The Bards play for Jack & Jill

LEGENDARY folk group Diarmuid O'Leary and The Bards, who are celebrating 30 years since their comedy single 'Julia at Lanigan's Ball' hit the number one spot, will play a special concert in aid of the Jack & Jill Foundation in the Ratoath Inn on Saturday 14th April. To mark the 30 year milestone, the group has released a new album and comedy single simultaneously. The single was inspired by a Diarmuid O'Leary interview with Ireland's Own and is aptly named 'The Cover of Ireland's Own', which is a parody on the 1973 Dr Hook hit, 'The Cover of the Rolling Stone'. The new album is a collection of 14 tracks of mostly new recordings, but also included are three of their best-known songs, 'Shaney Boy', 'The Old Dungarvan Oak' and the title track, 'The Railway Hotel'. Many believe that a key ingredient to the endurance and success of Diarmuid O'Leary and The Bards is their ability to perform a unique mixture of comedy and contemporary songs, along with classic ballads and a strong and exciting instrumental dimension. Other comedy tunes which have proved big hits are 'The Mother Tongue' and 'The Oldest Swinger in Town', all of which are on their 2007 'Comedy Hits' album.