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.

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

Legendary Irish singer-songwriter, Paul Brady is about half way through his national “Travelin’ Light” solo tour when he played the first of his two sell-out shows in the Solstice Arts Centre, Navan on Wendesday, June 10th, 2009. Navan was treated to new material as well as classics including “Paradise Is Here” & “Crazy Dreams” from his extensive repertoire on his first visit to Solstice and indeed many of the other venues on the tour. Support on both evenings was provided by Castelderg’s finest; Lisa McLoughlin.

Legendary Irish Singer-Songwriter, Paul Brady Performing At The First Of His Two Sell-Out Shows At The Solstice Arts Centre, Navan On Wednesday June 10th, 2009. Photograph by Enda Casey : http://www.gasun.net & http://www.gasun.net/wordpress

Lisa McLoughlin : Solstice Arts Centre Navan : 10.06.2009 : Photograph by Enda Casey : http://www.gasun.net & http://www.gasun.net/wordpress

As reported previously [see link], I ran a Finbar Furey competition in association with The Meath Chronicle for a mounted, framed autographed print which was used on the cover of Finbars USA album released in March 2009. The photograph was taken in the Solstice Arts Centre, Navan in 2008 and the competition winner is Sinead Doyle, Streete Village, Rathowen, Co. Westmeath. Well done Sinead! On Saturday, April 25^th 2009, Finbar autographed the winning print before playing a historic hometown gig in Decies Country Bar in the heart of old Ballyfermot, a venue Finbar had not played in over 40 years as he recalled and that was with other musicians! “A gig or a session Finbar pondered but whatever it was, the sensetive rendetion of timeless classics such as “The Lonesome Boatman”, “Sweet Sixteen” and “The Green Fields of France” is still breathtaking to watch and witness, especially tonight! Thanks to Finbar and all at Decies, including promoter Gary Power for a fantastic evening, equally enjoyed by myself and Trim Singer-Songwriter Gerry Tully. A few related photographs below, but as we departed Ballyfermot, we couldn’t help but re-call Christy Moore and “Joxer” on the ipod ….”There was fans from Ballyfermot, Ballybough and Ballymun, on the journey of a lifetime and the craic was ninety-one. Joxer met a Germans daughter on the banks of the River Rhine, and he told her she’d be welcome in Ballyfermot any time” …. We certainly were.

From Ballyfermot with Love : Finbar Furey Autographs The Photograph For The Meath Chronicle Competition. Photograph(s) by Enda Casey - www.gasun.net

Finbar Furey & Trim Singer-Songwriter Gerry Tully. Photograph by Enda Casey - www.gasun.net

Finbar Furey bridges a 30-year gap when he performed at Decies Country Bar Ballyfermot on Saturday, April 25th, 2009. Photograph by Enda Casey - www.gasun.net

Legendary Country singer Mary Duff graced the stage at Solstice Arts Centre, Navan for a sell-out show on Saturday, February 28th. From Solstice, Mary tours Australia and USA until June 2009 followed by dates in England and Scotland in September. Meanwhile, fans of country music from Meath and beyond will no doubt welcome Daniel O’ Donnell back to Knightsbrook Hotel, Trim on July 12th 2009 for what promises to be another sell-out show following on from the two recent concerts by Christy Moore and Declan Synnott reported below.

Mary Duff - Solstice Arts Centre Navan - 28.02.09

Mundy played two “sell-out” dates in County Meath on February 03rd in Boyles of Slane (supported by Pat Barrett) and February 24th in Solstice, Navan (supported by Anne McCue). Photo from each show below. Mundy releases his new album “Strawberry Blood” on April 17th 2009.

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.