Mary Coughlan to kick off autumn shows at Riverside Park

THERE’S a programme packed full of entertainment at Riverside Park Hotel this autumn and winter with a lively mix of music, local talent, nostalgia, theatre and dance.

It’s all hosted by the Lee Valley Enterprise Board and profits from the shows will go back into local projects, including the restoration of the Church of Ireland in Macroom to create a cultural & tourism amenity which will hugely benefit the area.

The first big name in the autumn schedule Mary Coughlan in Concert and the celebrated singer will take to the stage on Friday, September 8, with the show starting at 8pm.

Mary Coughlan has one of Ireland’s most distinctive voices and her voice effortlessly straddles jazz, blues, chanson and pop.

Then for three consecutive days starting on October 6, there’ll be special performances of hit musical Grease.

Auditions for the popular musical Grease will take place on August 20 at The Riverside Park Hotel at 5pm. All youths in the Lee Valley region are welcome to attend the auditions. This exciting musical production will be directed by Margo Carlisle of the Carlisle Stage School Cork. All enquiries can be forwarded to Ann Dunne at ann@macroom.ie.

Then on Friday, October 27; Saturday, October 28 and Sunday, October 29, the world premiere of the new musical ‘Sir Henry’ will take place. Based on true events, this show tells the farcical story of the misadventures of Sir Henry Browne Hayes, the notorious play boy who sought to gain the hand of the young heiress Mary Pike as a sure cure to his financial woes by nefarious means.

See how one man’s actions caused scandal throughout the British Empire in 1797, under the palpable tension of insurrection in Ireland and set against the backdrop of revolution in France and America.

Written by the hugely talented Alan Kiely and Kevin Connolly and directed by the brilliant Cathal Mac Cabe (RTE), another hit is in store.

Auditions will take place in late August, full information to be confirmed shortly.

Shawn Cuddy & Friends will be in concert on Friday, November 3. Known as one of the most hardworking in the business, Shawn and his band have been performing for over 25 years with numerous awards and hit singles to their name.

Joining them on the night will be some special guests who will be announced very shortly.

If you like 60s and 70s music, then ‘Walking back to Happiness’ will be your thing on Saturday November 11.

The show looks back with great fondness, at memorable hits from the 60’s and 70’s and beyond. You will want to sing along and stomp your feet and clap your hands in time with some great tunes like, ‘Downtown’ – ‘I Only Want to be With You’ – ‘These Boots are Made for Walking’ – ‘Puppet on a string’ – ‘River Deep Mountain high’ and ‘Goldfinger’.

On Saturday, November 18, it’s the turn of Aonghus McAnally who will be ‘Celebrating Christie Hennessy’. In this all-new show, celebrated entertainer Aonghus McAnally brings the Hennessy songbook to life with his uncanny recreation of his close friend Christie’s voice and guitar playing.

And heading into December it’s the turn of Ruaile Buaile on Saturday, December 2. They return after a powerful fast paced performance last Spring.