Gasun Photography : Trim : Meath : Ireland

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.

June Bank Holiday weekend saw many festivals up and down the country, collectively benefiting from the glorious sunshine! On Sunday 31st, I dropped into the three-day Life Festival at Ballinlough Castle, Clonmellon, Co. Meath for an hour or so - great layout, fantastic music, relaxed, peaceful, chilled-out atmosphere (and that’s without mentioning the glorious weather again!). In short, Ballinlough offered a hugel slice of festival heaven to those in attendance and my only regret was that I hadn’t allocated more time to catch more music and happenings! Below is a small snapshot of events taking place between 03:30 and 05:45pm on Sunday 31st. Sincere thanks to the organisers for facilitating me on behalf of The Meath Chronicle. I’ll be back next year and hopefully the festival will run at Ballinlough once more. “Life” is Life …

Dublin DJ "Colin G" Rocks "The Shed" on Sunday May 31st at the three-day "Life Festival" held at Ballinlough Castle, County Meath on June Bank Holiday Weekend. Photograph by Enda Casey : http://www.gasun.net & http://www.gasun.net/wordpress

Catherine McMullen (Glenageary, Dublin) hula hoops in the glorious sunshine at the three-day Life Festival, Ballinlough Castle, County Meath on June Bank Holiday Weekend. Photograph by Enda Casey : http://www.gasun.net & http://www.gasun.net/wordpress

Portugese-born & Galway-based DJ "Alien Angel" rocks the Neutronyx stage at the three-day Life Festival, Ballinlough Castle, County Meath on June Bank Holiday Weekend. Photograph by Enda Casey : http://www.gasun.net & http://www.gasun.net/wordpress

Back in the day; Little Palace from Kells, County Meath released two very successful E.Ps. The debut “Beekeeper” featuring the song “Gift” produced by “Dead Can Dance“ main man Brendan Perry, and the follow up “Car”, which were both accompanied by extensive touring of Ireland, several dates in the USA and some shows in Paris, France. Following this, they released the nine-track album “Whole” and that was that ………

….. fast forward to 2008, and Little Palace returned to the studio to record some songs written by Michael Brunnock; the net result being “Invitation Time”; their new 2009 studio album. Long-term member and co-producer Martin Quinn says of the new record “This is some of the best work we’ve ever done and it all came together pretty easily!” The new album features a re-working of “Secret” with a fine piano performance by James Quinn, also a member of the band since day one, and additional strings played by Colm Mac Con Iomaire of The Frames.

An so to the country for a seven-date mini-tour which culminated in a homecoming gig in the county town of Navan on Thursday 09.05.2009 in front of 180 die-hard fans. Support on the tour was provided by Fiona Melady on the back of her debut album released in 2008 titled; “The Fear I Fear”. Well, everybody went home Happy for many reasons; happy that Little Palace had re-formed after more than 10 years and of course that there would be more great gigs to look forward to in the Summer Months ahead ..

The Backroom Rock Venue in Navan is a high quality venue that is attracting the cream of up and coming / established artists to Meath and has established Navan as a location that must be included on the gig schedule for more and more touring bands and singer-songwriters alike. Partner to the venture is e2 Music Navan, who host in-store gigs throughout the year so if you play The Backroom, there is always the possibility of a meet and greet at E2 Music.  Contact Sean Mulligan at The Backroom and Aaron or Darach at E2 Music for full details of what Navan can offer. On April 18th 2009, e2 Music Navan hosts Boo Vaughan, Eugene Donegan, The Myth, The Whatmans, Henrietta Game, Ruairi Coogan, Eddie Who & the Backroom Lounge Act (Nirvana Tribute) from 2PM for  Record Store Day. e2 Music also operate from Mullingar.

Little Palace before their historic homecoming performance at The Backroom Rock Venue, Navan on 09.04.2009 : Ian Melady (drums, percussion), Anthony Cregan (vocals, guitars, bass), James Quinn (piano, keyboards), Ann-Louise Mulvany (lead vocals), Michael Brunnock (vocals, guitars) & Martin Quinn (vocals, guitars). All band members hail from Kells, Co. Meath except Anthony Cregan who is from Navan. Photo by Enda Casey.

Anne-Louise Mulvany (Little Palace) soaks up the rapturous applause from the 170 fans in The Backroom Rock Venue, Navan on 09.04.09. Photo by Enda Casey.

Little Palace (Ian Melady) savors the Navan atmosphere at The Backroom Rock Venue on 09.04.2009. Photo by Enda Casey.

Singer-songwriter Fiona Melady who supported Little Palace on their tour performing in Navan. Photo by Enda Casey.

Singer-Songwriter Fiona Melady Photographed Recently in Dublin. Photo by Enda Casey.

The historic town of Kells, County Meath hosted the biggest names in comedy from February 27th to March 01st as Kevin Gildea, Ardal O’ Hanlon, Colin Murphy, Jason Byrne, Andrew Stanley and Des Bishop all tickled funny bones in their own inimitable way for the inaugural Kells Comedy Festival at The Headfort Arms Hotel. A full page of photographs appeared in The Meath Chronicle dated March 4th.

Robert Usher III & Comedian Ardal O' Hanlon

Kevin Gildea opens the Comedy Festival

Ardal O' Hanlon, Jenifer & Annemarie Greene (Lobinstown) & Kevin Gildea

Christy Moore and Declan Synnott played two sellout gigs at The Knightsbrook Hotel, Trim, Co. Meath on Thursday 26th and Friday 27th February ‘09. Christy’s new album “Listen”; the first since 2005’s “Burning Times” will be released on April 17th. These concerts follow almost two years after they last played Knightsbrook Hotel in March 2007.

“FANTASTIC”

"Poetry In Motion" : Christy Moore & Declan Synnott

The legendary Finbar Furey will promote a special USA CD release in March 2009 ( see www.finbarfurey.com). The cover photograph was taken in The Solstice Arts Centre, Navan in 2008. Other photographs from the concert also appear on the sleeve. I am running a competition in association with The Meath Chronicle in March for a “one-off mounted, framed and autographed copy of the print” and will publish some further details when the competition is over in April. On his return, Finbar plays Vicar Street on March 26th 2009 with a full band.