Roy O’Brien to release an album

Roy O’Brien is no stranger to the many Irish Farmers Journal readers. The Offaly native has been regional development officer with the IFA for Galway and Mayo for several years now. But not many know that Roy has long harboured ambitions of recording a music album.

“This project started in the old cow-byre at home in Tullamore when I was a boy. To stop the cows from kicking when being milked, we had the radio blasting out the songs of the ’70s. I sang along and I’m still at it today. All around Athenry, Galway, Mayo, Offaly and Monaghan, where there was an occasion to sing at parties or gatherings, we sang,” reflects Roy.

For The Craic and For You is the title of the eight-track compilation which features songs as diverse as the Merle Haggard classic, Sing Me Back Home, to Love Rescue Me by U2. Others include Fields of Gold, The Night Visiting Song, and Hallelujah. It was recorded and produced by Francis Kennedy at Croft Studios in Athenry.

“Have no fear, I am not going on the road with a band,” says Roy with a smile. “This is one more item off the bucket list. I enjoyed doing it but I won’t be singing at the marts.”

St John of God concert

A concert in support of St John of God Community Services will be held in the Mullingar Park Hotel on Tuesday 6 October. St John of God provides services to over 6,000 children and adults, with people from every county availing of these services. The show will feature The Conquerors, Declan Nerney, Margo O’Donnell, Brendan and Emily Shine, Sandy Kelly, Joe Davitt, Shane Owens, Mary Darcy, Annette Griffin and John Staunton, Eimear Furlong and Eugene Ginty. Tickets are priced at €25 and can be bought from the hotel by calling 044-9337500.

New Stuart Moyles album

The McWilliam Park Hotel in Claremorris, Co Mayo, is the venue for the launch of the new album by Stuart Moyles on Tuesday 22 September. Stuart comes from a well-known musical family near Crossmolina. Joining him on the night will be The Conquerors, Gerry Guthrie, Patrick Feeney, Trevor Moyles, Jason Travers and Dermot McConnell. Henry McGlade is compere.