Teaming up

Teaming up

Commins Calling
Michael Commins

MIDLANDS singer Michael English is looking forward to his new challenge as management impresario, Louis Walsh, takes over the reins for what is hoped will be an exciting new development in the Kildare man’s career.
Michael has submitted material to the London-based record company who will oversee his new album which is due for release next February. These days see Michael back and over to London on an almost weekly basis as the final selection of songs for the album get under way in earnest.
“Louis is happy with the kind of material with which I have become associated so you won’t see a huge change in that format. We will be hoping to do all the big theatres and he is very confident that things are moving nicely along the right track. After the release of the album, a major push will get under way for the follow-up series of concert dates. I’m really looking forward to the challenge,” Michael told me during the week.

Fr Paddy Kilcoyne honoured
THE people of Kiltimagh are making plans to honour Fr Paddy Kilcoyne on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood. Mass will be celebrated in the local church  on Friday, July 13 at 8pm and this will be followed by a get-together and social in the new Park Hotel.
Fr Paddy is a firm favourite in the Kiltimagh region where he has made an outstanding contribution to the community. A native of the Tubbercurry region, Fr Paddy was an accomplished footballer in his younger years and sported the Sligo colours in various grades. If Sligo were to win the Connacht senior title on Sunday, the Nestor Cup may well end up at the celebrations in Kiltimagh on Friday week!

Keith back in Claremorris
SOME weeks ago, the McWilliam Park Hotel in Claremorris held a nostalgia music night featuring Keith McDonald and the Showband Show. The event was a resounding success and there were several requests to run a similar venture again.
The good news is that Keith and the Showband Show are back at this popular venue next Sunday night, July 8, for another night of great music from back the years. The Athlone-based band are in big demand for various shows around the country as well as on some of the overseas music promotions which have taken on a life of their own in recent years.
The new single from Keith is ‘The Sea Shores of Old Mexico’, which was a sizeable hit many years ago for Hank Snow. It also helps to showcase the versatility of the current band. Dancing on Sunday night is from 10.30pm to 1am.

Highland Fling
FANCY a few days in Bonnie Scotland? A few seats have become available on a coach heading from Mayo to The Highland Fling celebrations in Scotland which runs from Thursday, September 6 to Tuesday 11. The crossing will be from Belfast to Stranraer.
The venture, in association with Enjoy Travel, features two nights in Edinburgh, followed by some nights in Avonmore and a Saturday night celebration in Inverness. Mick Kelly in Newport is looking after matters in these parts and he can be contacted at 087 9551087. Great fun guaranteed.

Shaun back in Bourke’s
SHAUN Loughrey is back in Bourke’s Lounge in Irishtown on Saturday night, July 7. Now based in Omagh, Shaun is in the process of recording material for his follow-up album to his debut collection which proved a popular success for the Manchester-born singer.
Taking many people by surprise, Shaun decided to follow in the footsteps of his dad, the great Johnny Loughrey, following the death of the country legend at the age of 59. Shaun’s mother, Mary (nee Kirrane from Feamore, Irishtown), died two months after her husband. Both had been coping with illnesses for some time.
Many of Shaun’s friends from the western region will be heading to Irishtown for the dance on Saturday night. No doubt, many of his relations in the area, including his grandfather, Willie Kirrane, will be there to lend their support. Dancing is from 10.30pm to 12.30am.

Brose Walsh Band in Enniscrone
GET in the summer mood with the sounds of the Brose Walsh Band at Enniscrone every Thursday night. The Belcarra-based band commence their summer residency in the Porter House (formerly the Castle Arms Hotel) on Thursday night, July 5, and will perform at this venue every Thursday night in July and August with dancing from 10pm to 12.30am.
The Brose Walsh Band was launched back in 1937 by the late Brose who played his first date in French Hill hall just outside Belcarra. This is the 70th anniversary of the founding of Ireland’s longest running band and they continue to take their shows to all parts of the country week after week. It’s some record! 

Flock to the Lough
THE Flock to the Lough returns to Monasteraden, four miles from Ballaghaderreen, this coming weekend. On Friday night, the excellent Outlaws will provide a feast of top class country music for dancers in the spacious marquee located in Coen’s Field. The band features Diane Treanor and Sean Hughes while the six piece combination now includes Tom Hanly, an American bluegrass musician who lends further appeal to a band that are gaining new friends all over the country. Dancing is from 11.30pm to 1.30am.
Mick Flavin and his band are playing at the marquee on Saturday night. They recently enjoyed a great night at the newly-opened Ierne Ballroom in Dublin.

Urlaur Pattern
THE annual Urlaur Pattern will be held in the scenic East Mayo village on Saturday, August 4. The committee are currently putting the finishing touches to their plans for the long running event which is a well established tradition in the area.
Patsy Haugh and the Phoenix Showband will provide music throughout the afternoon while Kay and the Country Stars will perform in Urlaur Community Centre for the Pattern Dance later that night.

Patrick Feeney’s new album
SLIGO’S Patrick Feeney, fresh from his week in Spain, releases a brand new album this week. ‘Gentle On My Mind’ is a 13-track compilation named after the Glen Campbell hit of former years.
Patrick was joined by a few hundred friends and supporters for the Gurteen Goes to Spain week in the sun. Brendan Shine and a host of other names were with the young Sligo entertainer for what was a memorable week overseas.
The new album includes a mixture of the old and the new with such favourites as ‘My Old Sligo Home’, ‘Beneath the Weeping Willow’, ‘Only Make Believe’, and ‘Sing Me Lovely Leitrim’ among the chosen numbers. There’s also ‘Barleyhill’, a song that is very popular for Armagh duo, Limelite, while the Bill Roberts composition, ‘There’s A Moon Over Ireland’, is also included on the album.

Safe Start say thanks
KILTIMAGH native Tom Beisty has been much to the fore in promoting Mayo and Irish-related issues in London for many years. Tom has served in various capacities with the Mayo Association in London and continues to be a leading light in many of the social ventures undertaken by the Association.
Tom and friends inaugurated the Safe Start Foundation some years ago and it has done immense work since those early days. Last Friday week, a major fund raiser in support of the Foundation was held at Carne Golf Course beside Belmullet and Tom and friends were delighted with how things worked out. While listening to my show on Mid West Radio last Wednesday night, Tom emailed the following message with words of thanks for people in the region:
“I’m sitting listening to you on the internet. How Mid West Radio and Knock Airport have made Mayo closer. Thanks to the many people who helped make the Safe Start Foundation’s All Ireland Golf Day a huge success. We had a great day at Carne. The weather was kind, the press and Mid West Radio were brilliant, and the company of those who played on the day was just wonderful.
“The helicopter team, with a monumental effort, set a world record for playing all four links courses - Portrush, Baltray, Ballybunion and Carne in one day.
“On behalf of everyone at the Safe Start Foundation and the elders  whom we endeavour to assist, a huge heartfelt thank you. We will be indebted to you for many a moon for making a fund raising dream a reality.”
Good to hear from you, Tom, and long may you and your friends continue to do such good work in London.

Buckley’s big hit
WHEN Henry McMahon wrote ‘Your Wedding Day’ for Jimmy Buckley, he could scarcely have visualised how popular the song would become in a short time. It went on to become Jimmy’s biggest hit song and is now featured by many wedding bands at the reception dances.
In response to some requests, we include the words of the song in this week’s column.

Your Wedding Day by Henry McMahon
1). The first time I saw you I loved you with all of my heart
The first time I held you I knew some day we would part
Next Saturday morning in church I’ll give you away
In my eyes happy tears I can’t on your wedding day.

Chorus:
It’s hard to imagine a baby so tiny and small
Is now a young lady of beauty so pretty and tall
I know you’ll look lovely in your wedding dress and bouquet
When you walk down the aisle with your husband on your wedding day.

2). Your mother she nursed through many a heartache and pain
And if you were to ask her she’d do it all over again
She’s watched you grow into the woman that you are today
She’s so happy and proud of her daughter on her wedding day.

Repeat Chorus:

3).The man you will marry I’ll be proud to call him my son
He’s your partner in life you have chosen above everyone
I know he loves you and cares for you every day
Like your mother and I cared for you in the very same way.

Repeat Chorus:

The late Bertie Coleman, Dunmore
MANY tributes have been paid to Bertie Coleman of Dunmore who died recently. Bertie was an institution in Galway GAA circles and was synonymous with the Dunmore MacHales club which he served in various capacities over the decades.
A man steeped in the traditions of the GAA, Bertie was to the forefront of Galway football for many years and had a great love for the game and for his beloved club and county. His name was intertwined with Dunmore MacHales and he has been credited with being one of the foremost pioneers of the All Ireland Club Championships which have become an integral part of the GAA calendar in the last three decades.
Whenever I sought some information or guidance in relation to Dunmore or the GAA in that region, I always found Bertie to be ever helpful and courteous. He had a wealth of knowledge of his district and he was generous in sharing his time in helping with any queries directed his way. He was truly and institution in Dunmore and Galway football. May he rest in peace. Our condolences to the Coleman family on their sad bereavement.

Mick Flavin for Digger Jay’s
MICK Flavin and his band are back in Digger Jay’s of Ayle on Friday night, July 6. The man from Longford is currently celebrating 20 years on the circuit, having launched his country career back in 1987.
Last year, he led a large group of supporters on a memorable trip to Nashville which also took in visits to many of the places associated with country music in the Tennessee region.
A special celebration in honour of the 20th anniversary was held recently in Spain where Mick was joined by colleagues and followers for the week long festivities. Mick and the lads are also playing at the Flock to the Lough in Monasteraden, Co Sligo on Saturday night.