Saint George’s Arts and Heritage Centre in Mitchelstown has announced its most ambitious and exciting autumn programme since its establishment almost five years ago.
The newest Board member at the Centre, Thomas Hyland, a well-known local businessman, has taken on the role as Director of Entertainment. Working tirelessly but with enormous enthusiasm, he has brought together a varied and attractive series of events, which will ensure readers have lots of entertainment options heading into the winter evenings.
As well as arranging this line-up of events, the Board of Directors has been busy coordinating the imminent arrival of a modern heating system to the venue, which will be installed in the coming weeks and will greatly add to the comfort and enjoyment of audiences for this forthcoming series of concerts.
RED HURLEY
The first name needs no introduction – Red Hurley takes to the stage on Friday, 15th September at 8pm. Hurley is one of Ireland’s most enduring popular singers whose career has spanned several decades from the 1970s to the present day.
He is principally known as a solo artist, although he has performed with various bands and pop groups most notably, in 1976 he represented Ireland at the Eurovision Song Contest with the song ‘When’. A formidable live performer, he tours regularly, performing at some of Ireland’s principal concert venues. Red is considered to be one of the finest performers Ireland has ever produced and tickets are already selling fast for this unmissable concert.
CULTURE NIGHT
Friday, September 22nd is Culture Night throughout Ireland. Mitchelstown is one of the key centres for events in County Cork that evening. Saint George’s is delighted to welcome The Whileaways – a Galway based rock/indie/trad/folk band for a concert commencing at 8pm. Noelie McDonnell, Noriana Kennedy and Nicola Joyce are accomplished singers and songwriters, who had each toured and recorded extensively with their separate projects before coming together as a band.
The trio been nominated for Best Group and Best Album in the RTÉ Folk Awards and have recently launched their fourth album titled ‘In all honesty’. The band are renowned for their live performances.
While all Culture Night Events are free, patrons must book through Eventbrite due to limited seating capacity.
LIAM O’MAONLAÍ
Hothouse Flowers frontman Liam O’Maonlaí plays an intimate show Saint George’s Arts and Heritage Centre Friday, 6th October at 8pm. Ó Maonlaí is one of the most talented, charismatic and soulful performers of Irish traditional music today.
But his musical prowess goes beyond his own cultural roots as he blends an eclectic mix of folk, blues, gospel, soul, rock, and more with his amazing vocals and an array of instrumental mastery from piano to flute, harmonica to bodhran.
Since first bursting onto the scene in the 1980’s with his band Hothouse Flowers, Liam has captured the attention of audiences, critics and musicians alike. As a solo performer as well as frontman of Hothouse Flowers, Liam continues to wow audiences worldwide reinventing himself with each performance.
MICK HANLY IN CONCERT
Well known Limerick, singer-songwriter Mick Hanly takes to the stage on Saturday, 21st October at 8pm. Hanly is inspired by mid-50s rock ‘n’ roll and the Liverpool beat group scene of the Sixties. He is inspired by American folksingers such as, Woody Guthrie, Leadbelly, and emerging singer songwriters.
However on first hearing Planxty he immediately fell in love with this fresh take on Irish traditional music. His album ‘All I Remember’ spawned the song ‘Past the Point of Rescue’, which was a huge hit in the US for country singer Hal Ketchum. His songs have been covered by Christy Moore, Mary Black, Dolores Keane, Delbert McClinton, etc and he continues to write with a freshness and vitality that few can match.
NOVEMBER SHOWS
An Evening with Frances Black is on Saturday, 4th November at 8pm. Frances needs no introduction, she is an award winning Irish singer, songwriter, and politician. Born in Dublin, Ireland, she has left an indelible mark on the Irish music scene and has been a prominent voice for social justice and advocacy.
Frances Black’s musical journey began in the late 1980s when she joined the traditional Irish music group called Arcady. Beyond her musical accomplishments, Senator Frances Black has consistently used her platform to advocate for various social causes. This concert is expected to sell out fast.
Aindrias de Staic returns to Saint George’s after last year’s Fit-Ups Festival success. His newest show ‘By the Light of the Silvery Moon’ will be performed on Saturday, 11th November at 8pm.
Leading a revival in new Irish storytelling, Aindrias de Staic’s rhythmic and energetic approach to storytelling has won many awards in recent years, including an All-Ireland medal at the Fleadh Cheol in Mullingar and a Celtic Media Award 2018 in Wales.
Tickets to all these events are available now through Eventbrite and also in local outlets – Reidy’s Kitchen Market, The Favourite and Roche’s Spar. Patrons can now call Stacey in the Saint George’s office on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 9-5pm and Thursday until 1pm on 087-4696913 for any event bookings or call 087-8113611.
Patrons are reminded that the Centre is a ‘Bring your own Bottle’ venue, hospitality and a convivial atmosphere is at the core of the Saint George’s experience.
