to play intimate Ruby Room show

Fri, Aug 26, 2011

The Blizzards were one of Ireland’s biggest rock ‘n’ roll deals, but that did not stop their guitarist and singer Niall Breslin deciding in January 2010 that he needed a new challenge. “We had six amazing years together,” he reflects. “The gigs, the fans, the other guys in the band… it was all brilliant, but I’ve always found myself being embraced by all genre directions. Not only as a writer and a performer, but as a producer too; I’m fascinated by every part of the music-making process.” He has managed to combine both musical genres to glorious effect as can be heard on his debut solo single, ‘Can’t Stay Young (Forever)’.

Tommy Fleming returns for what promises to be another outstanding performance

Fri, Aug 26, 2011

Following the huge success of Tommy Fleming’s 2010/2011 tour with the Irish Concert Orchestra, resulting in rave reviews from the media and fans alike, the demand for a return tour is phenomenal. As a result of this, Tommy is returning to The Royal Theatre, Castlebar on Saturday, August 27 for a very special concert with his band and the extraordinary Irish Concert Orchestra as part of The World Fleadh taking place in Castlebar this year.

Out and about in Mayo

Fri, Aug 26, 2011

The Way at Westport Film Club
Westport Film Club will show The Way on Wednesday September 7 at 8.45pm in the Westport Cineplex. After the sudden death of his globe-trekking son Daniel (Emilio Estevez), Tom (Martin Sheen) flies to the Pyrenees to collect his body. But he spontaneously decides to complete Daniel’s journey, scattering his son’s ashes along the 800km Way of St James, a pilgrims’ path which becomes a life-changing experience. En route he attracts a band of inescapable companions, each with a tale to tell, including an exuberant, wining and dining, dope-smoking Dutchman (Yorick Van Wageningen), a bitter Canadian (Deborah Kara Unger) and a talkative Irish author (James Nesbitt) with writer’s block. And although it is sedately paced (it is a long walk, after all), Sheen’s subtle performance — surly, uptight, cautiously poignant — builds in emotional impact, prompting one’s own reflections on the journey of life. Gentle, likable, and profoundly touching, it makes you want to dig out the hiking boots and make the same journey.

World’s number one female DJ flies into Castlebar

Fri, Aug 26, 2011

Lisa Lashes, the world’s number one female DJ, flies into Ireland for an exclusive performance in Club Mantra, Castlebar, next Friday, September 2. It is an electronic music feast as the iconic DJ performs alongside Ireland’s dance music prodigy John Gibbons, and a host of the country’s finest up and coming spinners including Damo Kay, Ger Gaughan, and Mick O’Donnell.

Glen Hansard in the frame to sell out exclusive Westport gig

Fri, Aug 26, 2011

The hottest ticket in town to the 36th Westport Arts Festival is expected to be Glen Hansard’s October 11 performance in the intimate surroundings of Matt Molloy’s Yard Bar. A paltry total of 80 tickets to see one of Ireland’s finest and best-known singer-songwriters in the hallowed venue run by Chieftains flautist Matt Molloy will be up for grabs today (Friday) exclusively on westportartsfestival.com.

This intimate, once-off solo show will be the final gig in the Frames frontman’s current world tour and will be his only performance in Ireland. Priced at a bargain €23, there is no doubt that legions of loyal Irish fans will be chomping at the bit to get them and a sell-out show is virtually guaranteed within hours of their release.

Nature of Life album launch at Bar One, Castlebar

Fri, Aug 19, 2011

It has been a busy year musically for Killala-based singer/songwriter, Dennis McCalmont. Last summer Dennis co-wrote and composed a number of songs for the sensational Terry Reilly/Tommy Marren musical production On A Wing And A Prayer, the story of Knock Airport. The production was a huge success selling out shows at The Royal Theatre, Castlebar, and raising much needed funding for the Mayo/Roscommon Hospice. Earlier this year, Dennis' song 'Carousel' was short-listed in the final of the Irish Daily Mail Fighting Chance competition for unsigned artists.

The Little Big Club to have a big party at the Royal Theatre

Fri, Aug 19, 2011

It is a party at The Royal Theatre Castlebar on Tuesday, August 23 with shows at 1.30pm and 4.30pm as all your favourite television character come alive on stage. Everyone is there, Thomas the Tank Engine, Barney, Fireman Sam, Bob the Builder, Pingu and Angelina Ballerina and all their friends.