A night to celebrate Christie Hennessy
AONGHUS McAnally, one of Ireland’s best known faces and voices in showbiz, is bringing a new show to Sligo.
He is a man of many hats - TV Presenter, Radio Presenter, Producer - but will be taking to the stage as a musician and friend when he brings his hugely successful show “Celebrating Christie Hennessy – The Platinum Collection” to the Hawk’s Well Theatre this Friday.
Aonghus will recreate the iconic sound of his close friend in a touching tribute to one of Ireland’s greatest singer-songwriters.
“It’s a wonderful show. You get Christie’s life story,” he told this newspaper.
“I had a very strong connection with Christie over the years and after he died in 2007 his family asked me to give his eulogy.
“It’s an emotional night, I speak like Christie, it’s a lovely warm, funny moving show. People are giving us standing ovations and coming back for several times,” he said.
Aonghus McAnally will play the guitar and keyboard and along with his musicians will perform new versions of Christie Hennessy’s biggest hits such as Don’t Forget Your Shovel, All The Lies That You Told Me, Messenger Boy, Oh Jealous Heart, If You Were To Fall (And I Was To Fall In Love With You), Remember Me and many more.
“I’m really looking forward to playing the Hawk’s Well in Sligo again. I played there with Shay Healy before, it’s a lovely intimate performance space,” said Aonghus.
One of Ireland’s most beloved singer-songwriters, Christie Hennessy delighted audiences at home and abroad until his tragic and untimely death in 2007, aged just 62.
Featuring all his best loved hits and the iconic Roll Back The Clouds – the evening with Aonghus showcases the storytelling brilliance of Christie Hennessy with 22 of his greatest songs.
“Through his music we get an insight into depression. Roll Back The Clouds talks about the reality of life in show business‘don’t phone us, we’ ll phone you’, waiting around for hours, being treated like dirt,” said Aonghus.
But there are plenty of love songs too to uplift audiences, such as Love’s Great Pretender says Aonghus.
“It’s a genuine privilege to share Christie’s incredible music with audiences around the country, and an honour to be part of keeping his spirit alive.
“Music fans want one more Christie gig, and to be able to recreate that magic for them is one of the most special feelings I’ve ever had on stage. Having played Christie before, maybe the greatest compliment I’ve ever received as a performer was when Christie’s wife Gill came to me after the show in tears, saying it’s like having Christie back again.”
Aonghus has been Series Producer on Joe Duffy’s Liveline for the last three years.
‘Celebrating Christie Hennessy: The Platinum Collection’ will perform at the Hawk’s