The summer is here finally and the only reason I know that is because we’ve had so much rain over the past few days.
I hope it’s not stopping you going out and making the most of things though! It’s certainly not stopped me but it has put a damper on things quite literally.
I have had a really busy week this week but its all been good fun. Earlier in the week I was in a place called Brighouse which is in Yorkshire to do the filming of a television show called A Little Bit of Ireland.
The show is hosted by a lovely gentleman called Richard O’Brien who really made me feel welcome from the minute I arrived.
Because I was coming straight back to Derry Airport after the show, I didn’t bother bringing anyone along with me.
Instead I enjoyed the four and a half hour train journey from Glasgow to Brighouse with a pen and paper making a few plans for the coming months ahead.
Although it never really bothers me to travel alone to places, I was a little anxious to make sure I got on the right trains and buses or knowing my luck I could have ended back where I started.
The filming was on Tuesday evening and as well as myself on the show there was Alistair Coyles, Gerry Flanagan and the great Isla Grant.
It was my first time meeting all three of the other performers and we had a great laugh together. It was so interesting hearing all the stories Isla had to tell us about her life in general but most of all becoming so successful, as well as hearing Alistair singing for the first time, he has a great voice and a very good album which he has recently released.
And of course meeting Gerry for the first time was a pleasure, he really is a lovely man. The show will be aired on sky television at the beginning of next month which I’m excited to see but I will give you more details nearer the time.
Once I arrived back in sunny Donegal in one piece, it was back into the driver’s seat of the mini to clock up some more mileage.
Off I went to The TF Royal Theatre in Castlebar. You may remember I was in the TF when I was on tour with Crystal Swing and had a great night there.
I met some lovely people and the staff were all fantastic. So much so, that the manager contacted me to perform at a Charity Concert in aid of Temple Street, Children’s University Hospital Dublin which I was delighted I could attend.
Along with me was the excellent La Bamba, the legendary Frank McCaffrey and the hilarious Conal Gallen. So I was doing it for the girls that night and we really had a great night.
The place was packed and it was yet again a really successful night and I’m looking forward to going back again soon on the next tour with Crystal Swing next month.
After a quick recharge of the batteries, I was raring to go again, the only difference being that I had my two friends Aisling and Lisa over from Glasgow for the weekend which was brilliant. Although we talk a lot on the phone its great to spend some time with them and I was so glad they came over to see a few of my gigs.
The car was certainly never quiet that weekend, between the singing and laughing and chatting constantly it was great fun.
I took the girls to a festival in my third hometown we’ll call it – Falcarragh, where I was invited down by Pio McCann of Highland Radio to do an outside broadcast.
It was great to visit Falcarragh and see, all of those familiar faces who have supported me from day one and still continue to do so.
The broadcast was a great success and I even had my family in Glasgow listening in on their internet radios which was nice.
Once the festival came to a close in Falcarragh, it was on then to another one in Churchill that evening. This was my first time in Churchill but I had heard good reports about it. I performed with Jason McGilligan and his band.
Jason and his band are really professional and a lovely group of musicians who are doing great things around the country scene.
There were a number of artists performing on the night and I think the girls really enjoyed meeting all of them and snapping some pictures.
There was a brilliant crowd around and everyone looked to be having a good time as the sweat poured off them! That’s always a good sign.
This week I will be kept really busy, I will be in Dunfanaghy on Thursday 22nd July along with a host of fantastic artists including the lovely Benn Sisters and Shaun Loughrey.
Then I’ll be kicking off the start of our second tour with Crystal Swing in Kilross Co. Tipperary. I cant wait to see Mary, Dervla & Derek and all the gang again its been a while since we last seen each other. Finally my weekend will be finished in Dungloe.
I will be at the Dungloe Hospital Grounds raising funds for the hospital between 2.30pm-5.30pm so please come along and join in the craic if you are free, I’d love to see you there.
I have included a few snapshots I took over the past few weeks, I hope you like them.
Until next week, take care