Comedy will be the order of the day when well known and much loved comedian Jon Kenny promises to bring a tear of laughter to the eye on Saturday July 11th. Formerly one half of the highly successful D’Unbelievables, Jon started his career as a front man for a glam rock band in the 1970s. From there his career path travelled through the varied arenas of acting - both stage and film, comedic and tragic; mime; dance; comedic characterisation and stand up. He has been amazingly successful in all these fields, winning numerous awards along the way. These include a meteor award for the biggest selling DVD and a nomination for the prestigious Irish Times Best Actor Award. His present show demonstrates his varied talents. With an astute eye for the ridiculous in modern life, Jon focuses on Ireland’s new characters, lambasting the emerging eccentricities of the 21st century. Considering how much bad news is about at present Jon’s unorthodox view of daily life is certain to lift the hearts of those in the audience.
June 17th - The Folk & Variety Club will feature Mike Hanrahan, Kieran Hanrahan & Tommy Hayes. At present all three are following diverse and independent careers. Last January Tommy and Mike joined their Stocktons Wing colleagues on stage in Ennis for the first Wing gig in over five years. They tell us that more are to come but the bills are paid by Mike as a prominent chef in Dublin these days. He spent many years as a solo artist with a number of fine albums to his credit and spent a few years working closely with the late Ronnie Drew. Tommy has been travelling his own musical road working with many notable musicians and singers across the country and beyond. His most recent project is a short film titled Apples in Winter, a tribute to the apple set to music co-written by Tommy. Kieran’s irons are in many fires these days. Along with continuing to play, he is a busy RTE broadcaster travelling the length of the country sourcing and presenting magnificent Traditional Irish music. He is also a respected record producer and has been working on many high profile projects in recent times including the critically acclaimed 100 years celebration album from the Kilfenora Ceili Band. Getting all three on stage on June 17th is a great achievement and is certain to be a major talking point in music circles.
The featured artist on Saturday 27th June will be Séan Keane. Seán, from Co.Galway, is described as the `greatest musical find of the 90`s` by `The London Independent`. Traditional Irish, folk and even country and blues songs all lend themselves to his unique style and unforgettable voice. Seán learned the sean-nós style of singing from his mother and his aunts. He is an accomplished whistle, flute, uilleann pipes and bodhraun player. `A Portrait`, a collection of Seán`s songs, is a multi-platinum Irish seller. All of his solo albums are platinum sellers and remain in constant demand. Six solo albums later, Seán Keane continues to delight audiences all over the world with his live performances and recorded work. He tours regularly with his band in Ireland, Austria, Germany, the US and Canada as well as appearing at major festivals world-wide. He has just finished touring with his Scattering show which received a huge welcome in many venues across Ireland and beyond.
On Saturday 4th July Bunratty Folk Park will reverberate to the sound of Andy Irvine. Andy has been hailed as "a tradition in himself." Musician, singer and songwriter, Andy has maintained both personal integrity and highly individual performing skills throughout his 40-year career. From Sweeney's Men in the mid sixties to the enormous success of Planxty in the 70s, to the Irish super group, Patrick Street, in the 80s, Andy has been a world music pioneer and icon for traditional music and musicians. Andy Irvine needs little introduction attracting him to Bunratty to play in the lovely relaxing and intimate setting of the Park is a superb vote of confidence in the concert series.
