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Matt Cunningham and family and friends are ready to roll out the music for their Home for Christmas concert in Campbell’s Tavern just outside Headford on Monday 16 December. The renowned Galway musician and singer is looking forward to another full house for such an integral part of the festive season in his home area.
This is the 13th consecutive year of the concert series and the proceeds from the show go to support Cancer Care West.
Matt and family, through their Home for Christmas shows and their annual spring concerts, will by the end of this year, have raised over €65,000 for various causes over almost 15 years. It is a superb contribution to the local region by this talented family.
Back in 1987, Matt launched his first set dancing CD and since then, he has launched another 20 albums catering for set and céilí dancers.
In between, he recorded the hugely popular Every Story Told which also included such country classics as Bury Me Beneath the Weeping Willow and Will the Roses Bloom Again. Among the musicians who featured on this classic album were Steve Cooney, Charlie Lennon, Frank Kilkelly, Charlie Atkins, Eric Cunningham, Ger Fahy, Eugene Kelly and Gavin Ralston.
Apart from his busy schedule on the céilí circuit, Matt and his band have also performed at some of the Enjoy Travel shows in Torremolinos in Spain.
After playing for a two-hour céilí session in Torremolinos two years ago, Matt, together with his daughter Ita and his son Joe and band members PJ Duggan and Larry Cooley, went from the céilí room to the ballroom where they were joined by Stephen Smyth and Chris Blair from Down along with Frankie and Keith McDonald and Chuck Daly from Athlone for another rousing two-hour session.
“The response was phenomenal and the biggest we ever got out in Spain. I played the fiddle throughout all that session and sang a few songs. These are special nights that tend to stand out in the memory,” says Matt.
The Headford man is as enthusiastic as ever ahead of the big night in Campbell’s Tavern. “I always look forward to this show and it has become such a part of Christmas for me. I am delighted with the assistance of many others on and off stage, to be in a position to assist the great work that Cancer Care West does each and every year.
“There is a special buzz to the Home for Christmas show and it is like a big party with everyone getting into the mood of the festive season.”
Tickets are available from Campbell’s Tavern on 093 35454 or online at eventbrite.ie. Doors open at 8.30pm and the show starts at 9pm.
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