Donal Lunny in line up for Nenagh church concert

Donal Lunny, one of the towering figures in modern Irish music, and who for five decades has influenced and shaped a renaissance in Irish traditional music, will make what promises to be a memorable, not to be missed appearance in the special venue of Nenagh’s St Mary of the Rosary Church, on Saturday September 16, accompanied by a line-up of some of the country’s most outstanding musicians and composers.

The concert, being organised jointly by fundraisers Ballycommon Sponsored Ride and the A Team, a local charity running youth clubs for autistic children and young people in Nenagh, will also feature Shaun Davey, composer of the Brendan Voyage, and his wife, singer Rita Connolly, who interprets his fusion of Irish traditional and symphonic sounds, violinist Cora Venus Lunny and David Brophy, formerly conductor of the National Concert Orchestra and founder of the High Hopes Choir of homeless people who featured at last September’s concert.

The always popular In Tune for Life Orchestra, many of whom have recently been taking part in Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann in Mullingar, will also feature in the line-up on the night.

The proceeds of the concert will go to support the A Team charity in its aim to provide a permanent premises not only for autistic children and young people, but for all the youth of Nenagh and the area.

PIVOTAL FIGURE

Donal Lunny has been a pivotal figure and one of the most innovative and outstanding interpreters of Irish traditional and folk music for many decades. He is a founder member of Planxty, Moving Hearts and the Bothy Band, and has collaborated musically with the greats of modern Irish music, including Sinead O’Connor, Christy Moore, Mary Black, Paul Brady, Mick Hanly, Liam O’Flynn, Andy Irvine and Jimmy McCarthy.

Shaun Davey and Rita Connolly, the husband and wife composer and interpreters of the atmospheric and powerfully moving musical pieces the Brendan Voyage, Ripples in the Rockpools and the Special Olympics Anthem “May We Never Have To Say Goodbye”, are making a very special appearance in Nenagh as part of the concert line up. Rita Connolly, one of Ireland’s outstanding singers, with a distinctive and memorable voice, should not be missed.

Cora Venus Lunny, who at 16 was the youngest ever winner of the RTÉ Musician of the Future competition, has already had a stunning career both as a classical violinist and in her collaborations with, among others, the late Sinead O’Connor as a guest musician on Sinead’s “Sean Nós Nua” album. Cora has toured with the world-renowned musician Nigel Kennedy.

David Brophy, the former principal conductor of the RTÉ Concert Orchestra, is one of the leading conductors of his generation, and is also known to Nenagh audiences for his television series charting his support as a vocal coach for the High Hopes Orchestra who visited Nenagh for last year’s memorable concert. The inspiring story of how homeless people found their lives and experience being transformed by being part of a choir, has touched the hearts of many.

This year David comes to Nenagh as a performer and pianist and collaborator with Shaun Davey and Donal Lunny and will bring his inimitable spirit to what promises to be another memorable, not to be missed night in the very special venue of St Mary of the Rosary Church.

TICKETS

Tickets for the concert, at €50, can be purchased at Eason’s and Slattery’s in Nenagh and can be booked by ringing Albert on 087-243 0546, or from any member of the A Team Parents Group. Tickets include a wine and cheese reception before the concert at the venue.