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Christy Moore – 10 May: Christy Moore returns to the Clanree Hotel this Friday. Mixing traditional Irish folk sounds with rock‘n’roll, Christy emerged in the late 1960s as a shining new voice in Irish music. Since then, he has carved out an extremely consistent career, both as a solo artist and with his bands, Planxty and Moving Hearts. Credited as a major influence on artists such as U2, The Pogues and Sinead O’Connor, Christy Moore is truly a national treasure. Tickets available on www.ticketmaster.ie.
Extra Time – 11 May: Set during an August evening in a rural bar close to the Sperrin Mountains where Killgaddy Gaels have just won their county semi-final, Extra Time plays in the Garage Theatre, Monaghan on this Saturday. A young German university student has filmed the game and will film all that takes place in the bar on that evening, as part of his studies. It is a comedy rooted in recognisable local characters, but has powerful darker moments as well. As the drink flows, inhibitions disappear and tongues loosen. Brilliant comic banter from early in the play merges seamlessly with discussion about identity and secret personal histories. Tickets are available from www.garagetheatre.com.
Amazing Grace – 10 May: The undisputed queen of soul, Aretha Franklin recorded the legendary album Amazing Grace in the New Temple Missionary Baptist Church, California back in 1971. This famous piece of art went on to become one of the biggest albums of Aretha’s career and one of her most-beloved works. At the time, Oscar-winning filmmaker Sydney Pollack and his team spent two nights capturing on film, Franklin at the height of her powers, as she thrilled a shouting and dancing audience. For any music lovers, this film is a must. Amazing Grace is set for release across Irish cinemas on 10 May.
What’s The Story Rory? – 11 May: Rory O’Connor is Ireland’s favourite online funny man and best-selling author, made famous for his comedy sketches on his social media channels as Rory’s Stories. Bringing his sketches to life in his stand up shows, he has sold out venues across Ireland and even as far as Australia and the Middle East. His new show What’s the Story Rory? will cover all the most important things of being Irish and comes to the Riverbank Arts Centre, Newbridge, Co Kildare this Saturday. Tickets are available from www.riverbank.ie.
Working with Grease – 12 May: A very popular musical, with songs including Hopelessly Devoted to You, We Go Together and You’re the One that I Want, guarantees great excitement in Glór, Ennis, as people take a trip down memory lane to their rock’n’roll and disco days. Another great night’s success is guaranteed by the children of the highly regarded Ennis Academy for the Performing Arts theatre school. For more information and tickets, please visit www.glor.ie.
Connacht
Galway: Ballinasloe, Shearwater Hotel, 12th May, (5-8pm)Liam Mannering, (10.30) Derek Ryan
Mayo: Claremorris, McWilliam Park,
Social Dancing: 12th May, Johnny Mullen
Big Band Dancing: 11th May, Jim Devine
Leinster
Dublin: Dublin, Red Cow Inn, 9th May, Robert Mizzell
Kildare: Celbridge, Celbridge Manor Hotel, 24th May, Declan Nerney
Kilkenny: Slievrue, Rhu Glenn, 11th May, Dermot McConnell
Kilkenny: Pilltown, Pilltown GAA, 12th May, Twice Shy
Westmeath: Moate, The Well, 9th May, Chris Dallat,11th May, Eamon Mc Cann,12th May, Peter Bourke
Munster
Clare: Ennis, West County Hotel, 19th May, John Glenn & The Mainliners
Cork: Mallow, The Hazel Tree, 10th May, John Glenn & The Mainliners
Cork: Glanmire, Vienna Woods, 15th May, Martin Kearney & Derry Kennedy
Cork: Macroom, Riverside Park Hotel, 13th May, Tim Joe & Ann
Cork: Ballyvourney, Abbey Hotel, (4-6.30pm) 12th May, Finbar Dennehy
Limerick: Newcastle West, Longcourt Hotel, 9th May, Bernie Heaney & Boz
Limerick: Adare, Woodlands Hotel, 12th May, Patrick Feeney
Limerick: Kilmallock, Bulgaden Castle, 15th May, Declan Aungier
Tipperary: Newport, Ballymackeogh, Aherns, 11th May, Dermot Lyons
Ulster
Antrim: Ballymena, Tullyglass House Hotel, 11th May, John Glenn & The Mainliners
Cavan: Cavan, Hotel Kilmore, 18th May, Big Shay & The Memories
Derry: Coleraine, Bushtown House Hotel, 13th May, Matthew O’Donnell
Donegal: Bundoran, Allingham Arms, 11th May, Patrick Feeney
Down: Newry, Mourne Country, 11th May, Gerry Guthrie
Monaghan: Monaghan, Hillgrove Hotel, 12th May, Ciaran Rosney
Tyrone: Omagh, Silverbirch Hotel, 10th May, Johnny Brady
Tyrone: Moy, The Ryandale, 11th May, Ciaran Rosney
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