Don McLean just one of several big gigs in Wexford
WEXFORD will be alive with the sound of music over the coming months as a wave of stars perform across the county.
Legendary singer songwriter Don McLean will perform in the National Opera House on Tuesday, May 29, at 8 p.m.
McLean is renowned for his multiple hits including ‘American Pie’ (which was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame and named the fifth greatest song of the 20th Century by the NEA-RIAA), ‘And I Love You So’, ‘Empty Chairs’ and ‘Vincent’.
In 2011 Don performed at the Glastonbury Festival and in 2014 he performed for 30,000 at the Stagecoach Festival, one of the premier country music events in the US.
Tickets for the gig are on sale now.
As part of the Wexford Winterland Festival there are a number of musical and comedy gigs taking place over the festive season.
Wexford favourite, Jack L, will perform his ‘Magic Days at Christmas’ show in the spectacular surrounds of St. Iberius Church on Thursday, December 28. With the combination of a stunning baritone voice in an iconic venue, this promises to be a magic night at Christmas.
This very special Christmas show will feature festive classics along with key tracks from his new, self-penned album, ‘Magic Days’ and also favourites from his extensive back catalogue.
Meanwhile in the Crown Live, Mick Flannery will perform two standing gigs with his band on December 29 and 30 with Saturday night already a sell out.
Performing hits from his current album ‘I Own You’, along with old favourites, these standing gigs are sure to be a hit.
Wexford’s own Corner Boy will perform a very special New Year’s Eve gig in the Crown Live to ring in the New Year.
On Friday, January 5, Neil Delamere will take to the stage in Clayton Whites Hotel with his hilarious new show, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Pensioner, inspired by his Dad.
Tickets for these Winterland gigs are available from lantern.ie or the Box Office at 1 North Main Street.
On January 6 Irish legends The Fureys return to the National Opera House for another great night of Irish Music, songs and stories.
The group will perform their timeless classics including ‘When you were sweet 16’ and ‘The Green fields of France’ plus songs from their new CD ‘The Times they are a changing’
The High Kings will perform at the Opera House on January 12 where they will perform a wide range of songs.
Also on January 6 comedian Brendan Grace will perform in the Riverside Park Hotel, Enniscorthy.
Brendan’s latest show features some brand new material and some ‘Old Favourites’ from his vast repertoire over the last 40 years. His sense of timing and ability to read an audience is without equal. A brilliant character actor, his ‘Bottler’ character is legendary and is now featured at every performance. The genial Dubliner has a very special bond with Irish audiences and is much loved by young and old not least because he gives very generously of his time after each concert. The ‘Meet and Greet’ is now very much part and parcel of each show and Brendan’s very down to earth approach is much appreciated by all.
On January 11 snooker player Steve Davis will be at the Riverbank House Hotel for a night of snooker to remember Frank Sinnott.
Steve will take on a number of local players including Rodney Goggins with the profits going to local charities - the Wexford branch of the The National Council For The Blind and the Collective Sensory group.
On January 12 Charlie Landsborough will perform in the Riverside Park Hotel, Enniscorthy.
Charlie is well known for keeping concert goers enthralled with his heartfelt and telling lyrics and his very human anecdotes.
One song in particular was to transform his life - What Colour is the Wind which tells the story of a young blind child’s attempts to envision the world.
On January 13 comedian Jason Byrne will come to the National Opera House with his brand new show, The Man with Three Brains.
This highly acclaimed new show shows how Jason has three brains which kick into action when he hits the stage. His left brain scans the audience and room, looking for improv moments. His right brain collates stand-up material and stunts, poised to dish out the funnies at speed. His centre brain is Jason’s coach, pushing him to the limit.
This show will peel back the madness inside Jason Byrne’s head to reveal all three brains working individually.
On January 14 four leading lights of Irish trad join forces at the Opera House. At the forefront of the Irish music scene for over 25 years, Niamh Parsons, Ciaran Tourish, Liam Kelly and John Doyle are renowned for their musical talents.
Reeling in the Showband Years returns to the National Opera House on January 20. RTE’s Ronan Collins will host and perform along side Red Hurley, Gina from The Champions, Dave Lawlor, Keith and Lorraine McDonald, The Conquerors as well as Tommy and Jimmy Swarbrigg.
On February 2 Keith Barry will perform in the Ashdown Park Hotel, Gorey.
In this brand new show Keith will bring never seen before magic illusions to life and deliver his unique blend of comedy, magic, mentalism and hypnotism.
Also on February 2 in the National Opera House Tommy Fleming will take to the stage.
Tommy is regarded as one of the finest singers worldwide and is currently enjoying a hugely successful career. After 25 years honing his craft, Tommy is now taking his place at the forefront of popular music across the globe.
On February 3 Dara Ó Briain is back on tour with his new show ‘Voice of Reason’ performing for first time ever in the National Opera House.
Already a huge star in Ireland where he produced and presented the hit TV live comedy review show The Panel, Dara has now moved from being a sold-out festival favourite in Edinburgh, to selling out theatres across the UK and Ireland as well as mainstream television success.
On February 9 Russell Watson, the UK’s best-selling classical crossover artist of all time returns to the stage of the National Opera House with Songs from The Heart, featuring a stunning collection of our best loved songs along with tracks from his new studio album True Stories.
Russell Watson has performed for Her Majesty the Queen, The Pope and two US Presidents.
Eddi Reader will be in the National Opera House on February 10 as part of a nationwide tour.
With her captivating and powerful performance, Eddi Reader has effortlessly developed into one of popular music’s most thrilling and affecting performers.