Pub locals hit the right note with CD in aid of hospice

It may be the busiest time of the year for farmers but several took time out from making silage or saving turf to hit the recording studio for the release of a very special and unique CD which goes on sale this week.

On many Thursday nights, the ‘Mannion’s Bar Sessions’ take place in Abbeyknockmoy where mainly locals come together to ‘display their vocal skills – and now they have decided to put these talents to good use in aid of a worthy cause.

Apart from members of the farming community, the new album features singers from a diverse range of professions including a lorry driver, accountant, a politician, a builder, a landscaper and a barman who all feature prominently on the production entitled Down at Mannion’s Bar – a play on the Michael English song, Locklin’s Bar, with adapted lyrics focusing on local characters.

‘The gang’ have been coming together for the past couple of years on the Thursday nights for the sessions which have taken on a life of their own and regularly attract a small but loyal audience who thoroughly enjoy the entertainment provided. Naturally, proprietors Paddy Mannion and Gerry Delaney are fully supportive of their customers breaking into the recording world.

In the beginning, many of those who participated in the Mannion’s Sessions maybe knew a song or two, but in the intervening period they have expanded their repertoire considerably to the extent that several have more than 20 songs in their armoury.

It was during one of these sessions while they were all sitting around chatting, they collectively decided that should hit the recording studio and put their singing talents to the test and the end result has certainly impressed the album producer, Kenny Ralph of Sun Street Studios in Tuam.

All of the singers also agreed that any profits raised from the album, which will be launched in Mannion’s Bar on Wednesday night next (Galway Plate day), August 2, will go towards Galway Hospice.

Local musician, singer, songwriter and all-round character John P Keane, who released two albums also in aid of Galway Hospice, said that all the singers wanted to record an album and did so with great enthusiasm.

In the CD, John P. enlisted the backing talents of internationally renowned trad and folk musician, Michael McGoldrick, from Manchester, a regular visitor to the West of Ireland where his parents hail from. He plays six instruments including the Uillean Pipes, whistle and mandolin in the backing for a beautiful American Civil War ballad entitled Lincoln’s Army sung by John P.

“Some left the silage fields and the bogs to participate in the rehearsals and eventually the recording itself and they are very excited about the end product. They can’t wait for the launch and we all hope that it will be well received locally,” John P added.

The new 14-track album is a mixture of some well-known ballads and folk songs with a bit of traditional Irish music thrown in for good measure.

The performers on the album are locals Pat Crowe, Pat King, Tommy Coleman, Pete Roche, Tommy Gilmore, Christy Treacy, Vincent Watts, Kevin Walsh, Noel Keane, John P Keane and Francis Farragher while Michael Howley, from Dunmore, aka Burl Ives, makes up the list of ‘have a go’ singers.

The backing music is provided by Michael Tuttle, Michael Howley, Francis Fahy, Alisha Crowe, Pat Crowe, Kenny Ralph, Michael McGoldrick and John P Keane.

It features such classics as Red-Haired Mary, The Dutchman, Streets of London, The Fields of Athenry, the Kenny Rodgers’ hit Lucille, Lincoln’s Army and Streets of London among others.

“Around two or three years ago a number of locals came together for a sing-song and it just mushroomed from there. We now meet regularly every Thursday night and the numbers have steadily grown. The quality of singing has improved dramatically since we started and everyone has started to learn new songs. It is a tremendous outlet,” John P added.

■ All are welcome to the launch of the Down at Mannion’s Bar album in the Abbey Inn, Abbeyknockmoy, on Wednesday night, August 2 (Galway Plate Day) with Cool Country providing the music. Some of the CD artists will also be performing in what should be a great night of craic and ceoil. There is no cover charge but CDs will be available on the night for purchase at €10 with all proceeds going to Galway Hospice.