Frank McCaffrey to be honoured at big Mayo music show in Castlebar tonight

WESTPORT music legend, Frank McCaffrey, will be honoured with a special presentation making 50 years on the showbiz circuit at the Transatlantic Journey Home Night in the TF Royal Theatre in Castlebar tonight, Friday, May 24. The concert is in association with Mayo County Council and Home to Mayo.

The show will also feature Stephen Doherty and Band, Johnny McEvoy, Garron Noone, the Dawn Doherty Academy of Irish Music, Mayo Male Voice Choir, Wild Atlantic Dancers, Mayo Pipe and Harp Ensemble, and Niall Conway and Eve Garavan (Ballinrobe Musical Society).

Johnny McEvoy, one of Ireland’s most respected ballad, folk and country singers, will also be the recipient of a special award as well as Alan Clarke from Castlebar, the well known radio presenter who has a major following on social media.

Frank McCaffrey’s first venture into the showbiz scene was when he joined a band led by the late Basil Morahan from Louisburgh (known to many as Dan the Street Singer) and later with Pat Friel and The Frielmen.

It was his time with Margo and The Country Folk that saw his profile spread countrywide. He played guitar and got the chance to sing many songs at shows all over Ireland and especially on their many trips to England where the young man from Mayo went down a treat.

Country music has always held a special place in Frank’s repertoire and among his main influences on the American scene were Merle Haggard and George Jones.

“I often think how lucky I have been to have featured on the same shows as George Jones and Tom Jones. I performed with George on his shows in Castlebar and Letterkenny some years ago. “I also had the honour of meeting Tom Jones when we both featured on Gerry Kelly’s Show on UTV in Belfast back the years. I sang More Than Yesterday on that show and Tom was such a gentleman to all us guests that night. Sharing stages with Stonewall Jackson and Jim Ed Brown from America are also special memories.”

The hosts for the show in Castlebar on Friday night are Henry McGlade and Eibhlín Ní Chonghaile. It starts at 8pm and tickets can be had from the TF Royal Theatre box office and on the door on the night.