Nanci Griffith in the Royal Castlebar

Fri, Jan 30, 2009

Nanci Griffith's musical journey has taken her from folk and country roots, to her own brand of “folkability”; from Austin’s Hole In The Wall bar to New York’s Carnegie Hall, Nashville’s Grand Ole Opry and London’s Royal Albert Hall. Griffith has penned such classics as ‘Gulf Coast Highway’ (duet with Emmylou Harris and Willie Nelson), ‘Love At The Five And Dime’ and ‘Outbound Plane’. In turn, she was the first to record Julie Gold’s Grammy winning classic ‘From A Distance’. She has also been honoured with five Grammy nominations, three as a solo artist (winning once) and twice for performances on albums by The Chieftains (winning once).

Ballinrobe Musical Society present Chess

Fri, Jan 30, 2009

Following last year’s sell-out production of Titanic The Musical, award-winning Ballinrobe Musical Society are set to stage their 2009 production, the modern classic Chess in the auditorium of Ballinrobe Community School from Sunday February 1 to Saturday February 7.

Chess, based on an idea and lyrics by Tim Rice, the musical which uses the metaphor of international chess to relate how the Cold War affected the lives of so many people features catchy music from Abba duo Bjorn and Benny, including the well known hits I Know Him So Well, Anthem, and One Night in Bangkok.

Ballinrobe Musical Society present Chess

Fri, Jan 30, 2009

Following last year’s sell-out production of Titanic The Musical, award-winning Ballinrobe Musical Society are set to stage their 2009 production, the modern classic Chess in the auditorium of Ballinrobe Community School from Sunday February 1 to Saturday February 7.

Jennifer Evans to support the Rye at Bar Ritz

Fri, Jan 30, 2009

This Saturday night Finbar Hoban Presents… Jennifer Evans & The Ripe will support The Zen Yetis along with The Rye at Bar Ritz (Mulroy’s Bar), Castlebar. Jennifer is a self taught musician and singer songwriter from Wicklow. Traces of Irish folk music can be heard throughout her music with influences ranging from Buffy Sainte, Pentangle, Maria Callas, The Doors, and Jimi Hendrix. Most recently Jennifer recorded a version of Dusty Springfield’s “Going Back” for the ESB’s new advertising commercial on RTE. television. Jennifer will be supporting local Claremorris and Castlebar group The Zen Yetis, playing original songs with their influences ranging from Joy Division and Kings of Leon and they are a group not to be missed. The headlining act of the night will be The Rye from the west coast of Ireland. They present one of the freshest sounds in Irish music today, they play in their own words “savage driven ceoil”. Their weekly appearances at The Cellar bar in Galway were praised as one of the most exciting residencies in Galway… “as if the ship manned by The Pogues has been taken over by an equally unhinged crew”.

Mrs Whippy lines up Castlebar run

Fri, Jan 30, 2009

Based on a novella by bestselling author Cecilia Ahern, Mrs Whippy is a new play which will be staged at The Royal Castlebar Theatre and Event Centre on Thursday, February 5.

Upcoming events from Custom House Studios

Fri, Jan 30, 2009

Group exhibition at the Sea, Sky Shore Gallery, James Street Westport, featuring work made by artists at Custom House Studios during 2008; Cecilia Bullo, Breda Burns, Nick Devaney, Pam Gray, Christina Heraty, Niall Mc Cormack, Sinead Wall, Ian Wieczorek, and Katja Wittmer. Exhibition will be opened by Cllr Margaret Adams, chairperson of Custom House Studios, on Thursday January 29 at 6pm, and continues until February 28.

Conal Gallen brings back the laughs

Fri, Jan 30, 2009

Conal Gallen is without doubt one of the funniest people you will ever meet. Having travelled the world making people laugh, he is back with his hilarious show at the Royal Theatre, Castlebar, in January. Described as "Ireland's funniest man in Ireland's funniest show", it's easy to see why – with his hilarious singles "Horse It Into Ya, Cynthia" and “Holiday in the Sun” along with his witty humour, Conal certainly has the knack!

Top quality keeps coming at the Linenhall

Fri, Jan 30, 2009

Fresh traditional music at the Linenhall
The Sullane Session featuring Fiona Kelleher brings its vibrant and heady brew of traditional music to the Linenhall Arts Centre in Castlebar on Wednesday February 4 at 8pm. Cork musicians Fiona Kelleher (vocals), Jim Murray (guitar), Richard Lucey (accordion), and Ciaran Coughlan (piano) present an evening of exciting new arrangements of traditional songs from Fiona's debut album My Love Lies together with fresh, energetic, arrangements of well-known tunes. All four musicians are well known and highly regarded, having worked with the likes of North Cregg, Altan, and Sharon Shannon. The dynamic combination of Ciaran's jazz-influenced piano and Jim's sublime guitar with Richard's accordion mastery give exciting and inventive new interpretations of the traditional tunes, and provide a perfect backdrop to Fiona's pure crystal like vocals. A breath of fresh traditional air is on the cards. The concert is grant-aided through a Music Network performance and touring award. Booking advised. Tel: 094 9023733.

Venture into space and back to earth at the national museum

Fri, Jan 30, 2009

Venus to blaze next to moon!
To celebrate this celestial spectacle Astronomy Ireland will set up powerful telescopes all across Ireland to give close up views of the conjunction of Venus and the crescent Moon. This event will take place today (Friday) from 6pm to 8pm.

Grainne O’Reilly exhibition of winter paintings

Fri, Jan 30, 2009

This series of works by Grainne O'Reilly is a continuation of personal memory of place, locations familiar to the artist. Moving out of interiors to environments which can include landscape and streetscape, developing the relationship between public and private spaces which is a central theme in her practice.

The Rye hit Bar Ritz as part of Finbar Hoban Presents

Fri, Jan 23, 2009

Next Saturday Night January 31 live at Bar Ritz Castlebar, Finbar Hoban Presents to you a treble bill of live music and entertainment with Jennifer Evans and the Ripe Intent (full band) and local Mayo Band The Zen Yetis followed by the eagerly anticipated Galway traditional based band The Rye. Kicking the show off will be Jennifer Evans and the Ripe Intent from Wicklow. Jennifer is a self-taught musician and songwriter. Traces of Irish folk music and culture shape her music style, along with rock, blues, and popular music legends such as Billie Holliday and Patti Smith. These contrasting influences have nurtured her sound into a unique mix that encompasses a wide range of music genres.

Status Quo coming to Castlebar

Fri, Jan 23, 2009

The legendary Status Quo tour comes to The Royal Castlebar Theatre and Event Centre on Saturday February 7. It is estimated that Status Quo have played more than 6,000 live shows to a total audience in excess of 25 million people. In doing so, the band have travelled some four million miles and spent over 23 years on the road.

When you talk about the legends of British rock the name Status Quo is always on the list. The Quo are your archetypal English rock band and join an elite group of artists who have continued to thrill audiences since the sixties. Status Quo have some amazing stats – no fewer than 64 British hit singles, of which 22 have made the top ten and they have sold more than 118 million records since they first formed in 1967.

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