Grapevine - a round-up of this week's country music news

The Laois Open Door Theatre Company has received rapturous receptions at various venues for their presentation of the John B Keane classic, The Year of The Hiker. The lead role of the Hiker is played by Kevin Lalor-Fitzpatrick from Raheen, Abbeyleix, a well-known country music presenter on Midlands Radio. The group will stage the play in John B’s home town of Listowel on 31 May. Kevin returns to Midlands Radio on 6 June for his 9pm to midnight show.

Margo O’Donnell has just returned from a trip to Fatima. While there, she was inspired to write a new song about Fatima which she performed to friends who were on the pilgrimage and which went down a treat. The Donegal legend will headline her own concert shows in Killarney and Castlebar in August.

Down Kilkenny and Carlow way, Listen To The Wind by local singer PJ Brenan has remained one of the most requested songs on the Johnny Barry Show on KCLR for many months.

Marty Mone from Castleblayney, well known in agricultural circles in Co Monaghan, has achieved in excess of one million hits on YouTube for his song Hit The Diff. The Castleblayney man has seen phenomenal interest in his song from around the world. The number has also been recorded by Richie Remo.

Fergal Flaherty, who has lived in Tenerife for several years, has teamed up with Maria Butterly for a duet on Darling I Think You’re The Only One For Me. He is well known to many Irish visitors to the island and his strong Irish connections are with Longford and Drogheda. Fergal will perform shows in Dungloe on 27 and 28 July and the Headfort Arms Hotel in Kells on 29 July, along with guests Matt Leavy, Eddie Quinn and Maria Butterly.