Legendary balladeers, The Wolfe Tones, will bring their brand new stage show to Mullingar Arts Centre on Saturday August 22. Featuring all of their hits, as well as brand new material from their most recent compositions, this special theatre show will bring their fans on a musical journey through the last 45 legendary years with The Wolfe Tones. The Mullingar performance, featuring a special visual backdrop to illustrate each song, promises to be a special celebration of folk and ballad music.
First seeing the light of day in 1964, The Wolfe Tones started out on a ballad career which has taken them to the heights of not just Irish, but international, entertainment. Their achievements include receiving the freedom of the cities of New York and Los Angeles, being presented with Philadelphia’s greatest honour – The Liberty Bell, appearing in New York’s Carnegie Hall on numerous occasions, Paris’s famous Olympia, Melbourne’s Victoria Hall, the list is endless! They have even received a special citation passed by the US House of Congress on the occasion of their 25th anniversary! Not bad for a bunch of lads who started off busking at the fleadhs around Ireland.
2009 has seen The Wolfe Tones commence a year of special events to mark their 45th anniversary. This tour has the group performing 120 shows in 10 countries. Having an extensive catalogue of hit songs in their repertoire, ballads such as ‘My Heart is in Ireland’, ‘Irish Eyes’, and ‘The Streets of New York’ are guaranteed to make the rafters ring in The Wolfe Tones unique style.
Their ballads from 1964 to the present day have encompassed every aspect of Ireland including emigration, famine, love songs, satirical songs, as well as those ballads which cover the most recent events in Irish history.
A huge factor in the group’s international success is the fact that they have in their ranks a ballad singer who is widely considered to be one of the finest Ireland has ever known. When performed by Tommy Byrne, ballads such as ‘Grace’, ‘Joe McDonnell’, and ‘Kevin Barry’, will show why this singer has gained a legendary status over the past 45 years.
Brian Warfield, the group’s prolific songwriter, reflected on his memories since 1964, “There are so many memories, but one would have to be our first trip to the US in 1966. We played Carnegie Hall supporting Carmel Quinn who was a big name in the US at that time. We met the Mayor of New York, Mayor Lindsey, who gave us the keys of the city. We then met the Mayor of Los Angeles, Sam Yoto, who also honored us with the keys of his great city. He said in his address that he had just given the keys to The Beatles from England last week and he now wanted to do the same for Ireland’s greatest band The Wolfe Tones. What moments to remember!”
The Wolfe Tones will appear at Mullingar Arts Centre, on Saturday August 22 at 8pm. Tickets can be booked via the venue’s box office at (044 ) 9347777. Renowned for their live performances, early purchase is highly recommended due to the current high demand for the only Mullingar appearance of The Wolfe Tones during 2009.
