Country Roads
Michael Commins
LONGFORD singer Declan Nerney, who will play in the McWilliam Park Hotel, Claremorris, on Friday night, likes to give a ‘vintage’ performances at all times. The man from Drumlish has a passion for old tractors, a hobby he shares with Big Tom McBride.
“I come from a farming background. I have two Dexters, a Major, a Ferguson 35 and a 1949 Ferguson petrol tractor, which would be extremely rare and may be the only one of its kind in the country. I have a great liking for the old tractors,” said Declan, when I spoke to him during the Mid West Radio ‘Night with the Stars’ concert in the TF, Castlebar, last week.
Declan’s recent DVD has been a runaway success, shifting in excess of 7,000 units in December alone and already earning him a gold disc for sales. “It features a nice variety of material and has been well received by the public. There are scenes from our shows around the country as well as bits of local folklore and a good bit of humour. I’ve a good auld silly sense of humour. There’s a good few locals from my area featured as well, and they are all having a good time.
“We’ve tried to capture some of the old rural ways. I’d be from that style of life and the Ireland that was at that time. I’m proud to be from that time. It gave us a great grounding and an appreciation for things.”
Speaking about his decision to make the DVD, he said: “I’d spent 15 years on the road, between playing with Brian Coll and Gene Stuart’s band, and at that stage it was time to move on or do something else. I could have left the business at the time but I recorded a tape of a few songs.
“Paul Claffey had the station going down in Ballyhaunis at the time. He started playing the tape, and there was a good reaction to it around Mayo and Roscommon. He became my first manager and put me on shows like ‘Come on Down, The Price is Right’, which was a big hit at the time in the Midas Club in Ballyhaunis. I put a band together, and we started doing dates further afield. He was the man who gave me that bit of encouragement,” says Declan.
Next month will see Declan and his band head to Spain, where they are headlining a special week of music. “We are honouring Philomena Begley for her contribution to the Irish country scene. Philomena has been a fair ambassador and definitely in our top 10 of all-time country entertainers – those who gave people a boost through the tough years. She has a great rapport with people and doesn’t mince her words. She’s herself.”
In early November, Declan will host his ‘Hooley in the Sun’, also in Spain. In the meantime, Declan plans on recording a new batch of material.
“‘Stop the World’ is probably my most requested song. But you always have to be willing to diversify somewhat. Too many people sat on the fence on their own saddle for too long and didn’t diversify at all. I still have the brass section. I suppose a lot of what we do is the country and Irish thing with a brass sound. I’ve been doing a bit of song writing and the Barry and Dunne song, about Margaret Barry and Pecker Dunne, is a tribute to two people who made significant contributions to the folk songs of this country. I co-wrote ‘Music and the Co Clare’ with PJ Murrihy, and that has been a very popular song on the radio stations.”
Moving away from music, Declan spoke about his other interests: “I know what I like myself. There’s no point in me saying I love golf when I much prefer watching hurling. It’s a great skill to watch. I didn’t stray out of the pot myself. I was a tough bit of a footballer. My club was Fr Manning Gaels, and I played a bit with Killoe at underage. I still love the football too.”
One thing that concerns Declan is the breakdown in discipline that has manifested itself so much on the streets of towns up and down the country in recent times. “There has to be a bit of discipline. We are now paying the price for being too casual about discipline, and now we are moving into an unknown area.
“There is definitely an unhappiness among many youngsters that wasn’t there in former years. I can see that among young people on the streets when we are going through the towns late at night. It’s all over the country, that element of disconnection. Some of them turn semi-savage. It’s a release of an expression they are feeling inside.
“I sat back in Waterford one night lately and watched a whole element of youngsters coming out – particularly girls – and if you were to take a video of it and show it to them the next day…they would be mortified. That scene wasn’t there in the ’70s and ’80s but it is there now.”
Declan Nerney and his band play the McWilliams Park Hotel, Claremorris on Friday, April 4. The dance starts at 11pm.
A week of entertainment and fun in sunny Spain
This year’s Paul Claffey Tours trip to Spain takes place from May 10 to May 17. Once again, those travelling will be flying out from Knock Airport to the sunny climes of the Cadiz region.
Paul says all concerned are looking forward to another memorable week.
“The Barrossa Park is a four-star hotel complex beside the beach front and it is by far the most popular of all our destinations. We’ve been there loads of times, and it’s always a winner with the music followers.
“We have Mike Denver and his band, Gary Gamble, Frank McCaffrey, comedy with Conal Gallen – and a few others as well. We have two flights going from Knock, the first on May 10 is booked out. We have a second flight on May 11 with places still available.
“There’s music every night and during the afternoon as well. The weather is nearly always top class, and we’re beside the beach.
“And for those who like a game of golf, there are two fabulous golf courses just a few minutes away. They were designed by Seve Ballesteros and Jack Nicklaus. We also have a showband nostalgia week at the same venue in September.”
There are only 30 places left, so book now to avoid disappointment. For further details, contact 094 9631040.
