Gasun Photography : Trim : Meath : Ireland

In what will prove to be one of the best live performances in a Meath Theatre this year, Jack L and members of the Maynooth Gospel Choir supported by the wonderful Jesebel pulled out all the stops to deliver a top drawer performance at The Solstice Arts Centre, Navan on Friday, March 5th. No matter how many times you listen to Jack L on ipod (Record, CD or Tape) on your B&W Diamond 800’s, it only takes you half way there … The live show with all its energy and Jacks vocal power is it would seem in my opinion, the best way to appreciate Jack L, while you always feel you are hearing trademark songs including Georgie Boy, Universe & Rooftop Lullaby for the first time …. The unsigned ‘Jesebel’ were an eyeopener and one to watch for the future … Now to the pictorial evidence which says more than I could describe to you in my broken English …

Jesebel : Solstice Arts Centre Navan : 05.03.2010 : Photograph by Enda Casey.

Jack L : Solstice Arts Centre Navan : 05.03.2010 : Photograph by Enda Casey.

Jack L : Solstice Arts Centre Navan : 05.03.2010 : Photograph by Enda Casey.

Jack L : Solstice Arts Centre Navan : 05.03.2010 : Photograph by Enda Casey.

Jack L sings the delicate and fragile 'Rooftop Lullaby' : Solstice Arts Centre Navan : 05.03.2010 : Photograph by Enda Casey.

The legendary Texan Nanci Griffith complete with her band and  touring her acclaimed new album; ‘The Loving Kind’ played a sell-out show at the Solstice Arts Centre, Navan on Monday, February 22nd, 2010. A few weeks earlier, on Monday, February 01st, 2010, Nanci received a lifetime achievement award at the BBC2 Folk Awards. Her fans in Meath were treated to a set of old classics and new numbers after Nashville singer-songwriter Chet O’ Keefe opened up the proceedings with a 30 minute set featuring many songs from his album, ‘Game Bird’ shortly after 8pm.  A few photos from this wonderful evening below ….

Nanci Griffith : Solstice Arts Centre Navan : 22.02.2010 : Photograph by Enda Casey.

Nanci Griffith : Solstice Arts Centre Navan : 22.02.2010 : Photograph by Enda Casey.

Chet O' Keefe : Solstice Arts Centre Navan : 22.02.2010 : Photograph by Enda Casey.

I was out on assignments on Friday night last and happened to catch Toronto (home of Rush) singer-songwriter, Royal Wood in Boyles of Slane (late gig). Andrew and Ditte of Boyles explained to me how they say Royal performing with Emm Gryner in 2009 and decided on the spot that they would bring him to Slane. While in Ireland, Royal also played The Ruby Sessions in Doyles, Dublin. Royal is a splendid musician and a self-taught multi-instrumentalist with two full albums and two EP’s under his belt. Visit him on Myspace or on his official site ….. Come back soon please!

Toronto singer-songwriter, Royal Wood performing in Boyles of Slane on 29.01.2010. Photograph by Enda Casey.

Toronto singer-songwriter, Royal Wood performing in Boyles of Slane on 29.01.2010. Photograph by Enda Casey.

It all started over a few pints of Guinness in McSorleys Pub in Dublin. Now with their musical director, David Wray, The Three Irish Tenors (Kenneth O’ Regan, Ciaran Nagle & Domnic McGorian) have created programs of their favorite songs and arias, not only from Ireland but also from a truly international repertoire. Since their first performance this talented and exciting trio has performed to delighted, packed houses throughout Ireland, the United Kingdom, Asia and the United States of America. On January, 23rd, 2010, they played a sell-out show at the beautiful Trim Castle Hotel, Trim, Co. Meath with violinist Tara Novak. Some photographs from the show below.

The Three Irish Tenors (Domnic McGorian) : Trim Castle Hotel : 23.01.2010 : Photograph by Enda Casey

Violinist, Tara Novak performs with The Three Irish Tenors at Trim Castle Hotel on January 23rd, 2010. Photograph by Enda Casey.

He who made time made lots of it they say; but toward the end of 2009 I wasn’t able to allocate enough time to keep this blog up to date as I became involved with Trim 2025 which took up all my spare time. However, I did maintain a certain level of productivity in Q4/2009 and this blog is a very quick look at ’some’ of what I had been doing between October and Christmas 2009 - to close out 2009 so to speak.

In short, I had a great shoot with Podge & Niamh Ham Sandwich for their single ‘Out of the Darkness’, Meath’s ONV Magazine very kindly featured me in their Christmas edition (Many thanks to ONV), I handled press/promotion/web site and photography for The Magic Numbers, Ham Sandwich & Guests who played at the launch of Trim 2025 on December 4th, while legendary Glenties fiddler, Vincent Campbell released a wonderful double CD of traditional Donegal fiddle music featuring one of my photographs (taken in Trim) on thee cover of the CD and another in the sleeve. Thats a few of the highlights and now for the pictures to match including Gerry Tully, Tommy Fleming, John Spillane, Don Baker, Harlem Gospel Choir, The Blizzards, The Magic Numbers, Ham Sandwich, Brian Kennedy, Opera Theatre Company, David McWilliams, O’ Carolan Harp Festival (Nobber), Save Louth Hospital Campaign & Feile Na Mi …..

Opera Theatre Company : Tain Theatre Dundalk : 08.10.2009 : Photograph by Enda Casey.

Opera Theatre Company : Tain Theatre Dundalk : 08.10.2009 : Photograph by Enda Casey.

Finally and sadly, on Christmas morning 2009, the people of Longford Town woke to the sight of St. Mels Cathedral in flames. As we all know the building was destroyed and it will take considerable time and resources to restore it to its former glory. If you would like to make a donation to the restoration fund you can do so via post or bank transfer. The details are on the Longford Parish Website. The scale of the damage can be seen on Joe O’ Briens blog link HERE. Below are a few photographs of the Longford County Choir performing in St. Mels at Christmas 2007 as we remember it ….

See You Out There In 2010

Enda Casey

Gasun Photography

Trim - Meath - Ireland

www.gasun.net

Recently, I completed a photography project for the Longford County Enterprise Board, where I photographed rural, urban, business, industrial and cultural subjects in Longford for their corporate business brochure 2009 +. While I was very pleased with the body of work overall, which included images ranging from Finese Medical to Damien Dempsey live in The Backstage Theatre; graphic designer, Mary Fleming of rustylemon Design in Lanesboro, Co. Longford compiled a fantastic brochure, which I have just seen in print ……

Ill post some images here later or link to the brochure if it appears on-line …..

I am delighted to be included with other Music Photographers in a projected exhibition of Music Photography on the theme; “Re-Action” for this years Hard Working Class Heroes Festival in Dublin. The exhibition is being curated by Conor Goodman (The Ticket), Graham Keogh (Hot Press), Roger Woolman (State.ie) & JP Keating & Aidan Kelly (Candy Collective). One hundred bands will play six venues over three action packed days in Dublin on October 16th, 17th & 18th, 2009 in what has become one of the most popular events on the Irish Music Calender. HWCH is a First Music Contact project and best wishes to the festival and the bands 2009!

For those who cant make the EXPO, Ill post my submissions here closer to the festival date ……

It’s always nice when a new festival comes along, especially when it sprints from the traps! This was the case for the inaugural “Rock The Lough” in Ryans, The Gormalough, Slane, Co. Meath on Saturday, August 29th as 800 people attended to see Damien Dempsey, Ruari Coogan, Fiona Melady & Peadar Farrelly (not forgetting Ethenos who played the e2 Music Garden), literally ‘Rock The Lough’. As Damo said; “It’s great to be playing Slane” and he urged the Meath football team to defeat Kerry and take “Sam” back to Leinster. Sadly, the spirit and success of this festival didn’t translate into a victory for Meath the following day in Croke Park!

This new event was managed by Profile Music Group and Band Wagon TV and hopefully the response to the inaugural event will guarantee it’s return to The Gormalough in 2010 and see it take it’s place alongside Le Cheile in Oldcastle (previous blog) and other Festivals of all types and capacities in Meath, including Slane Castle (previous blog). See you there then in 2010 and now for some photographs …… Enda.

Peadar Farrelly : "Rock The Lough" : 29.08.09 : Ryans The Gormalough Slane Co. Meath : Photograph by Enda Casey : www.gasun.net & www.gasun.net/wordpress

Fiona Melady : "Rock The Lough" : 29.08.09 : Ryans, The Gormalough, Slane, Co. Meath : Photograph by Enda Casey : www.gasun.net & www.gasun.net/wordpress

Ruari Coogan : "Rock The Lough" : Ryans, The Gormalough, Slane, Co. Meath : 29.08.09 : Photograph by Enda Casey : www.gasun.net & www.gasun.net/wordpress

Ruari Coogan : “Rock the Lough” : Ryans, The Gormalough, Slane, Co. Meath : 29.08.09 : Photograph by Enda Casey : www.gasun.net & www.gasun.net/wordpress

Damien Dempsey : "Rock The Lough" : Ryans, The Gormalough, Slane, Co. Meath : 29.08.09 : Photograph by Enda Casey : www.gasun.net & www.gasun.net/wordpress

Damien Dempsey : "Rock The Lough" : Ryans, The Gormalough, Slane, Co. Meath : 29.08.09 : Photograph by Enda Casey : www.gasun.net & www.gasun.net/wordpress

Damien Dempsey : "Rock the Lough" : Ryans The Gormalough Slane Co. Meath : 29.08.09 : Photograph by Enda Casey : www.gasun.net & www.gasun.net/wordpress

Yolanda Haughey (Collon) : "Rock The Lough" : Ryans, The Gormalough, Slane, Co. Meath : 29.08.09 : Photograph by Enda Casey : www.gasun.net & www.gasun.net/wordpress

Caroline & Colm Ginnity (Oldcastle) : "Rock The Lough" : Ryans, The Gormalough, Slane, Co. Meath : 29.08.09 : Photograph by Enda Casey : www.gasun.net & www.gasun.net/wordpress

Declan, Anne & Richard Byrne (Kells) : "Rock The Lough" : Ryans, The Gormalough, Slane, Co. Meath : 29.08.09 : Photograph by Enda Casey : www.gasun.net & www.gasun.net/wordpress

more photographs to follow ……..

Fresh from making a new movie in Scotland titled “IVAN”, the legendary Finbar Furey, accompanied by Francie Conway on guitar and supported by Anna Tully (Slane) hit Boyles for two sell-out shows on August 26th and 27th, 2009. How Finbar got to where he is now musically, is well documented; but tonight, Furey delivered a trademark performance and enjoyed the audience participation as much as they enjoyed his sublime performance. Newer material like “Nelly McGann” is mature enough and blessed to sit alongside the awesome “Green Fields Of France” in this two-hour set. Powerful and timeless stuff from one of the masters and yet again another top quality event from Boyles of Slane in bringing great music right to the heart of Meath …. And then there is tomorrow nights gig to look forward to and all …. some photographs below from tonight (26th), which don’t really do this kind of performance much justice methinks! I tried … E.

Finbar Furey : Boyles Slane : 26.08.09 : Photograph by Enda Casey : www.gasun.net & www.gasun.net/wordpress

Finbar Furey : Boyles Slane : 26.08.2009 : Photograph by Enda Casey : www.gasun.net & www.gasun.net/wordpress

Finbar Furey : Boyles Slane : 26.08.2009 : Photograph by Enda Casey : www.gasun.net & www.gasun.net/wordpress

Finbar Furey : Boyles Slane : 26.08.2009 : Photograph by Enda Casey : www.gasun.net & www.gasun.net/wordpress

Ana Tully : Boyles Slane : 26.08.2009 : Photograph by Enda Casey : www.gasun.net & www.gasun.net/wordpress

Francie Conway & Finbar Furey : Boyles Slane : 26.08.2009 : Photograph by Enda Casey : www.gasun.net & www.gasun.net/wordpress

Finbar Furey : Boyles Slane : 26.08.2009 : Photograph by Enda Casey : www.gasun.net & www.gasun.net/wordpress

Finbar Furey : Boyles Slane : 26.08.2009 : Photograph by Enda Casey : www.gasun.net & www.gasun.net/wordpress

“Ashbourne Summer Music Series” is a series of concerts featuring young professional musicians and hosted by Ashbourne Church Choir in celebration of their 30 years in the parish. The four August/September concerts (two remaining at the time of posting this blog) are as follows;

1. August 16th: Violinist, Nicole Crespo O’ Donoghue (Spain).
2. August 23rd: Dublin Brass Ensemble.
3. August 30th: Organist, Peter McBride (Ashbourne).
4. September 06th: Stylus Vocal Ensemble (accompanied by Ashbourne Church Choir).

Events take place in Ashbourne Church at 8PM and tickets cost €10 (€8 concession) so get out and support the events! For further information on the two remaining concerts (at the time of getting to post this blog) on August 30th and September 06th; email ashbournesms@gmail.com - A few photographs of Nicole performing from the first concert on August 16th below to set the scene ……

Nicole Crespo O' Donohoe : Ashbourne Church : 16.08.09 : Photograph by Enda Casey : www.gasun.net & www.gasun.net/wordpress

Nicole Crespo O' Donohoe : Ashbourne Church : 16.08.09 : Photograph by Enda Casey : www.gasun.net & www.gasun.net/wordpress