‘Johnny’ & ‘June’ rock Clogheen

This year’s Rhododendron Walking Festival in Clogheen kicked off with a sell out Johnny Cash tribute show. Promoted as ‘Cash Returns’, it featured J.P. McCauley (Johnny Cash) and Karen Martin (June Carter Cash).

According to organisers, they could have ‘sold a load more’ tickets such was the demand. Those lucky enough to be in the audience were treated to several hours of classic hits courtesy of the legendary duo - Cash, a pilot turned country and western star, famously asked June Carter to marry him on stage.

Speaking after the show, J.P. said the Irish public had a deep connection with ‘The Man In Black’ and this was reflected in audience feedback.

“We had an unbelievable time with the show, Clogheen has been fantastic, it’s an incredible part of the country, I can’t say enough about it,” he said.

ST. PAUL’S GOES COUNTRY

St. Paul’s Community Centre (a former place of worship) had a ‘ country’ feel to it and fortunately the fine evening/ night last Friday allowed for outdoor refreshments to be served. Organisers are grateful to The Market Stone Restaurant for their assistance in this regard. Some cowboy/girl hats, a ‘Wanted’ poster or two, plus plenty of comfortable hay bales, were all nice touches.

NOW FOR SOME WALKING

The Rhododendron Festival is first and foremost a walking festival and hikes commence in earnest this Friday evening (2nd June) with a trip to Glengarra Wood. Things go up a notch or two on Saturday (3rd) with walkers having a choice of 10km, 12km or the Bay Lough to Ballyporeen trek covering a route of 23.2km. There’s more of the same on Sunday. With temperatures expected to soar, hydration will be vital.

It’s been a brilliant start of the Rhododendron Festival and this trend is set to continue over the bank holiday weekend.

(Pic: John Ahern) L-r: Agnes Maher (Clogheen), Steve Gahan (Glanworth), Teresa Dwane (Kilbehenny) and Jimmy Maher (Clogheen) who were brilliantly entertained by the Johnny Cash tribute show in Clogheen last Friday night.

(Pic: John Ahern) Joan O’Mahoney, right, representing The Market Stone Restaurant, pictured with Karen Martin (June Carter Cash) and Des Cunningham, following last Friday night’s very successful show.

Ahern) (Pic: John Locals, l-r: Evelyn Meaney, Imelda Maher and Brenda Heffernan, had a great time at last Friday night’s Johnny Cash tribute show in Clogheen.

(Pic: John Ahern) L-r: Ann Cotter, Liz Casey, Pauline O’Brien, Shirley Flynn and Anne Kennedy, who were in Clogheen last Friday night for the Johnny Cash tribute show, ‘Cash Returns’.

(Pic: John Ahern) Lynn O’Brien, Maureen O’Donoghue-Burke and Marie Burke who attended last Friday night’s sell out Johnny Cash tribute show.