Omaonlai and mcgettigan for johnstons festival
The fifth annual Johnstons Folk Music Festival in Slane will take place this year from 9th to 13th September and all festival events will take place in the picturesque village over the festival period. There are nine music events taking place in various venues with two headline concerts, one featuring Liam O’Maonlai in Boyle's on Thursday night 10th September and the second will see Charlie McGettigan perform in St Patrick’s Church of Ireland on Saturday 12th September.
Liam O’Maonlai is best known as a member of Hothouse Flowers who perform regularly at venues across Ireland and Europe, but he also is an accomplished solo performer in his own right. A fluent Irish speaker, he is a songwriter, singer and musician of the top order. His preferred instruments are guitar, keyboards and bodhran. O’Maonlai has several studio recordings under his belt to great success. Tickets for this event are on sale at Boyles of Slane, contact Andrew on 087-2507358.
Charlie McGettigan, a resident of Drumshambo, Co Leitrim, is a popular figure at festivals in Ireland and abroad. He is of course best remembered for his duet with Paul Harrington when they won the 1994 Eurovision Song Contest with their song Rock ‘n Roll Kids, a piece composed by Brendan Graham. He recently performed with former Johnstons member Mick Moloney in Drumshambo for an unscheduled concert in the Lough Allen Hotel and he is sure to attract a full house in Slane. McGettigan also has several studio albums recorder over the years and features regularly on radio and TV. Tickets for this concert are available at the Hub Office, Slane, on 041-982400.
Other events during the festival include traditional Irish music sessions in the Boyne Valley Inn (former home place of The Johnstons folk group), the Village Inn and in Boyles of Slane, while a family fun Saturday afternoon will take place at Slane Credit Union. In the parish hall on Sunday 13th September, a variety concert featuring many young stars from Slane, take to the stage at 7 pm. A festival charity walk in aid of Temple Street Childrens Hospital and the Slane Community Centre project will take place on the Saturday of the festival, starting at noon at the ramparts in Navan.